Meeting national information needs on homelessness: Partnerships in developing, collecting and reporting homelessness services statistics Geoff Neideck Australian Institute of Health and Welfare IAOS 2014

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3 Background Australian Institute of Health and Welfare National housing and homelessness reforms – National Affordable Housing Agreement – National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness Improved evidence base and performance measures Transition from SAAP National Data Collection to Specialist Homelessness Services Collection

4 The Challenge Develop new homelessness services NMDS – Client-based data – Needs > services > outcomes model Develop national performance indicators Develop new client management system Very tight timetable from October 2010 – SHSC to commence 1 July 2011 – Sector consultations, system rollout & training

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SHSC Project Stakeholders 6 AIHW

SHSC Project Stakeholders 7 AIHW 1 2

8 Partnership 1 AIHW and governments State and Territory arrangements: AIHW undertaking data collection directly from service providers Superior quality data – consistent data collection and validation Economies achieved through centralised processing

9 Partnership 2 AIHW and private sector Information systems provider: State/territory governments supported client management system (CMS) AIHW engaged to supply CMS Company focus on social justice to strengthen community organisations through information technology

10 Specialist Homelessness Information Platform (SHIP) AIHW developed business and functionality specifications in consultation SHIP requirements 1.data collection tool for monthly homelessness collection 2.client need assessment, case management, monitoring client outcomes, real-time reports

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13 Support period form Entire presenting unit is listed to assist data entry Coloured tabs indicate incomplete fields Pink tabs include required fields

14 Health - disability flag Link to definitions from SHS collection manual Link to Q & As

15 SHIP reports screen

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17 SHIP user satisfaction

SHSC – improved evidence base 59% female, 41% male Over half aged 18–44 (55%) Over a quarter (27%) under 18 years 15% aged under 10 More females in all age groups except those aged under 10 Similar numbers in youngest and oldest age groups (>14 or 55+) 18 SHS Clients by age and sex, 2012 ‒ 13

19 Partnership benefits Securing continued supply of high quality data Development of more relevant and richer evidence base on homelessness services Ensuring business continuity for minimal cost to NGOs

20 Partnership success factors Maintaining independence of data agency in providing objective advice Working closely with policy makers at early stages and throughout the process Engaging private sector suppliers - drawing on expertise Embedding data collection in data providers business processes

21 SHSC Annual Reports

22 Housing outcomes report – Oct 2014