1. National Conference on Ending Homelessness
4.05 Better for You, Better for Them: Evaluating Your PSH
July 18, 2017
Using Data to Evaluate and improve permanent supportive housing programs
Teresa Pittman, LCSW
HUD-VASH Regional Coordinator
VHA Homeless Programs

2. Disclaimer
This segment discusses internal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reporting mechanisms and strategies for improvement using VA permanent supportive housing (PSH) resources. Audience members should focus on general themes and strategies when reflecting on how to implement these practices with non-VA resources.

3. Topics Thinking about Data
Overview of Currently Available HUD-VASH Reports
Discussion of Common Improvement Strategies
Exercise: Interpreting Data to Identify Opportunities for Improvement
PDSA Framework for Improvement

4. When you hear the word “data” what do you see?
Thinking about Data
When you hear the word “data” what do you see?

5. Data Tells Stories

6. What stories do your data tell? How can you make those stories better?
Data Tells Stories
What stories do your data tell? How can you make those stories better?

7. Currently available hud-vash reports

8. What is HUD-VASH?
The Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by VA. With over 85,000 vouchers allocated, HUD-VASH is the largest PSH program in the country targeting chronically homeless and vulnerable Veterans. Because HUD-VASH provides for Veterans with medical, mental health and/or substance use disorders, eligible Veterans must be able to complete activities of daily living and live independently in the community with case management and supportive services.

9. HUD-VASH Evaluation Metrics
These evaluation metrics focus on key performance indicators, including:
Percentage of vouchers in lease-up status.
Percentage of Veterans moving into housing within 90 days of entry.
Percentage of Veterans exiting for “negative reasons”.
Percentage of employable Veterans who are currently employed.

10. HUD-VASH Voucher Utilization
The Voucher Utilization report provides insight into where Veterans are in the housing process as well as how many vouchers are available for use.

11. HUD-VASH Housing Processing Times Reports
The Processing Times report provides insight into how long it takes Veterans to reach the various milestones in the housing process. This report also provides a break down of chronically homeless and non-chronically homeless Veteran milestones.

12. HUD-VASH Census Reports
The Census report provides a general overview of all Veterans currently participating in HUD-VASH and includes information such as: current case manager, current PHA assigned, chronic homeless status at entry, move-in date, employment status, and others.

13. HUD-VASH Exit Reports
The Exit report provides a general overview of Veterans exiting HUD-VASH during a given period. It provides insight into where Veterans exit to as well as their reasons for exit.

14. Telling the HUD-VASH Story
Evaluation Metrics
Climax
Voucher Utilization
Falling Action
Rising
Action
Exits
Census
Resolution
Processing
Times
Exposition

15. Common Improvement Strategies

16. Common Improvement Strategies
Increase Efficiency or Streamline Processes
Improve Service Quality and Outcomes
Improve Data Quality and Accuracy
Standardize Processes or Reduce Variation
Increase Customer and Employee Satisfaction
Increase Access to Services
Increase Capacity or Improve Collaboration

17. Interpreting Data to Identify Opportunities for Improvement

18. What’s the story?

19. What’s the story?

20. What’s the story?

21. PDSA for Improvement

22. PDSA Framework for Improvement
PLAN a test and predict the results.
DO the test and observe the outcomes.
STUDY the data and compare with your predictions.
ACT on the learnings to develop the next test.
Start with small changes.

23. Decreasing Discharges Due to Eviction
We think we can reduce discharges due to eviction by implementing a supervisory review prior to discharge.
PLAN – During the month of August, HUD-VASH Supervisors will review all proposed eviction discharges to explore opportunities for rehousing. We predict that this will lead to 3 fewer discharges this month due to eviction.
DO – During August, we completed supervisory reviews for 8 Veterans facing eviction. Of the 8 Veterans reviewed, 7 were able to be reengaged and rehoused, while 1 Veteran was unable to be reengaged and was subsequently discharged.
STUDY – The supervisory review exceeded expectations. 7 Veterans were successfully rehoused and avoided discharge.
ACT – Develop plan to implement a similar supervisory review for Veterans facing discharged due to non-compliance.

24. HUD-VASH Regional Coordinator
Contact
Teresa Pittman, LCSW
HUD-VASH Regional Coordinator