1. Kelly King Horne, Homeward
From data to action: using system performance measures to drive change & reduce homelessness
Kelly King Horne, Homeward

2. Greater Richmond Continuum of Care
Established in 1997
Homeward was created in 1998 to facilitate the CoC funding program
More than $4.5 million in HUD funds targeted to homelessness each year; $1.6 million in state funds
2017 PIT = 662 (down from 1150 in & 2009)
Region = approx. 1.3 million individuals (560K households)
Poverty rate > 20%
AMI= $69K
Map retrieved from

3. From data to action: steps & examples
Getting and trusting data
Training partners on meaning and use of data for system change
Be skeptical together: running reports; correcting reports
Be nosy together: collectively question data analysis
Looking for insights
Keys to everything: Governance, Policies, Funding, Best Practices
Examples from RVA

4. Getting and trusting data: training on meaning & use
Invest in HMIS user training
Teach people how to read an APR
Use data summaries
Share PIT methodology– repeatedly
Be clear about definitions and limitations
Remind people they are already using information and that data may be more helpful

5. Be skeptical together Does this look right?
Ask users to gut check data
Compare HMIS and PIT- do trends seem to make sense?
Consumer surveys
Case manager input
Run reports and send them to be corrected
Run reports again

6. Be nosy together Are there alternative understandings?
Are there differences between programs or subpopulations that surprise you? That confirm what you suspected?
Are there difficulties where clients and case managers tell you there are difficulties?

7. Looking for insights Problems
Comments from clients, case managers, other staff
Opportunities
Interested partners
Funders

8. Keys to everything (in addition to data)
Best Practices & Partnerships
What is feasible to do to tackle one of your worst data points?
Funding
Move $ to underscore your best outcomes
Policies
Try something different but be transparent about it
Governance
Document the conversations & process; make changes through funding or policy; move on to the next issue or opportunity

9. Examples from RVA: Best Practices & Policies
High % of people entering shelter from housing
High number of people turned away from coordinated entry & those seeking assistance who receive no ES, TH, SH
(System performance measures: 1st time homeless, thoroughness of reach, length of homelessness, total number, exits to housing)
Data entry problems? Not updating last residence before shelter
Clients have other options, esp. on weekends and holidays
Shelter case manager complaints about perceived differences in clients’ interest in housing options
Coordinated entry staff input– “people are waiting”. Where are they waiting? Could they stay there safely?
Adjusting what satisfied US.
Comprehensive housing & service intervention versus
Families “making do” in poverty while in stable housing

10. What we did with what we were learning
Implementation of Diversion as core practice/ program model Policies to target & prioritize those within 3 days of losing housing or already homeless

11. Example from RVA: Partnerships
Low number of RRH clients connected to employment
Development of partnerships & diverse program models
Adding workforce partners to CoC governance

12. Contact info
Kelly King Horne Executive Director Homeward Richmond, VA