Harnessing Data to Address Homelessness 

Since 2018, OMNI has partnered with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless to support the Balance of State Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, an annual count of people experiencing homelessness that takes place in every state. The PIT is required by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with the goal to count every person who meets the HUD definition of homelessness.

As Colorado Coalition for the Homeless’ data partner, OMNI manages the data entry, analysis, and reporting of the PIT data. OMNI also provides guidance around instrument design and updates the survey annually to align with HUD standards. In 2021, OMNI developed an online version of the PIT survey to streamline data collection and reduce data entry costs. Data collected from the count is used to inform the distribution of homeless assistance funds and inform policies that prevent and address homelessness.

In 2019, several local governments in Jefferson County, Colorado partnered to conduct a month-long comprehensive count of individuals experiencing homelessness. The Jefferson County comprehensive count attempted to reach individuals who met the HUD definition of literal homelessness (living in a place not meant for human habitation or in a shelter) and those who were unstably housed.

The expanded definition was informed by the 2009 Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act with the aim to capture the unique characteristics of individuals experiencing homelessness in Jefferson County. In addition to collecting data about demographics and other characteristics, the survey also assessed gaps and barriers to accessing services.

OMNI served as the research partner and developed a survey, strategized about the ideal methodology for collecting data from service providers and via street outreach, analyzed the data, and produced a comprehensive final report.

The Boulder County Pathways to Housing Stability Program (BCPHS), funded by a 5-year SAMHSA Treatment for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness (TIEH) grant, supports chronically homeless adults with behavioral health needs in finding and maintaining stable housing.

Integrating behavioral health treatment and recovery support services with housing navigation, the goal of the program is to help clients move quickly into housing with access to evidence-based programs and services that support clients in main-taining housing.

As Boulder County’s research partner, OMNI develops and maintains cross-agency partnerships to facilitate data collection and federal reporting and builds capacity and infrastructure related to outcome evaluation measures. In addition, OMNI has conducted qualitative surveys and key informant interviews with program staff to understand program policies and processes, conducted a comparative review of Hous-ing First fidelity assessments to inform program practices, and conducted key informant interviews with landlords and property managers about their experiences renting to individuals served by the grant.

The Gathering Place (TGP) is a drop-in day shelter that serves women and transgender individuals and their families through strengths-based and community-driven programs and supports.

In 2020, OMNI supported TGP to increase organizational learning and to develop infrastructure to better tell the story of its impact on the individuals and families served, most of whom are experiencing homelessness and extreme poverty.

OMNI provided evaluation training to staff; conducted a literature review on intersections between recovery, homelessness, and women/transgender identities; and led a collaborative process through which staff and organizational leaders developed a framework that articulated pathways of service delivery and a logic model that outlined the process by which TGP partners with women, transgender individuals and their families to move out of crisis towards self-actualized goals.