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TIPS & TRAPS: A LAYMAN’S GUIDE TO USING SHELTER DATA FOR “HOMELESSNESS” RESEARCH. Canadian Conference on Homelessness Toronto, May 2005. Harvey Low City of Toronto Social Policy & Research Unit. Purpose of this Presentation. 1) Homelessness research & Toronto’s S helter data - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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TIPS & TRAPS:
A LAYMAN’S GUIDE TO USING SHELTER DATA
FOR “HOMELESSNESS” RESEARCH
Harvey LowCity of Toronto
Social Policy & Research Unit
Canadian Conference on Homelessness Toronto, May 2005
1) Homelessness research & Toronto’s Shelter data
2) How research helps address homelessness
3) The “demography” of homelessness
4) Goal: a “TIPS & TRAPS” guide for others exploring the use of shelter data for similar purposes
Purpose of this Presentation
Who are we?
• Social Development & Administration– Strategic policy & research arm– Assists with data & analysis– Works w/ other stakeholders (ex. From Streets to
Homes)
• Shelter Support & Housing, Hostel Services– Service planning & delivery arm– 10 directly-operated shelters– 58 purchase of service
Toronto Administrative Structure2005
Council
City Manager
Auditor
Clerk
Solicitor
CITIZEN FOCUSED SERVICES
Children’s Services
Court Services
Economic Dev. & Culture
Emergency Medical Services
Homes for the Aged
Parks, Forestry, & Recr.
Shelter Support & Housing
Social Services
Public Health
CITIZEN FOCUSED SERVICES
Building
City Planning
Fire Services
Licensing & Standards
Solid Waste
Transportation
Water
INTERNAL SERVICES
Treasurer
Chief Corporate Officer
Accounting
Pension & Payroll
Revenue Services
Purchasing
Corporate Communications
Facilities & Real Estate
Fleet Services
Information & Technology
De puty CityManager &
Chie f Fin anc ialOff icer
De puty CityManager
Deputy CityManager
• Early Challenges:– lack of data– inconsistent data collection– service & administrative data only
1) Homelessness Research & Toronto’s Shelter Data
TIPTIP: Foster relationships with “all” shelter providers. : Foster relationships with “all” shelter providers.
TIPTIP: Develop core set of information. : Develop core set of information.
TIPTIP: Establish data standards. : Establish data standards.
• Collection Challenges:– no consistency in collection (historical consistency)– no process for collection– errors during data capture – recognizing different types of Hostels
TIPTIP: Use a common form (the : Use a common form (the “PINKS”“PINKS”).).
TIPTIP: Establish consistent and uniform times of collection.: Establish consistent and uniform times of collection.
TIPTIP: Develop codes to differentiate hostel type, and avoid estimates & adjustments.: Develop codes to differentiate hostel type, and avoid estimates & adjustments.
• Data Preparation Challenges:– long data “time lag” (time from collection to actual
reporting) – errors during inputting
• Privacy Challenges:– ensuring good data without compromising identity
TIPTIP: Use external data entry (minimize keypunching error).: Use external data entry (minimize keypunching error).
TRAPTRAP: Using internal staff for data entry.: Using internal staff for data entry.
TIPTIP: Document all data assumptions & limitations.: Document all data assumptions & limitations.
TIPTIP: Establish a unique identifiers.: Establish a unique identifiers.
• Semi-Unique ID (initials + birthdate + gender)• Hostel & Hostel Type (derived) • Demographics: Age, Gender, Accompanying Spouse • Family Type (derived)• Number of Dependants• Residence 1 Year Ago• Reason for Service• Admission & Exit Date• Length of Stay (derived)• Reason for Disposition
Toronto’s Core Shelter Data
TRAPTRAP: Collecting : Collecting TOO MUCH DATATOO MUCH DATA!!
• Reporting Challenges:– too technical (audience not kept in mind)!– data not maximized for planning uses – data not put to use for the public good
2) How Research helps address Homelessness
TIPTIP: Use data for BOTH internal and external purposes. : Use data for BOTH internal and external purposes.
TRAPTRAP: Reporting on statistical methods – and not outputs!: Reporting on statistical methods – and not outputs!
• Policy Support:– Mapping & Toronto’s Shelter By-Law– Hadley Inquest
• Internal Planning:– Next Steps Project
• Reporting / Indicators:– Housing & Homelessness Report Cards – Vital Signs– Federation of Canadian Municipalities QOL System
Making the Data/Research RELEVANT
TIPTIP: USE! USE! USE! : USE! USE! USE!
• Positive Collaboration– St. Michael’s Hospital (street deaths)– Status of Women Canada “Young Women &
Homelessness”
Making the Data/Research RELEVANT – cont’d
TRAPTRAP: Doing research for research sake! Not making research : Doing research for research sake! Not making research relevant to the community. relevant to the community.
3) The “Demography” of Homelessness
Total Persons in Toronto Emergency Shelters (1988-2003)
20,000
22,000
24,000
26,000
28,000
30,000
32,000
34,000
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998*
1999*
2000*
2001*
2002*
2003*
Year
Num
ber
* Excludes provincial assaulted women’s shelters.
Total Children in Toronto Emergency Shelters (1988-2003)
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
4,500
5,000
5,500
6,000
6,500
7,000
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 * 1999 * 2000 * 2001 * 2002 * 2003 *Year
Num
be
* Excludes provincial assaulted women’s shelters.
TIPTIP: Foster relationships with “all” shelter providers. : Foster relationships with “all” shelter providers.
TIPTIP: Develop core set of information. : Develop core set of information.
TIPTIP: Establish data standards. : Establish data standards.
4) A Users Guide – TIPS & TRAPS
TIPTIP: Establish consistent and uniform times of collection.: Establish consistent and uniform times of collection.
TIPTIP: Use a common form (the : Use a common form (the “PINKS”“PINKS”).).
TIPTIP: Develop codes to differentiate hostel type, and avoid : Develop codes to differentiate hostel type, and avoid estimates & adjustments.estimates & adjustments.
TIPTIP: Establish a unique identifier.: Establish a unique identifier.
4) A Users Guide – TIPS & TRAPS - cont’d
TIPTIP: Use external data entry (minimize keypunching error).: Use external data entry (minimize keypunching error).
TIPTIP: Document all data assumptions & limitations.: Document all data assumptions & limitations.
TIPTIP: Use data for BOTH internal and external purposes. : Use data for BOTH internal and external purposes.
TIPTIP: USE! USE! USE! : USE! USE! USE!
TRAPTRAP: Using internal staff for data entry.: Using internal staff for data entry.
TRAPTRAP: Collecting : Collecting TOO MUCH DATATOO MUCH DATA!!
TRAPTRAP: Reporting on statistical methods – and not outputs!: Reporting on statistical methods – and not outputs! TRAPTRAP: Doing research for research sake! Not making research : Doing research for research sake! Not making research
relevant to the community. relevant to the community.
For more information contact:Harvey LowCity of Toronto
Social Development & Administration Division Social Policy Analysis & Research Unit
toronto.ca/demographics