From the beginning, the Coalition’s work has been guided by data gathered through our homeless system and the larger community. Traditionally, data focused on the problem—homelessness—rather than the solution—housing. This meant important questions remained unanswered in the midst of the shift from managing homelessness to housing people, including:

• How many people lack affordable housing?
• To what extent are households “doubled up” (living with family or friends)?
• What impact do transportation costs have on housing?

To address such questions, the Coalition spearheaded two research projects with key community partners. These projects are known collectively as the Housing & Transportation Affordability Study, which was released in August 2010. This study was designed to better understand housing affordability across our region, with deeper exploration in Grand Rapids and Kent County.

Using the Housing & Transportation Study

This study provides a snapshot of our community’s current housing situation as well as a platform from which to explore your organization's role in ending homelessness. There are several ways you can put it to work within your organization:

• Leave copies in your break room or reception area. You may wish to include a note about how your organization is connected to the Coalition and how your programs help reframe the response to homelessness.
• Host a lunch-and-learn with staff to discuss interesting or surprising findings and identify ideas for using the data in your work (e.g., Could the data be used in an appeal to donors? Could the findings help develop your program planning?).
• Share it with your board. Present on your involvement with the Coalition and share how you use data to shape community conversations about homelessness. Ask for their reactions to the findings. What surprised them? What are they interested in learning more about?
• Post it online via your website, e-newsletter, or social media. Help demonstrate your leadership in ending homelessness as we know it by informing others, especially donors and volunteers who may wish to get engaged.

We want to hear other ways you are putting the study to work in your organization, and we may include them in a future e-newsletter. Please contact us to share your ideas.