LAHSA Releases Data Dashboards to Track Homelessness Efforts
New Tool to Promote Transparency and Accountability
In a move to promote greater transparency of how tax dollars are being used to address the homelessness crisis, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) has made available new data dashboards to track work being done across the city and county.
Accessing the Dashboards
The agency, in a joint effort between the city and county, posted the dashboards on its website over the last five days, which can be found at https://lahsa.org/data-refresh. Viewers can access data on:
- Street outreach, interim housing, and time-limited subsidies
- Details on LAHSA-funded programs and their efficacy
- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ Inside Safe initiative and the county’s Pathway Home program
What the Dashboards Show
The dashboards can show how many unhoused residents entered the rehousing system in respective City Council or Board of Supervisors’ districts, how many people individual programs have helped, and the performance of local service providers.
Importance of Transparency
"LAHSA is committed to transparency and accountability as we work toward ending homelessness for our unhoused neighbors," said LAHSA CEO Va Lecia Adams Kellum.
Call for Transparency
Several City Council members have called for greater transparency from LAHSA, citing the need for real-time data to inform policy decisions and ensure effective use of resources.
Committee Review
The five-member Homelessness and Housing Committee was expected to hear more from LAHSA officials regarding the dashboards during its Wednesday meeting.
Data Quality Improvement
While the dashboards make it easier to understand homelessness data, LAHSA said more work will be done with its service providers to improve quality. The agency will roll out its data quality plan to providers in November, which is intended to identify policies and processes to improve the reliability of all data tracked through the homeless management information system moving forward.
Testing and Feedback
Testing will continue for the next several months to identify bugs and errors. If dashboard users encounter a bug or seemingly incomplete results, they are asked to notify the Data Management Department via a Dashboard Feedback Form at https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/923906eb956e4c3e85a3c6b5ec416d65.
Conclusion
The release of these data dashboards is a significant step forward in promoting transparency and accountability in the efforts to address homelessness in Los Angeles. The public can now access a wealth of information on homelessness efforts and hold service providers accountable for the use of resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the data dashboards?
A: The data dashboards are designed to promote transparency and accountability in the efforts to address homelessness in Los Angeles.
Q: What kind of data can I access on the dashboards?
A: The dashboards provide data on street outreach, interim housing, and time-limited subsidies, as well as details on LAHSA-funded programs and their efficacy.
Q: How do I access the dashboards?
A: The dashboards can be found at https://lahsa.org/data-refresh.
Q: What will happen to the data that is entered incorrectly or is missing?
A: LAHSA will roll out its data quality plan to providers in November, which is intended to identify policies and processes to improve the reliability of all data tracked through the homeless management information system moving forward.
