1. Volker Busch-Geertsema (GISS) Barbara Illsley (University of Dundee UK) European Commission MPHASIS Mutual Progress on Homelessness through Advancing and Strengthening Information Systems Workshop 3 : Developing and Implementing a Homeless Information Strategy Final Project Conference

2. European Commission Background  EU Measuring Homelessness Study  Need to improve information base about homelessness  Regional/National/European levels  Provide effective evidenced based policies  Homeless Information Strategies to support the development of Homeless Strategies  Series of steps and actions recommended

3. European Commission Stages in Preparing a Homeless Information Strategy StageActionDescription 1ConsultationInvolve all relevant stakeholders 2DefinitionsAgree definition of Homelessness Develop harmonised variables 3Information needsUse Strategy to identify information needs and priorities 4Review Information Sources Indentify information available and review its usefulness 5Data ProtectionEnsure appropriate protocols exists for data protection

4. European Commission Stages in Preparing a Homeless Information Strategy StageActionDescription 6Time-table of implementation Plan implementation to ensure stakeholder needs are met 7Service Provider Database Prepare and maintain a database of service provision 8Client dataStrategy to aggregate client register data from service providers 9Administrative DataEnsure administrative data can be captured to inform policy analysis 10Combining dataEstablish joint protocols to eliminate double counting; standardise unique identifiers etc

5. European Commission MPHASIS - Governance  Found general recognition and acceptance of the need for co-ordination and involvement of stakeholders  Clear variations in terms of  Identifying stakeholders and getting them involved  The lead organisation  Scale responsible for data collection  Mechanisms used to enhance collaboration

6. European Commission Questions - Governance  How do you reach a decision on responsibilities for coordination and implementation of a Homeless Information Strategy in those countries where this is a problem?  How could national authorities get further motivated from the EU level to develop homelessness monitoring strategies with clear targets and indicators?

7. European Commission MPHASIS - Implementation  Some countries more advanced than others in defining needs and developing strategies  Weakness and barriers to be overcome  Incomplete geographical coverage and incompatibility of data from different systems  Restricted definition of homelessness or no consensus  Continuous data missing  Technical problems concerning reliability of data and data protection  Lack of funding

8. European Commission Questions - Implementation  Can local and regional approaches be an important step towards reaching a national picture, or are they rather part of the problem?  Is it necessary to base homeless information strategies on obligatory duties for municipalities and service providers to deliver the data needed, or can voluntary systems work?  How can problems to get sufficient funding for measuring homelessness be overcome?  What is needed to ensure that data collection serves policy purposes as well as the needs of homeless clients, their fieldworkers and service organisations?

9. European Commission MPHASIS – Core Variables  Progress on the harmonization of definitions of homelessness and core variables has been achieved  Most variables are in use and easy to implement  Question  Could a clear recommendation by the European Commission / Eurostat on core variables help to increase consensus?

10. European Commission Proposed Action Points for Discussion Action PointLevelResponsibilityComment Identify responsible agency for Homeless Information Strategy in EU member state EU National DG Employment National Government Specify as a statement in NAPs Specify budget for monitoring homeless information EU National DG Employment Responsible Ministry NAPs Harmonise Core Variables Definition EUEurostatWorking Group on Harmonisation of Social variables