Evidence & policy
Research, data, and policy analysis on homelessness — written for city officials, funders, journalists, and CoC leaders.
Evidence briefs
Why "Federal Homelessness Spending Has Failed" Gets the Numbers Wrong
A close reading of HUD expenditure data shows that program outcomes vary dramatically by implementation quality — the aggregate spending figure obscures more than it reveals.
Read brief →Performance Variation Between CoCs Is a Build Problem, Not a Willpower Problem
High-performing Continuums of Care share structural characteristics — coordinated entry design, real-time data use, and leadership accountability — that predict outcomes better than local political will.
Read brief →Data
National Point-in-Time Count: 2015–2024 Trend
Ten years of PIT count data annotated with policy context — which years saw increases, which interventions coincided with declines, and what the numbers can and cannot tell us.
View dataset →CoC Performance Dashboard: Shelter Exits to Permanent Housing
Cross-CoC comparison of permanent housing exit rates from emergency shelter, with breakdowns by geography, population served, and program type.
In draft →Policy tools
How to Make the Case for Prevention Targeting
A decision framework for CoC leaders and funders weighing diversion and prevention investments — including how to present cost-per-outcome comparisons to skeptical elected officials.
Download framework →Coordinated Entry Design Checklist
A practical audit tool for evaluating whether a CoC's coordinated entry system meets HUD standards and reflects best practices from high-performing communities.
In draft →Contribute evidence
We welcome submissions from researchers and policy analysts. Contact us to discuss publishing your work or data through Common Ladder.