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Efficient targeting of homelessness prevention services for families

Author

Listed:
  • Shinn, M.
  • Greer, A.L.
  • Bainbridge, J.
  • Kwon, J.
  • Zuiderveen, S.

Abstract

Objectives. We developed and evaluated a model to target homelessness prevention services to families more efficiently. Methods. We followed 11 105 families who applied for community-based services to prevent homelessness in New York City from October 1, 2004, to June 30, 2008, through administrative records, using Cox regression to predict shelter entry. Results. Over 3 years, 12.8% of applicants entered shelter. Both the complete Cox regression and a short screening model based on 15 risk factors derived from it were superior to worker judgments, with substantially higher hit rates at the same level of false alarms. We found no evidence that some families were too risky to be helped or that specific risk factors were particularly amenable to amelioration. Conclusions. Despite some limitations, an empirical risk model can increase the efficiency of homelessness prevention services. Serving the same proportion of applicants but selecting those at highest risk according to the model would have increased correct targeting of families entering shelter by 26% and reduced misses by almost two thirds. Parallel models could be developed elsewhere.

Suggested Citation

  • Shinn, M. & Greer, A.L. & Bainbridge, J. & Kwon, J. & Zuiderveen, S., 2013. "Efficient targeting of homelessness prevention services for families," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(S2), pages 324-330.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2013.301468_7
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301468
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    Cited by:

    1. Goodman, Sarena & Messeri, Peter & O'Flaherty, Brendan, 2016. "Homelessness prevention in New York City: On average, it works," Journal of Housing Economics, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 14-34.
    2. Glendening, Zachary S. & Shinn, Marybeth & Brown, Scott R. & Cleveland, Kyndra C. & Cunningham, Mary K. & Pergamit, Michael R., 2020. "Supportive housing for precariously housed families in the child welfare system: Who benefits most?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    3. William N. Evans & David C. Phillips & Krista Ruffini, 2021. "Policies To Reduce And Prevent Homelessness: What We Know And Gaps In The Research," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 40(3), pages 914-963, June.
    4. Stephen Gaetz, 2020. "Making the Prevention of Homelessness a Priority: The Role of Social Innovation," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 79(2), pages 353-381, March.
    5. Barrett A. Lee & Marybeth Shinn & Dennis P. Culhane, 2021. "Homelessness as a Moving Target," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 693(1), pages 8-26, January.

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