Homelessness

Westat studies the problem of homelessness from a variety of perspectives—causes of homelessness, interventions to prevent homelessness, transitioning from homelessness, and funding homelessness services. Our projects include evaluations using quantitative and qualitative data, evaluability studies, and surveys.

Knowledge Application Program (KAP)

The Westat team has developed award-winning health communications and knowledge dissemination products for the Homeless Programs and Community Support Programs branches of CMHS, SAMHSA. The Knowledge Application Program (KAP) integrates science-based health communications, social marketing, and knowledge transfer activities into an evidence-based dissemination model.

Washington Families Fund Systems Initiative Project

Westat is conducting a longitudinal evaluation of the Gates Foundation’s Washington Families Fund Systems Initiative. The purpose of the initiative is to change the overall homeless service systems in three local counties to increase coordination and data-driven decisionmaking among local service providers such that they can reform their systems to prevent family homelessness among those at risk and, for those who experience homelessness, facilitate entry into and out of homelessness, access to housing, and linkage to needed services and economic opportunity. Westat’s evaluation is a comprehensive examination of the process and outcomes of the initiative in all three counties.

Washington Families Fund High-Level Service Model Initiative

The Washington Families Fund High-Level Service Model initiative is a coordinated, intensive housing and services model for high-need families in the State of Washington. Westat is assessing the extent to which the initiative is successful in helping families connect with community-based services, decrease their use of high-cost services, and achieve stability in their lives. The evaluation has both implementation and outcome components and is expected to continue over a 6-year period.

Medical Respite Care for Persons Experiencing Homelessness

For the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Westat is leading a retrospective study to evaluate the costs, quality, and outcomes of respite care for homeless people, specifically whether respite care leads to fewer or shorter hospitalizations compared to routine services and whether there are relative long-term savings associated with medical respite care compared to hospital care.

National Survey of Veterans

Westat redesigned the National Survey of Veterans to meet the VA's informational needs in responding to its policy, planning, and budgetary challenges. Westat then conducted the first comprehensive survey of veterans since 1992, providing the VA with a portrait of the veteran population nationwide, and capturing information for traditionally underrepresented veteran populations, including veterans who are homeless.

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