The state of Utah is taking the problem of homelessness seriously and plans to use data as a major tool for helping to improve the quality of life for people who live unsheltered or in a state of housing instability. In its last session, the Utah Legislature passed HB294, which makes provisions for data-driven accountability in homelessness services.
Things should be getting better for people who experience poverty in Utah, and we should be accountable for results. Practices and interventions that create worse outcomes or do not improve the lives of vulnerable Utahns should not be supported by tax dollars. On these points there should be no debate. Utah has long been recognized as a leader in data-driven government , so we are in an excellent position to leverage data to create positive change. HB294 is a great start, but the state’s approach to implementation will make all the difference in the bill’s effectiveness.
There are two divergent approaches to data-driven results processes: 1) Results-based punishment, which can create a culture of fear, result in perverse incentives, erode capacity and trust, reduce collaboration between providers and is likely to cause additional harm and inevitable failure. 2) Results-based learning, which most often creates a culture of innovation, enhances collaboration and shared knowledge and is likely to find new solutions, bring them to scale and grow community capacity…