Data to Measure Performance

Strengths

A key strength related to using data to measure performance is that all of the shelters use reporting on key performance measurements to determine opportunities for improvement. Although, some are more robust than others.

The City of Windsor is leading the implementation of the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS 4.0) which will be utilized by emergency shelters starting in 2020 and rolled out to other homelessness serving agencies over the next few years.

Gaps

There are a few gaps in data to measure performance within the Windsor Essex Shelter System, namely:

• The community has not yet implemented a shared homelessness information management system, resulting in a lack of strong community-wide data that can be used to understand shelter use patterns and detect changes, identify frequent users, reduce length of time spent in shelter, and right-size shelter capacity

• Targets have not been established related to time spent homeless, exits to permanent housing, and returns to shelter, and data on averages from other communities has not been shared to help inform targets

• Some shelter staff could benefit from additional training on understanding of data.

Shelter Modifications Amidst Pandemic Reality

Strengths

During the initial/peak phases of pandemic response shelter services were modified to incorporate public health guidelines into services. Modifications included:

• In general, the existing shelters were able to reconfigure their space to promote physical distancing. This included increasing spacing between beds to two meters, staggering mealtimes, and staggering use of shared spaces and bathing facilities. Additional rooms were used for sleeping to allow for greater physical distancing

• All shelters increased their infection prevention and control measures such as promoting additional personal hygiene, using appropriate personal protective equipment, updating food handling procedures, and increasing cleaning protocols, and staff were trained on the new safety measures

• All shelters are participating in screening and testing protocols established by the Health Unit

• People who are unwell are directed to testing and isolation spaces, and transportation is arranged if required