Strategy. Shelter Eligibility Policies (Child)
Approach. Develop and adopt positive shelter eligibility policies for families needing shelter placement
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Overview. Shelter eligibility policies play a crucial role in determining the support and resources available to families experiencing homelessness. Understanding the impact of these policies on families can help policymakers and healthcare providers develop strategies to address the healthcare needs of populations experiencing homelessness effectively.[1]
Evidence. Emerging Evidence.
Strategies with this rating typically trend positive and have good potential to work. They often have a growing body of recent, but limited research that documents effects. However, further study is needed to confirm effects, determine which types of health behaviors and conditions these interventions address, and gauge effectiveness across different population groups. (Clarifying Note: The WWFH database calls this "mixed evidence").
Access the peer-reviewed evidence
through the MCH Digital Library or related evidence source.
(Read more about understanding evidence ratings).
Source. Peer-Reviewed Literature
Outcome Components. This strategy has shown to have impact on the following outcomes (Read more about these categories):
- Policy. This strategy helps to promote decisions, laws, and regulations that promote public health practices and interventions.
- Social Determinants of Health. This strategy advances economic, social, and environmental factors that affect health outcomes. SDOH include the conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.
Detailed Outcomes. For specific outcomes related to each study supporting this strategy, access the peer-reviewed evidence and read the Intervention Results for each study.
Intervention Type. Policy Development and Enforcement (Read more about intervention types and levels as defined by the Public Health Intervention Wheel).
Intervention Level. Population/Systems-Focused
Examples from the Field.
There are currently no ESMs that use this strategy. As Title V agencies begin to incorporate this strategy into ESMs, examples will be available here. Until then, you can search for ESMs that have similar intervention components in the ESM database.
Sample ESMs. Here are sample ESMs to use as models for your own measures using the Results-Based Accountability framework (for suggestions on how to develop programs to support this strategy, see The Role of Title V in Adapting Strategies).
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Quadrant 1:
Measuring Quantity of Effort ("What/how much did we do?")
- Number of shelters and housing organizations engaged in reviewing and revising their eligibility policies to better serve families with children. (Measures engagement and participation in policy change efforts)
- Number of shelter staff and providers trained on implementing new eligibility policies and practices in a family-centered, trauma-informed manner. (Shows workforce capacity building for policy implementation)
- Number of families with children who are able to access shelter services as a result of expanded eligibility policies. (Measures direct impact on shelter access and utilization)
- Number of children in families accessing shelter who are connected to essential services and resources, such as education, healthcare, and child care. (Assesses impact on access to supportive services)
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Quadrant 2:
Measuring Quality of Effort ("How well did we do it?")
- Percent of shelter staff who demonstrate proficiency in applying new eligibility policies and practices in an equitable, consistent, and compassionate manner. (Assesses quality and reliability of policy implementation)
- Percent of families with children seeking shelter who receive clear, accessible information about their eligibility and rights under the new policies. (Shows transparency and communication effectiveness)
- Percent of families with children entering shelter who report feeling welcomed, respected, and supported throughout the intake and eligibility determination process. (Measures family-reported experience and satisfaction)
- Percent of children in families accessing shelter who maintain stability in their education, health, and social connections as a result of responsive eligibility policies. (Assesses impact on mitigating the disruptions of homelessness for children)
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Quadrant 3:
Measuring Quantity of Effect ("Is anyone better off?")
- Number of cross-sector collaboratives and coalitions formed to support comprehensive, family-centered shelter eligibility policies at the local and state levels. (Measures field-building and collective action for systems change)
- Number of promising practices and innovations in shelter eligibility policies for families that are identified, documented, and disseminated for replication and adaptation. (Shows knowledge generation and diffusion for field advancement)
- Number of communities that experience reductions in the number of families with children who are turned away from shelter or experience long wait times for services due to restrictive eligibility criteria. (Assesses population-level impact on reducing barriers to shelter access)
- Number of cross-sector partnerships and initiatives catalyzed by the adoption of family-centered shelter eligibility policies that work to address the upstream determinants of family homelessness, such as housing affordability and economic security. (Shows ripple effect and transformative potential of policy change)
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Quadrant 4:
Measuring Quality of Effect ("How are they better off?")
- Percent of resources and capacity-building support allocated to shelters and organizations serving families with children who face the greatest barriers to accessing shelter, such as those headed by parents of color, LGBTQ+ parents, and parents with disabilities. (Assesses tailored universalism and equity in resource allocation)
- Percent of community conversations and public narratives about shelter eligibility for families that affirm the dignity, strengths, and resilience of families experiencing homelessness, rather than perpetuating stigma. (Shows narrative change impact on shifting dominant discourse)
- Percent reduction in racial, ethnic, and other disparities in access to shelter and housing stability outcomes among families with children impacted by eligibility policy changes. (Measures impact on reducing inequities and advancing justice)
- Percent of families with children from historically marginalized communities who report that shelter eligibility policies and practices affirmed their autonomy, cultural identity, and self-determination in a time of crisis. (Assesses effectiveness of policies in promoting dignity and justice)
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Note. When looking at your ESMs, SPMs, or other strategies:
- Move from measuring quantity to quality.
- Move from measuring effort to effect.
- Quadrant 1 strategies should be used sparingly, when no other data exists.
- The most effective measurement combines strategies in all levels, with most in Quadrants 2 and 4.
Learn More. Read how to create stronger ESMs and how to measure ESM impact more meaningfully through Results-Based Accountability.
References
[1] Stewart, A. M., Kanak, M. M., Gerald, A. M., Kimia, A. A., Landschaft, A., Sandel, M. T., & Lee, L. K. (2018). Pediatric emergency department visits for homelessness after shelter eligibility policy change. Pediatrics, 142(5).
