Introduction to funding and data toolkit

Throughout the Critical Mass project Homeless Link has sought to understand how client data is used in different contexts to meet different needs. An important facet of the research has been to talk to a wide range of funding bodies, local authorities and charities about what their data needs are from homelessness services when commissioning or deciding on a grant.

The current economic and political climate means that homelessness services need to explore a wider range of funding opportunities and will have to work with a more diverse funding base. With the political emphasis on localism, services are likely to experience greater variation in what information is asked of them and what analysis needs to be provided. So that funding opportunities can be broadened and maximised, services will need to adapt and develop their evidencing processes.
 
As part of the research we interviewed a variety of staff across the funding spectrum about what drives funding decisions, what sort of data and information is needed and what emphasis is placed on various types of data. We also undertook a review of the data implications in the application and monitoring processes used by such organisations. This toolkit is informed by this research.