Evaluating Maryland's Homelessness Solutions Program
This paper presents an outcome evaluation plan for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's Homelessness Solutions Program (HSP). The evaluation aims to assess the program's effectiveness in reducing homelessness by measuring housing stability, financial literacy, and participant satisfaction. Using a quasi-experimental pre/post-test design with a comparison group of 300 individuals, the plan combines quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews collected at baseline and at three follow-up intervals. The paper also describes how the evaluation aligns with the program's logic model, linking activities and outputs to short-term and intermediate outcomes, and discusses how findings can inform ongoing program improvements.
- Introduction: Overview of HSP and evaluation purpose
- Evaluation Objectives and Questions: Primary and secondary research questions guiding the evaluation
- Research Design: Quasi-experimental pre/post-test design rationale
- Data Collection Methods and Sample: Mixed-methods approach and 300-person sample design
- Measures and Instruments: Validated tools for housing, finance, and satisfaction
- Analysis Approach and Logic Model Alignment: Statistical and thematic analysis tied to logic model outcomes
- Conclusion: Summary of evaluation goals and anticipated impact
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper establishes clear, numbered research questions that directly guide the evaluation design, making the scope and intent of the study easy to follow.
- The rationale for choosing a quasi-experimental design is explicitly justified, including an honest acknowledgment of its limitations compared to a randomized controlled trial.
- The alignment section connecting the evaluation plan to the program's logic model demonstrates systems thinking and shows how measurement choices flow from the program's theory of change.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates effective mixed-methods evaluation design, pairing quantitative survey instruments (adapted from validated tools such as the Financial Well-Being Scale and the CSQ-8) with qualitative interview protocols. This triangulation strategy strengthens internal validity and allows numeric outcome data to be contextualized by participant narratives.
Structure breakdown
The paper moves logically from problem statement and objectives, through research design justification and sampling strategy, to specific measures and instruments, and finally to analysis methods and logic model alignment. Each section builds on the previous one, and the conclusion synthesizes the evaluation's broader purpose. The structure reflects a standard program evaluation report format appropriate for applied social policy work.
Introduction
Homelessness is a critical issue in Maryland, affecting individuals and families across the state. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's Homelessness Solutions Program (HSP) is designed to address this problem by providing housing stability and financial education to individuals experiencing homelessness (Homeless Solutions Program, 2023). However, it is important to assess the effectiveness of the program and identify areas for improvement to ensure that it is meeting the needs of the community. This evaluation plan outlines the research design, data collection methods, and measures that will be used to assess the impact of the HSP on program participants.
Evaluation Objectives and Questions
The primary objective of the evaluation is to assess the effectiveness of the Homelessness Solutions Program in reducing homelessness in Maryland. The evaluation aims to answer the following research questions:
1. Are program participants able to secure and maintain stable housing?
2. Is there adequate and ongoing support and resources for program participants after they secure permanent housing?
3. Is the program culturally sensitive, competent, and accessible to an increasingly diverse population?
4. Are program participants consistently satisfied with the services and support they receive?
Additional questions that may be answered over the course of this evaluation include:
1. What are the specific outcomes of the program, such as the number of people who have been housed and the length of time they have remained housed?
2. What are the factors that contribute to the success or failure of the program?
3. Are there any unintended consequences or negative effects of the program?
Research Design
A quasi-experimental study using a pre/post-test design with a comparison group will be employed. This design was chosen because it allows for the comparison of program participants with a similar group of individuals who did not receive program services. A quasi-experimental study is a type of research design that aims to investigate the causal relationship between an intervention and an outcome (Bloomfield & Fisher, 2019). This type of study is similar to a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in that it involves comparing two or more groups, with one group receiving the intervention and the other serving as a control group. However, unlike an RCT, participants in a quasi-experimental study are not randomly assigned to groups; rather, they are assigned based on some other characteristic, such as their location or pre-existing condition. This can limit the researcher's ability to control for confounding variables, but it is useful in situations where random assignment is not feasible or ethical.
This study will compare the outcomes of the Homelessness Solutions Program to those of a group of individuals who did not receive the program's services, allowing evaluators to determine whether the program has had a significant impact on reducing homelessness in Maryland. The comparison group consists of individuals experiencing homelessness who did not receive program services, and program participants will be compared to this group at baseline and at three follow-up points. This design helps to control for potential confounding factors that may affect outcomes in both groups, such as changes in economic conditions or policies affecting the availability of affordable housing.
Conclusion
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's Homelessness Solutions Program has the potential to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness in the state. This evaluation plan outlines the measures and data collection methods that will be used to assess the effectiveness of the program in achieving its goals. By collecting data on measures that correlate with the logic model and analyzing the results appropriately, evaluators can identify areas for improvement and ensure that the HSP is meeting the needs of the community. Ultimately, the goal of this evaluation is to promote sustainable housing stability and financial well-being for program participants, reduce rates of poverty and inequality in Maryland, and improve the overall quality of life for all residents.
References
Bloomfield, J., & Fisher, M. J. (2019). Quantitative research design. Journal of the Australasian Rehabilitation Nurses Association, 22(2), 27–30.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2023). Financial well-being scale. Retrieved from https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/research-reports/financial-well-being-scale/
Homeless Solutions Program. (2023). Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Retrieved from https://dhcd.maryland.gov/HomelessServices/Pages/GrantFunding.aspx
National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2014). Comprehensive assessment tool. Retrieved from https://endhomelessness.org/
National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2017). Homeless System Evaluator Tool. Retrieved from https://endhomelessness.org/resource/homeless-system-evaluator-tool/
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