What is a “By Name List?”  It is exactly as it is named; it is a list of all clients in the homeless response system who are known to be actively homeless. Our goal is that service providers know exactly who is out there, what their needs are and where to find them.

Why does it matter? Having by name data gives us real time and person specific understanding of who is experiencing homelessness and what it will take to house them. The list provides a continual, real-time count of people who are actively homeless in Kent County. We can track and measure trends and changes in who is becoming homeless, who is moving out of the homelessness response system, and who returns.

Our by name data allows providers to still see clearly and act decisively, and is used in decision making every single day.

How does it work? Data is gathered through the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), which is a federally required database for communities to input data on the homeless population. While many agencies in Kent County are not required to use it because they do not receive federal funding, all our street outreach, emergency shelter and many of our other permanent housing providers choose to anyway so we have one comprehensive dataset.

Through interactions with these providers, using information collected and shared with client consent, each person on the list has a record in HMIS that includes their name, history of homelessness, health, and housing needs. This information is available in real time and is updated bi-weekly.

The BNL reminds us that when we talk about data, we aren’t just talking about numbers. We are talking about real people who have real stories, and real needs that we believe we have the resources to solve.

The numbers from our by-name data tells us what we need to successfully end homelessness. The people behind those numbers remind us that our teams are working to improve the lives of those we are supporting.