Administrative data enable planners, researchers and programme evaluators to examine service use on a population basis, longitudinally. The potential for linking administrative data across multiple systems further allows for a more comprehensive view of various subpopulations, their patterns of service use and associated costs. Because people who experience homelessness are often users of multiple systems, and are often homeless in part because of ineffective programmes and insufficient aftercare, these data may be crucial to identifying the gaps that need to be filled to prevent and reduce the duration of homelessness spells. These data can also make visible what may otherwise be hidden and understudied aspects of the homelessness problem. The use of administrative data for purposes for which they were not originally intended also raises some ethical issues that must be considered in light of their potential to be misused. Read more.
The Potential of Linked Administrative Data for Advancing Homelessness Research and Policy
European Journal of Homelessness
Year: 2016