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Homelessness: Too Early to Tell What Kinds of Prevention Assistance Work Best

RCED-90-89 Published: Apr 24, 1990. Publicly Released: Apr 24, 1990.
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Highlights

GAO reviewed a variety of federal, state, and local homelessness prevention program eligibility requirements and limitations.

Recommendations

Matter for Congressional Consideration

Matter Status Comments
Because of the limited amount of resources available to assistance providers, Congress should consider requiring and setting funds aside for providers to collect the data needed to evaluate homelessness prevention activities. Decisions regarding the type of data needed to make such evaluations and the conduct of the evaluations could be coordinated through the Interagency Council on the Homeless.
Closed – Implemented
Although Congress has enacted some legislative provisions related to evaluation of homelessness prevention activities, they do not directly respond to the recommendation. Given that recent budget restraints are likely to continue in the foreseeable future, it appears unlikely that Congress will require, or specifically set aside funds for, the more extensive effort GAO recommended.

Full Report

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Topics

Appropriated fundsData collectionDisadvantaged personsFederal aid for housingstate relationsHomelessnessIndigentsProgram evaluationPublic assistance programsState-administered programs