More than 150,000 Californians experience homelessness on a given day. CHCF, in collaboration with the Blue Shield of California Foundation, is funding an 18- to 24-month research project designed to give a better statewide picture of homelessness in California and a fuller understanding of the characteristics and lives of adults experiencing homelessness across the state.

Led by Dr. Margot Kushel from the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, and conducted in partnership with the California Health and Human Services Agency, the research aims to improve understanding of homelessness, including:

• Understanding characteristics of adults experiencing homelessness in California
• Characterizing immediate precipitants of homelessness
• Analyzing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on homelessness
• Identifying barriers to housing exits

The study, which will employ administered questionnaires and in-depth interviews in eight representative counties, will provide an opportunity to hear directly from several thousand adults about their experience of homelessness and engagement in services.

The research is expected to produce a range of content, including issue briefs, audio/visual storytelling, and more. You can learn more about the project through the California Statewide Survey on Homelessness webinar. The goal is to provide actionable evidence for policymakers, homeless response, and health care systems.

CHCF is also co funding a related project, a statewide evaluation of Project Roomkey.

Sign up for CHCF updates on homelessness and health care.