Government Relations Survey Intro and Background

In November and December of 2009 we disseminated a government relations survey to our constituencies in order to direct our public policy, advocacy, lobbying, and communications work. Three hundred and one survey responses were collected.

The surveys were completed by persons who self-identified as belonging to one of the following groups: homeless/formerly homeless constituents (42%), affordable housing/homeless prevention advocates and allies (18%), social service providers (14%), homeless service providers (13%), Board members of non-profit organizations (8%), and Community Development Corporations/affordable housing developers (5%).

The survey attempted to elicit the top areas of concern and the strategies we should use to solve those issues. In addition, questions were posed to various constituencies (i.e. homeless constituents, case managers, organizational leaders) about the best ways to reach them and what assistance they need to become more effective and involved in our work.

Key Findings

1. Top issues to work on: Shelter overcrowding, the need for more permanent supportive housing, and a permanent funding source for affordable housing ranked as the top three issues stakeholders felt should garner our attention;
2. Top strategies to employ: Public awareness, advocacy, and grassroots/constituent organizing ranked as the top three strategies, closely followed by lobbying and education/training;
3. Constituent skill development: Organizational skills garnered the most responses, followed by conflict resolution, and public speaking. Creating a resume and lobbying closely followed the top three;
4. Constituent trainings: How to find employment was the top response, followed by how to get into housing, and how to access a good case manager, followed very closely by finding good healthcare;
5. Case manager trainings: Client assessment and treatment planning tied for the most responses, and outreach and engagement and self-care for case managers tied for the second most responses;
6. Constituent communication: Homeless constituents felt that Street Sights was the most effective way to convey information to them, followed by flyers at shelters and soup kitchens, and word of mouth.

A series of open ended questions for various audiences rounded out our survey. Responses that were most prominent focused on organizing for change with specific importance placed on increasing housing options/opportunities through increased funding.

View the full results from our survey here.