Perceptions of homelessness and housing solutions: a web-based survey methodology to inform local housing policy

Abstract

ABSTRACT Discrepancies between homelessness perception and reality, as well as policymakers’ assumptions about their constituents’ perceptions, may contribute to policies that exacerbate homelessness and its negative outcomes. To counter these discrepancies, this manuscript introduces a mixed-methods, cross-sectional research protocol that is designed to assess local community member perceptions of and attitudes towards homelessness and potential housing solutions. The results of research modeled after this protocol can be used to inform local housing policy and community awareness campaigns. In this manuscript, we describe the protocol and its accompanying survey instrument, and the lessons our research team learned through the implementation of the protocol during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers elsewhere can adapt this protocol to capture localized and nuanced data related to local perceptions of homelessness and housing policy. With commitment to representative resident sampling, this protocol and the data it captures can help advocates craft more responsive and individualized community housing policies than would be possible without localized data collection and analysis.