The Vulnerability of Assessments, A Qualitative Analysis of Housing Professionals' Experiences with the VI-SPDAT in Minnesota and a Comparative Review of Alternative Housing Triage Assessments

In 2015, an estimated 40,000 people experienced homelessness, with approximately 150 Minnesotans becoming homeless every week.1 Minnesota communities, however, have a finite number of resources to meet these needs. Coordinated entry assists communities in allocating limited resources to meet the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in their community. Coordinated entry assessment tools, such as the Vulnerability Index-Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT), prioritize services and assistance based on vulnerability and severity of need. These tools ensure that individuals and families can access appropriate resources regardless of where they access services in a community. In 2012, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) required all Continua of Care (CoCs) to utilize a standard assessment tool as part of a coordinated entry system (CES). Minnesota recently transitioned to utilizing the same assessment tool statewide, and, as of 2017, all Minnesota CoCs utilize the VI-SPDAT. At the early stages of its implementation, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency and Hennepin County are unsure whether the VI-SPDAT is the most appropriate assessment tool for all Minnesota communities. This study explores the existing field of coordinated entry assessment tools and examines provider experiences utilizing the VI-SPDAT and its components. Specifically, our research incorporates qualitative interviews and a focus group with 21 housing professionals using the VISPDAT in seven Minnesota CoCs. Additionally, this study examines perceptions and experiences of three housing professionals in two CoCs outside of Minnesota to provide perspectives on the use of alternative housing assessment and prioritization tools