In order to know whether efforts to end homelessness are successful it is important to know the baseline or starting point. Equally vital, however, is tracking data as plans and programs are implemented. Communities need to monitor and evaluate their progress – both successes and failures – so that they can report their outcomes to stakeholders for accountability, and course correct when trends are not in line with their goals. 

These reports are a method of accountability for the public, service providers and funders. They help ensure that there is a continual checking in process and a comparison to the vision. When a community is failing to make progress in one area of their plan, they can use their data to determine how to change and prioritize that area of focus.