At the Program Level

A veteran, multi-issue community development corporation (CDC) used its Success Measures evaluation to better understand and enhance local wealth building strategies.

The group completed data collection using affordable housing indicators (related to: property maintenance and management; personal effectiveness and stability; sense of community), combined with visual assessment of rental properties. Data collection efforts actually helped the CDC to reconnect with churches and other local community networks, while underscoring the need to reinforce these connections.

Analysis of program outcomes through the evaluation led the organization to implement individual financial education and coaching for its constituents, and to ramp up efforts to reduce tenants’ rent/utility costs, while also increasing residents’ access to benefits and supportive services.

A housing development organization used Success Measures evaluation services to integrate a set of outcome measurement data collection efforts into its work. As the organization embarks on a second-year implementation phase of its outcome evaluation, it intends to incorporate baseline data collection at all its newly acquired properties, linking this with related predevelopment activities.

By using Success Measures tools that provide data on program outcomes (including surveys on resident services and property maintenance), the organization was able to hone future strategies related to the purchase, and maintenance of properties. Collection of baseline data in three year cycles (using tools related to property values, external perception and visual assessment of properties) will help to further inform programs, as well as document outcomes that can be analyzed at the community level.