Using AI to Predict and Prevent Homelessness

In Los Angeles County, a unique pilot program is using predictive analytics to help prevent homelessness. Janey Rountree, Executive Director of UCLA’s California Policy Lab (CPL) will explain how CPL researchers used anonymized data on almost 100,000 people who use health and mental health services provided by eight different Los Angeles County agencies to develop a computer model that identifies who is at highest risk of becoming homeless. Dana Vanderford, Associate Director, Homelessness Prevention at Housing for Health within the LA County Department of Health Services, will then explain how the county’s Health Services Department has implemented a pilot program to connect individuals identified by the algorithm with programs and/or resources that can address their needs and, in doing so, help ensure that they do not experience homelessness.