Response to Guy Johnson and Nicholas Pleace’s article ‘How Do We Measure Success in Homelessness Services? : Critically Assessing the Rise of the Homelessness Outcomes Star’

In their article in the June 2016 edition of this journal, Johnson and Pleace articulate a number of critiques of the Homelessness Outcomes Star (HOS) on grounds ranging from its theoretical underpinnings to the supporting research and guidance for use. However, it is important to note that the authors have themselves not used the tool with service users or received training in the use of the tool. Nor have they carried out any primary research on the use of the tool by service users, workers, managers or commissioners. Their article is based on a literature review and their own opinions. Unfortunately, this has led to a number of important misunderstandings relating to the tool and how it is used, and as a result the analysis and conclusions reached are fundamentally flawed. The purpose of this response is to highlight and correct those misunderstandings.

Publication Date: 
2017
Pages: 
1-8
Volume: 
11
Issue: 
1
Journal Name: 
European Journal of Homelessness