Using real-time data to reduce homelessness and improve services
A recent article in the European Journal of Homelessness examines examples from Nordic cities, including Reykjavík, showing that strategic use of real-time data can be a game-changer in the fight against homelessness. The authors argue that by analyzing real-time data and working across systems, it is possible to create communities where homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring.
Soffía Hjördís Ólafsdóttir, head of division for homeless people with high and complex support needs at Reykjavík City, co-authored the article. FEANTSA publishes the journal and works with homeless people in various ways.
Experts from FEANTSA member organizations in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland co-authored the article with Soffía. "This is the result of a year's work, so it's really great to see the article published," Soffía says. "Now we hope it reaches as many people as possible, especially leaders in Nordic municipalities, who can look at how to use real-time data and adapt it to their own setting."
She says Nordic collaboration in this area has grown, which is important and can yield significant results. "Over the past few years, Nordic countries have strengthened their cooperation and created the Nordic Homelessness Alliance. Working with our neighboring countries is vital to see what's working well, what's similar and different, where we stand in comparison, and what expertise we can adopt to build stronger services."
Better overview leads to measurable results
The article follows OECD recommendations for more frequent, accurate, and action-focused data gathering and processing. This approach can strengthen prevention and improve decision-making and funding allocation in the fight against homelessness.
The article's main chapter describes the partnership between the municipality of Kolding and the organization Hjemløsninger. It shows how a real-time data model can create a common overview, make hidden manifestations of homelessness visible, and support a more focused and coordinated approach across service parties and systems. "This is very interesting reading, and I'm happy to share that we have a very similar model here in Reykjavík, where we rely on real-time data and have a comprehensive overview of service users' status and journey through our service process," Soffía says. In Reykjavík, for example, a new registration form and an improved registration system have been developed that meet Data Protection Act requirements, both for emergency services and residential services. "With a clear overview, we achieve better outcomes. We see the results, for instance, in the decrease in shelter guests during 2025, while housing placements increased year-over-year."
All data gathering focuses on improving people's living conditions
She emphasizes that all data collection by Reykjavík City aims to better meet residents' support needs and help improve people's living conditions. "We see very clearly in our field that collaboration among those who support individuals makes all the difference. It's the key to reaching our goals of providing the best and most appropriate support. That's why we work every day to strengthen our connections with other systems, because that's how we work toward shared goals with service users."