700 Voices United to Tackle Homelessness
Homelessness in the U.S. has reached record levels—but we believe rigorous research can help reverse the trend. In 2024, more than 770,000 people were unhoused—a staggering 18% increase from last year. Family homelessness surged 39%, underscoring the urgent need for solutions based on evidence, not guesswork.
LEO’s Director of Research, David Phillips, joined a panel of experts in a webinar that drew nearly 700 attendees. The conversation examined the roots of today’s crisis, interventions that are making a difference, and the power of scaling solutions that work. The response was clear: when we share knowledge, we unlock new opportunities to drive change.
Discovery Days: Redefining How Partnerships Begin
A strong partnership starts with shared purpose. That’s why LEO created Discovery Days—not as a starting point, but as the capstone of a thoughtful, collaborative vetting process. In the weeks leading up, potential partners work closely with LEO’s project development team to refine their ideas and shape promising research opportunities. Then, at Discovery Day, they travel to Notre Dame to present their vision and engage in open, meaningful dialogue with LEO researchers. This dynamic model builds trust from the very beginning—laying the groundwork for evidence-driven partnerships that lead to real impact.
Bringing Evidence to Policymakers at Stanford
LEO assistant professor of research economics, Mary Kate Batistich, recently spoke at Stanford’s Hoover Institution Annual Conference on State and Local Policy Research. For the second consecutive year, she shared insights on bridging research and policy, drawing from LEO’s work on the Step-Up program.
Reflecting on the experience, Mary Kate noted: “What makes this conference so powerful is the collaboration—researchers and policymakers working together to navigate challenges like data-sharing and program alignment. These conversations ensure that evidence leads to meaningful action.”
Her impact extended beyond the conference. Stanford’s Institute for Economic Policy Research invited her to stay for additional discussions on housing and homelessness, opening doors for future collaboration.
Evidence Matters: Turning Data into Opportunity
Research doesn’t change lives unless it’s shared. In February, LEO and King County hosted Evidence Matters, featuring researchers from Opportunity Insights at Harvard University. Their presentation explored key findings on economic mobility and introduced Opportunity Atlas—a data tool mapping opportunity gaps across the U.S.
Attendees walked away with actionable insights on how to use data to drive change in their own communities. This convening reinforced LEO’s mission: turning research into impact.
Scaling What Works: The LEO Replication Model
We believe that when something works, we don’t stop—we scale. At LEO, we go beyond identifying effective interventions; we partner with social service providers to expand their reach, bringing proven solutions to new communities so more people can benefit.
Our structured approach moves programs through:
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Defining the Program – Identifying the essential elements that drive impact.
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Packaging the Program – Developing a roadmap for successful replication.
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Replicating the Program – Expanding reach while maintaining effectiveness.
In March, LEO hosted its second Replication Convening, bringing together experts from research, policy, and service delivery to explore how to scale interventions through social franchising. These convenings move us closer to a future where every community has access to proven solutions.