New Research Findings Released: Lived Expertise Action and Research Network Survey

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This week, the National Alliance to End Homelessness released research findings from their Lived Expertise Action and Research Network Survey.

This blog provides an overview of the survey, study findings, and what these findings may mean for Mecklenburg County.

LIVED EXPERIENCE ACTION AND RESEARCH NETWORK (LEARN)

In Fall 2024, the National Alliance to End Homelessness’ (NAEH) Homelessness Research Institute (HRI) initiated the Lived Experience Action and Research Network (LEARN) Project as a national research effort grounded in lived expertise. The project is guided by a seven-member research team composed primarily of individuals who have both experienced homelessness and worked within the homeless response system. The team also includes a system leader with extensive experience partnering with people with lived expertise (PWLE). This group serves as NAEH’s 2024–2025 Lived Expertise Research Team and is working collaboratively to build a national Lived Experience Action and Research Network (LEARN).

The LEARN Project examines how lived expertise is integrated across homeless response systems, including the roles PWLE hold in direct service, leadership, and decision-making, and the systemic barriers they encounter. Although existing research and practice literature suggest the value of lived experience in shaping effective homelessness interventions, little national-level research has focused specifically on the experiences of staff with lived experience and how their insights strengthen system outcomes.

ABOUT THE SURVEYS

To inform the LEARN Project, the research team developed two national surveys: one capturing the perspectives of current and former homeless response workers with lived experience, and another focused on leaders of organizations and Continuums of Care (CoCs) that employ or collaborate with people with lived expertise (PWLE).

The first survey was completed by nearly 1,000 current and former homeless response workers with lived experience. After removing incomplete responses, the research team analyzed 770 surveys from individuals serving in a wide range of roles, including direct service, outreach, management, and advisory positions, and representing communities across the country. The second survey received 512 responses from leaders of homeless service organizations and Continuums of Care, capturing perspectives from executive and program leadership in urban, suburban, and rural settings. Many survey questions were open-ended, and the LEARN team followed up directly with respondents to capture additional context and deepen understanding of the findings.

Together, these surveys provide national-level insight into PWLE’s roles, experiences, and contributions, while highlighting opportunities to strengthen how systems support and partner with lived expertise. By centering lived experience throughout the research process, the project identifies patterns, challenges, and opportunities that can inform more equitable workforce practices and improve the effectiveness of homeless response systems nationwide.

KEY FINDINGS

Key findings from the surveys are presented in seven essays authored by members of the LEARN team. Below is a brief overview of each essay, illustrating how PWLE strengthen the homeless response system and the structural challenges they navigate as part of the workforce.

Overall, the findings show that despite low pay, limited advancement opportunities, stigma, and chronic underfunding, PWLE play a critical role in efforts to end homelessness. Their perspectives strengthen outreach, improve connections to housing, and help prevent homelessness. The findings also highlight persistent workforce challenges that undermine system effectiveness. Low wages, inadequate benefits, and insufficient resources result in burnout and high turnover among many homeless response workers. PWLE often face additional barriers, including weak financial and social safety nets, stigma, and limited access to leadership roles. System leaders also consistently shared that PWLE make the system work better, but their impact cannot be sustained without meaningful investment. Fair compensation, healthcare, and ongoing professional development are essential for all homeless response workers.

Essay One:  Packing a Powerful Punch: Survey Reveals that People with Lived Expertise Improve Every Corner of the Field: This essay highlights the measurable impact people with lived experience of homelessness have on homeless response systems. Their involvement strengthens client-centered services, policy and program design, funding decisions, and organizational culture, resulting in stronger outcomes.

Essay Two:  The Field Must Make More Room for More Lived Experience Leaders: This essay finds that despite their proven impact on preventing homelessness, connecting people to housing, and strengthening funding competitiveness, PWLE remain significantly underrepresented in leadership and decision-making roles within homeless response systems. Survey results suggest the need to expand pathways to leadership for PWLE so that systems can fully benefit from their expertise.

Essay Three:  Overcoming Tokenism: Creating a New Reality for Lived Experience Workers: This essay reveals that many people with lived experience of homelessness are included in homeless response systems in ways that feel tokenizing rather than empowering, limiting their influence and contributing to emotional distress and burnout. Survey insights point to the need to move beyond symbolic inclusion by providing real decision-making authority, trauma-informed support, and mental health resources so PWLE can fully contribute and thrive in this work.

Essay Four:  Reconsidering Strict Education Requirements and Ensuring that Professional Development is Accessible: This essay documents how strict education requirements and limited access to affordable professional development exclude many PWLE from entering and advancing within the homeless response workforce, despite their demonstrated skills and impact. Survey findings suggest that removing unnecessary degree requirements and investing in training and advancement pathways would allow systems to better leverage lived expertise and strengthen outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.

Essay Five:  Low Pay Costs the Homeless Response System Talented Workers: This essay shows that PWLE are among the lowest-paid and most financially vulnerable workers in the homeless response system. Survey results reveal that many PWLE work multiple jobs, struggle to meet basic needs, and even risk returning to homelessness, underscoring the urgent need for livable wages and stronger workforce supports to retain talent and strengthen system effectiveness.

Essay Six:  People with Lived Experience Are Forced to Justify and Defend Their Work: This essay documents how PWLE are frequently required to justify their roles, advocate for basic support, and relive personal trauma in ways that colleagues without lived experience are not. These factors contribute to stress, burnout, and underutilization of their expertise. Survey findings suggest that reducing stigma, sharing decision-making power, and investing in trauma-informed and workforce supports would allow systems to better leverage lived experience and improve overall effectiveness.

Essay Seven:  Leaders Want to Support Workers with Lived Experience; How Can They Make Sure to Do So?: This essay shows that while many system leaders intend to support and partner with PWLE, those efforts often fall short of meaningful inclusion and real decision-making power. Survey findings point to a disconnect between intention and impact, suggesting that stronger pathways to influence, professional development, and shared leadership are needed for PWLE to fully shape and strengthen homeless response systems.