2017 HomeKeeper Program Recap and 2018 Roadmap
Since 2011, HomeKeeper has helped people like you manage your programs more efficiently and report on your impacts with ease.
Through the years, we’ve remained committed to our core belief that better data begets brighter insights, smarter decisions and bigger impacts.
And we’ve also learned that better systems means better service, stronger stewardship and of course, happier staff.
2017 was a year of change and expansion as we broadened our outreach. By serving a wider range of housing programs, we are able to both meet the demands of our growing user base and work towards long-term sustainability.
We’re excited to share these program accomplishments and updates with you.
HomeKeeper Community
- Our HomeKeeper community continues to expand. We welcomed 7 new organizations in 2017, and have a total of 65 user organizations currently.
- HomeKeeper users are sharing their stories. Two HomeKeeper users shared their Salesforce stories at Dreamforce, the international customer conference for Salesforce.
- In addition, Grounded Solutions Network partnered with Habitat for Humanity International to help produce Habitat’s 2017 Shelter Report on permanently affordable housing profiling HomeKeeper and one of our users, Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County.
- HomeKeeper was featured in the Grounded Solutions Network 2017 Impact Report:
- Building a Data-Driven Sector summarizes the history of HomeKeeper.
- What Does the Data Mean Anyway? shares some of the data from the HomeKeeper National Data Hub.
Product Development
- One of our most exciting new features is the ability to track classes and workshops as Group Sessions. Did you know you can now register individuals and track their attendance over time?
- We made user-driven improvements to our housing counseling features based on feedback from our Early Adopter organizations.
- We’ve begun the process of making HomeKeeper compatible with Lightning, the new Salesforce user interface, so you will be able can access the latest Salesforce features.
- HomeKeeper developed a pathway for NeighborWorks reporting, with Zach Wittrock, of One Roof Housing as a consultant, in coordination with users who report to NeighborWorks.
The HomeKeeper National Data Hub
- In partnership with Vince Wang, Grounded Solutions Network’s Research Manager, we conducted an extensive review of the data aggregated in the National Data Hub in order to better assess the future research potential.
- The HomeKeeper model was featured in a publication by Deloitte Insights as “Bright Spot” in the field of social sector measurement
- Have you seen your data in a Social Impact dashboard? Fifty-three organizations have contributed data to the HomeKeeper National Data Hub. Are you a HomeKeeper Hub contributor? If so, we’ve continued to maintain and update your interactive Social Impact Report, which benchmarks your data against your peers. We also regularly update the Public Dashboard so anyone can view aggregate data.
Support and Training
- We’ve helped you build your HomeKeeper skills. Have you joined us on one of our webinars lately? We’ve hosted 31 this year, including our monthly New User Q&A and Office Hours, and trainings on reporting for beginners or advanced users, mobile use, and Habitat cohorts. Couldn’t attend? View the recordings and see what you missed.
- You asked. We answered. You submitted 13% more tickets in 2017 than 2016. We did our best to help you get the information or support you needed.
- Do you have the “new” improved Support tab? Your tab should say “Support – NEW!” If not, follow this video from 1.12 release notes to update it.
- In-person HomeKeeper training: Join us in Pittsburgh at the Grounded Solutions conference. We plan to offer general and one-on-one in-person training.
- We hear your feedback. We’ll continue to explore one login for support forum and your HomeKeeper.
Other 2017 Highlights
- In 2017, we bid farewell Liz and we welcomed Cheryl to the HomeKeeper team.
- Tiffany visited HUD and the actual of Office of Housing Counseling, where she met with HUD staff and demonstrated HomeKeeper new housing counseling features.
- HomeKeeper and Grounded Solutions Network staff visited Habitat for Humanity Sonoma County to help them better support victims of fires in Wine County.
2018 Roadmap
In 2018, you can expect continued support from us. We will be:
- Assisting you and connecting you with your peers to ensure you are supported and your program is successful. We will continue with office hours, webinars and email ticketing support, as more fully summarized in our 2018 Training and Support Schedule. Remember, you can always contact us at Support@MyHomeKeeper.org, or sign into our support forums to log a ticket.
- Growing the number of housing counseling organizations using HomeKeeper. Now that our Early Adopter Program is wrapping up, we are ready to enroll more organizations. Let us know if you or a counseling agency you work with is looking for a new housing counseling management system.
- Releasing HomeKeeper features. We will release another version of HomeKeeper with new features designed to improve your experience, and we’ll upgrade HomeKeeper so that it is compatible with Salesforce’s new Lightning design.
- Growing our membership. We hope to add at least 15 new members in 2018, and will continue to reach out to community land trusts, Habitat for Humanity affiliates, City inclusionary housing programs and housing counseling agencies. Who do you know that might be able to benefit from HomeKeeper?
- Publishing new research. Grounded Solutions’ Research Manager, Vince Wang, will be publishing a report this year based in part on the data in the HomeKeeper National Data Hub.
Thank you for your continued support as a HomeKeeper user. Without your participation, dedication and commitment, the HomeKeeper program would not be possible! – Tiffany, Cheryl and Valerie
