Lived Experience Engagement Toolkit
The best practices that you find on this page have been carefully collected and distilled from dozens of hours of focus groups and 1:1 conversations with people with lived experience of homelessness and housing instability.
We are extremely grateful for the generosity with which people shared their experiences and recommendations, and the nonprofits, government entities, and others working tirelessly to strengthen their engagement activities so that their services can have the most positive impact.
Principles of Lived Experience Engagement
​Preparing to Engage:
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Determine your level of engagement by using a tool such as the IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation to help you decide how much power you will share with those being engaged before the engagement begins. Once you have decided your level of engagement and power sharing, incorporate that information in all communications and onboarding information on your project.
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Copyright International Association of Public Participation
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Get clear on the roles and responsibilities of all people involved in the engagement – those engaging, and those being engaged. People with lived experience of homelessness and housing instability have all different kinds of experiences, and are not experts in everything there is to know, so be sure you know what qualifications and experience you need at the table, communicating clearly and transparently during your recruitment process.
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To ensure inclusivity and accessibility, offer flexible engagement methods such as in-person meetings, virtual calls, phone interviews, and written feedback. Locate engagement opportunities on public transit lines and wheelchair accessible buildings, and use materials written in plain language that avoids undefined acronyms or field-specific jargon. Ask about and be prepared to accommodate specific needs, such as ASL interpretation, large print, and low-sensory spaces for breaks.
Once Engagement Begins:
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Use an established onboarding process that provides written and visual information including: timeframe for the engagement, background and goals of the project, expectations, how much decision-making power each person has, and compensation.
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People with lived experience are subject matter experts, and should be compensated as such. The amount your organization uses as a standard for consultants is the best practice, and adherence to the minimum housing wage for your region is the minimum practice. Most importantly, respect and adhere to the compensation expectations of those you are engaging.
Ensure you understand the impacts of financial compensation on eligibility for public benefits, and be prepared to offer choices (e.g., paper check, direct deposit, cash app transfer, gift card, cash) in how people can receive compensation.
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Dedicate time to cultivating relationships and building trust – it’s the only way you’ll really know if your engagement process is working. Take accountability for harm caused during your engagement process and work to improve the process based on feedback you receive. Establish and use feedback loops to ensure you are continuously improving and building on your relationships.
THANK YOU!!!
