Assessment rates two Bayaud shelter sites “developing”; finds low incomes, limited case management and site disparities

A private vendor, Be Connected, presented a data‑driven assessment of two Bayaud Enterprises shelter sites to the Safety, Housing, Education and Homelessness Committee on Jan. 15, reporting an overall score of 68 percent and a classification of “developing.” Britney Catalinas, founder and CEO of Be Connected, and Tim Schmitz, head of data, described the assessment methodology and site‑level findings.

Be Connected said the assessment used a patented social‑determinants‑of‑health framework across five domains — economic stability, health and well‑being, social supports, management and maintenance infrastructure, and service effectiveness — and normalized multiple indicators to generate the composite score. Catalinas said the snapshot was based on data collected in June 2024 from two sites: the Stay Inn (a 66‑unit congregate shelter in District 8) and a former Radisson motel (about 211 units, District 5).

Catalinas summarized the three highest‑priority findings the assessment identified: severe economic challenges among residents, limited access to case management, and variability in service effectiveness and infrastructure across sites. The presentation reported average monthly incomes reported by guests as roughly $90 at the Stay Inn and about $450 at the Radisson, and said between 69 and 81 percent of guests reported zero income. Catalinas said the assessment found that guests with any income were three times more likely to achieve permanent housing and that fewer than half of guests had access to case management services.

Catalinas read a guest comment during the briefing to illustrate the program’s impact: “I have a place to stay which offers much more stability, and I am way less stressed out,” she said, attributing the sentence to a resident quoted in the survey. The presentation also showed differences between the two buildings: the Stay Inn had higher positive response rates on hygiene and nutrition metrics, while the Radisson had higher reported substance‑use concerns and lower service ratings in some health domains.

Be Connected’s recommended action plan included short‑term (0–90 day) steps such as expanding on‑site case management access and transportation supports; medium‑term (90–180 day) workforce and service integration goals; and longer‑term infrastructure and housing transition work. Catalinas told the committee Be Connected can provide a full 40–50 page report and dashboards for continued monitoring.

Council members asked about sample coverage and housing placement systems. Catalinas and Schmitz said the presentation’s snapshot relied on the data collected at the two sites and described the survey coverage as representing a substantial sample of guests at those locations; Councilmember Chantal Lewis (District 8) — who requested the assessment — and Bayaud staff were described as partners in the work. Catalinas said Bayaud had begun using the data to guide internal improvements and to inform funding and operational decisions. Tim Schmitz said Be Connected’s system allows for continuous resident feedback and the vendor offered to incorporate additional tracking measures requested by the city or operator.

Why it matters: the assessment provides a data basis to prioritize investments and operational changes at two high‑capacity shelter sites. The report highlights large income gaps among residents, limited case management coverage and differences in how services and infrastructure perform site to site.