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About DDJ
The Data Driven Justice (DDJ) initiative was launched in June 2016 with a bipartisan coalition of city, county, and state governments committed to using data-driven strategies to divert low-level offenders with mental illness out of the criminal justice system. DDJ focuses on reducing the high frequency and high cost of repeatedly cycling individuals through the criminal justice system, emergency services, and other public institutional systems. People experiencing homelessness are especially vulnerable to frequent interactions with these systems due to the criminalization of homelessness, as well as lack of access to housing, healthcare, and other services. Diversion from these systems is achieved by focusing on better identifying the individuals frequently involved in those systems through effective data sharing, thus providing cost savings to communities.
Originally launched in June 2016 by the Obama White House with 67 jurisdictions participating, the initiative now includes more than 130 jurisdictions, and is facilitated by the Laura and John Arnold Foundation and the National Organization of Counties (NACo). The Law Center supports a working group of state and local jurisdictions on legal and policy issues related to homelessness, criminal justice, and housing, by providing technical assistance, training, best practices, and peer learning opportunities.
Additional Resources
To find additional DDJ resources, see a list of participating communities, or to find out how to get your community involved in this initiative, please visit NACo's DDJ webpage.
NLCHP Webinars
The Law Center hosts free, quarterly web trainings on topics to help communities achieve their DDJ goals. Recordings of these webinars are available below. You can also access other NLCHP webinars and trainings on our YouTube page.
The Legal, Financial, and Efficacy Implications of Policies and Practices that Serve to Criminalize Homelessness
Sharing Success Stories of Constructive Alternatives to Criminalizing Homelessness
Housing Law & Policy: Preventing Homelessness by Protecting Renters
Public Property / Public Need: Using Vacant Federal Property to End Homelessness
