How is the Data Trust used?
The Charlotte Regional Data Trust (Data Trust) is an integrated data system where people can make requests of its data for research, evaluation or planning purposes. As discussed in previous Data Trust Digest articles, the uses of data must be for public good and all requests for data are reviewed by our Data and Research Oversight Committee. Learn more about that governance committee here.
Below, you will find requests people have submitted for Data Trust data so far in 2025:
Note: The projects below are currently in process. This list only reflects projects that have been submitted and approved; requests that are currently under review are not included.
Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance Guaranteed Basic Income Program: Phase 1 Study 2020-2023
Project Lead: Drew Reynolds, Ph.D., Common Good Data Consulting, LLC
This study evaluates the impact of the Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance’s Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) Program, also known as the Gift Card Program. The program began in 2020 to provide direct financial support to members who live in the Lakeview community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aims to determine whether the program provides benefits to participants beyond immediate economic relief. Using a quasi-experimental approach, it will compare outcomes for GBI participants with those of similar individuals in Mecklenburg County, analyzing their interactions with social services, public systems, and nonprofit organizations.
The datasets requested and approved for this study are as follows:
- Mecklenburg County Department of Community Resources – Economic Services
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
- Homeless Management Information Systems
- Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont
- Crisis Assistance Ministry
- Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office – Booking
- Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office – Arrest Processing Center
- Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance
Assessing the Role of Peer Support Specialists in Housing Stability Using the Homeless Management Information System: A Retrospective Matched Cohort Study
Project Lead: Lindsay Miller, UNC Charlotte College of Health and Human Services, Epidemiology and Community Health
The purpose of this study is to understand the relationship between the implementation of Peer Support Specialists (PSS) and re-entry to homelessness services among people in Mecklenburg County, NC. This study will explore the association between organizational and individual-level factors (such as history of homelessness) and housing retention. From an organizational perspective, this study will assess the relationship between people who transition to permanent housing programs that offer peer support services and their housing stability compared to those who are in housing programs without peer support, controlling for covariates or variables in a study that are not the primary focus, but may influence an outcome.
Additionally, this study will assess how individual-level factors moderate the relationship between peer support services and housing retention. This study will employ a matched retrospective cohort design to assess study aims. This request is part of Miller’s dissertation.
The datasets requested and approved for this study are:
- Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS includes 35+ organizations sharing their data with Mecklenburg County Community Support Services)
SECU – The Rise on Clanton
Project Lead: Eric Moore, Ph.D., UNC Charlotte Urban Institute
The intent of this project is to examine the effects of housing individuals experiencing homelessness in a new residential living building – SECU The Rise on Clanton – which is managed by Roof Above. This will be a multi-phase project in the first phase will:
1. Describe the residents of The Rise, including demographics and previous experiences with homelessness.
2. Describe the resident’s use of local support services, criminal justice involvement and healthcare utilization.
3. Determine the feasibility of a comparison group in Phase 2 and reach an agreement with Roof Above on the research design.
Data from local health care entities such as Advocate/Atrium Health, Novant Health and Medic will also be included in this study, and data-sharing negotiations are underway.
The datasets requested and approved for this study are:
- Homeless Management Information Systems
- Mecklenburg County Department of Community Resources – Economic Services
- Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office – Booking
- Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office – Arrest Processing Center
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
- External program list from Roof Above
Understanding How Charlotte Bilingual Preschool Prepares Dual Language Learners for Success in Elementary School
Project Lead: Drew Gadaire, Ph.D., UNC Charlotte Department of Psychological Sciences
This study seeks to understand how Charlotte Bilingual Preschool graduates’ engagement, academic performance, and behavior in Kindergarten through 5th grade compares with Latino students in two matched comparison groups, who did not attend Charlotte Bilingual Preschool. Additionally, this study examines whether, and how, the engagement and experiences of students and families at Charlotte Bilingual Preschool relate to students’ engagement, academic achievement and behavior in elementary school. Study findings will inform Charlotte Bilingual Preschool’s continuous quality improvement efforts, enhance understanding of the effects of dual-language immersion early childhood education (ECE) programs, and inform future early childhood programs and policies to prepare dual-language learners from Spanish-speaking households for success in elementary school and beyond.
The datasets requested and approved for this study are as follows:
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
- External dataset from Charlotte Bilingual Preschool
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Quality of Life Explorer Update
Project Lead: Katie Zager, UNC Charlotte Urban Institute
Data from the Data Trust areis part of the Quality of Life Explorer. Each year, the team behind the Explorer submits a request to update the following variables:
- Food and Nutrition Services
- Graduation rate
- Student attendance (to calculate student absenteeism)
- Test proficiency in elementary, middle and high school
- Neighborhood school attendance
The datasets requested and approved for this study are as follows:
- Mecklenburg County Department of Community Resources – Economic Services
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
State of Our Data Report
Project Lead: Sydney Idzikowski, UNC Charlotte Urban Institute + Regional Data Trust
The purpose of this project is to understand the groups represented in partner agency datasets at the Charlotte Regional Data Trust and how it compares to the Mecklenburg County population (or subpopulations, as applicable). This project also seeks to understand how people are linked across the programs, organizations, and systems within the data at the Data Trust. This project informs the Charlotte Regional Data Trust Board of Directors, its committees and stakeholders about the nature of the Data Trust’s data holdings, and will help the board and committees. This is an ongoing study, where data is requested annually to produce an annual State of Our Data report.
The datasets requested and approved for this study are as follows:
- Crisis Assistance Ministry
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
- Mecklenburg County Department of Community Resources – Economic Services
- Mecklenburg County Child, Family, and Adult Services – Abuse and Neglect Investigations
- Mecklenburg County Child, Family, and Adult Services – Family in Home Services,
- Mecklenburg County Child, Family, and Adult Services – Children in Custody
- Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont
- Homeless Management Information Systems
- Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office – Booking
- Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office – Booking – Arrest Processing Center
- Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region – Homeowner
- Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region – Critical Home Repair
- The Housing Collaborative
- City of Charlotte Housing and Neighborhood Services – House Charlotte
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
- Inlivian
The Data Trust is a resource for both UNC Charlotte and the larger community. We work diligently to source, secure, and ensure robust data is available so it can be used for the good of the community.
Interested in submitting a request for data or learning more about the Data Trust?
- Explore our website
- Review the process for submitting a request and available data
- Reach out to the Data Trust to learn more or to schedule office hours at DataTrust@charlotte.edu