HomeStart

Built a custom survey managment web application to collect data from 1,100+ clients annually

Web Development

Pro Bono

Shipped

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Overview

LIs HomeStart is a Boston nonprofit that provides housing solutions to over 1,100 clients annually.

Yet, the organization lacked a system to gather feedback data, which was vital for obtaining additional government funding.

As the sole UI/UX designer on a 13-person JumboCode team, I led a yearlong effort to create a custom survey management website that contributed to HomeStart securing $12.8 M in funding for 2025.

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My Role

UI/UX Designer – Project Timeline, User Flows, Prototyping, Developer Handoff

Team

Rebecca Dinsmore, Project Manager
Rusny Rahman, Technology Lead
10 Developers

Timeline & Status

Sep 23 - May '24, Launched May 2024

Project Outcomes

1,100+

Clients surveyed annually

(2024 HomeStart report)

$12.8M

Funding awarded for 2025

(2024 HomeStart report; survey data one supporting factor)

Custom-built survey platform

(previously did not have a system)

Summary

⬇️ Jump to final screens

About

HomeStart needed client feedback to secure funding—but had no way to collect it

Through JumboCode, we were partnered with HomeStart to solve a critical challenge: they had no way to collect feedback from the 1,100+ clients they served each year. That missing data made it harder to prove their impact, and jeopardized their ability to secure future funding. Our goal was to design a simple, responsive survey platform that both clients and administrators could use with ease.

A year of sprints and standups leading to one final handoff

Over the course of nine months, I collaborated with a project manager, tech lead, and ten developers in an agile workflow with two-week sprints. After multiple rounds of design iteration and feedback, we deployed the site and handed off a fully functional survey platform to HomeStart’s team for ongoing use.

Timeline

Tech Stack

JavaScript

React

Tailwind

MongoDB

Prisma

Research

Competitive Analysis

Survey Monkey

• Prewritten questions with many types
• Features like A/B testing, data analytics

Google Forms

• Quickly create custom surveys
• Visual and numerical data analysis

Qualtrics

• Advanced market research tools
• Features have a steep learning curve

_____

Since the client requested a simple interface, I took inspiration from Google Forms

User Personas

Goals

• Acquire affordable housing
• Secure a reliable income source

Goals

• Ease the housing search process
• Centralize all survey responses

Needs

• Support finding a new home
• Access to essential resources

Needs

• Easy access to feedback data
• Central database with filters

_____

Website interface should be easily accessible by both HomeStart clients & admin

User Flow

Client Goal: Take the survey

Admin Goal: Create new survey

_____

Navigation should be optimized for quick access to surveys & data

Prototypes

Ideation

_____

Based on client feedback and developer capabilities, I adapted the design to fit more survey additions

High Fidelity

Data Management

• Simple: client only wanted to include basic survey management features
• Accessible: survey results can be easily accessed and allow users to quickly scan significant data points

New Survey

• Basic: client requested 3 standard question types (multiple choice, short answer, and checkboxes)
• Intuitive: admin can quickly move between survey questions and customize the content

Final Screens