Questions you might ask yourself or your government about a lack of effectiveness in government spending. Before deciding upon programs, projects and their related budgets, does the government consult with the communities likely to be affected by the proposed initiatives in order to establish their needs and interests? Does government involve those likely to be affected by its decisions—on programs, projects and related budgets—in discussions as to their likely effectiveness? Does the government report on the consultation efforts and factors informing their program, project and related budgetary decisions? When developing programs, projects and their related budgets, does the government assess the likely impact of the programs, projects and spending on people’s enjoyment of their rights? If so, what process does it use? If not, why not? How does the government weigh the likely benefits of diverse options for addressing shortcomings in infrastructure, operation and/or maintenance related to ESC rights? What mechanisms are in place to ensure that it chooses the option that will realize rights in the most effective way? Does the government collect data about the effectiveness of its policies, programs and spending in realizing specific human rights guarantees—such as the availability, accessibility, affordability and quality of housing? If so, who collects the data? Who uses it? If it does not collect such data, why does it not? Does it have a process for involving those actually affected by its programs, projects and related budgets in discussions about their effectiveness?