A key niche of Shelter Forum is generating and disseminating information to stakeholders for purposes of policy advocacy and engagement at the local and international levels. The Information and Documentation Department is therefore the hub of generating and disseminating relevant information that is utilized within the organization and members and partners. The unit facilitates envoicing the marginalized urban communities and profiling issues of access to adequate housing and basic services. The Unit acts as the liason between Shelter Forum, Communities,interest groups,development partners and the media-both print and electronic for purposes of profiling shelter issues. Further, the Unit is responsible for developing an effective management information system which encompasses all the Forum's reports(semi-annual, annual, donor) Publications, Documentation and the Community Information Systems. A major strategy used by the department in generating new information is research. This entails collecting, collating, analyzing, packaging, disseminating the findings on relevant issues to stakeholders using appropriate channels. Research makes it possible to come up with local problems and solutions in the search for appropriate shelter options. The process also facilitates sharing of best practices.

This department is also charged with the responsibility of creating publicity for the organization and its activities. The department has all along linked the organization to the mainstream media in Kenya in order to receive frequent and favorable media coverage and for profiling the organization.

Publicity is also created through coordination of appropriate events such as exhibitions, discussion forums, sports and International day celebrations. In the process of organizing the events, the department designs various promotion materials in the form of posters, calendars, banners, T-shirts, caps, key holders etc. These events are documented through reports, video, audio and photography. The Annual report and the Bulletin are key tools for disseminating the activities of shelter Forum, its members and partners.

Shelter Forum appreciates the importance of building the capacity of its members to share information. The Information and Documentation department is therefore charged with the responsibility of building the capacity of the Shelter Forum members in areas of information and documentation. The department equips Shelter Forum members with skills that are necessary to document and share their work with communities they work in and with other stakeholders. In the process, it trains Shelter Forum members to utilize available tools of communication within their locality and also the modern communication systems such as video and the internet in documentation and disseminating information at national and the community level.

These trainings also help members to appreciate establishment of Community media (print and electronic) and community Resource Centre within their localities. The Information and Documentation department equips the members with essential skills for strategic engagement with the media and other stakeholders for positive coverage and in addressing problems hindering the poor from accessing affordable and decent housing.

 The department manages a resource centre within Shelter Forum secretariat with collection of diverse information in various formats on shelter and related issues.