Homeless Management Information System Fact Sheet
The project provides direct benefits to Why we need HMIS? participating agencies and homeless clients. Congressional concern for better homeless data collection and analysis directed HUD to take the lead in working with committees on collaborative data collection systems. Major imperatives in HUD’s McKinney- Vento Act programs are: Assessing the service needs of homeless persons; Ensuring that services are directed to meeting those needs; Assessing the outcomes of the services in nurturing efforts by homeless person to become more self-sufficient; and Reporting to Congress on the characteristics and effectivenss of federal efforts to address homelessness. HUD has made participation in local Continuum of Care HMIS a requirement for communities receiving funding.
What is HMIS? HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) is an online database shared by the agencies which provide services to the homeless in our community. All information is protected at the agency level to meet strict confidentiality standards. The aggregate data is used to identify what services are over-used, what services are needed, and what changes can best meet the needs of homeless persons.
Why is it good for Summit County? Because it is community-wide, this group project means less investment for individual participating agencies. Benefits to the Homeless Community Identification of service gaps and barriers. The ability to share aggregate data with all stakeholders: agencies, funders, government, and planners. The communication of required data in a timely fashion which meets the needs of the City of Akron’s Planning Department, HUD, and participating agencies. The use of aggregate data to decide priorities and future directions throughout the Continuum of Care.
Other Agency Benefits Coordination of Community Homeless Services Standardized, Managed, and Secure Data Trend and Gap Analysis Unduplicated reporting across the Continuum of Care
Continuum of Care Actions A Grant from HUD, the City, and Summit County were awarded to Info Line, Inc. to host the HMIS, ensure the security of the database, and manage implementation project. 3 Homeless Agencies in our Continuum will be set up as Pilot test agencies to work out the bugs before other agencies are added. An HMIS Advisory Committee (made up of Continuum of Care agency representatives) will develop all Program policies and standards, evaluate program criteria, determine use of aggregate HMIS data, and advise Info Line on relevant homeless issues.
How you can help … Support the Continuum of Care in its data collection efforts Promote the benefits of the program to our community For more information, visit www.HMISSummit.net