About HMIS

Over the past several years, Congress has directed the U.S. Department of Urban Development (HUD) to assist local jurisdictions in implementing Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) and in using data from these systems to obtain an unduplicated count of homeless persons, analyze local patterns of services usage, and assess local service needs.

A HMIS is a computerized data collection application designed to capture client-level information over time on the characteristics and service needs of homeless persons.  The development of a local HMIS is about:

(1) Bringing the power of computer technology to the day-to-day operations of individual service providers;

(2) Knitting together service providers in a more coordinated and effective service delivery system for the benefit of homeless clients; and

(3) Obtaining and reporting critical aggregate information about the characteristics and nees of homeless persons.

One of HUD's major goals in this HMIS initiative is to help individual homeless service providers access the very best computer technology to assist them in their day-to-day operations and to help increase the effective coordination of services in the Continuum of Care (CoC).

HUD expects that all CoCs will make substantial progress toward meeting the Congressional direction for full implementation of HMIS by October 2004, and all recipients of HUD McKinney-Vento Act program funds are expected to participate in an HMIS.

Today's advanced HMIS software combines a number of functionalities to enhance individual service provider operations and to link providers together into a broader CoC data-sharing system.  These functionalities include:

Client Profile: Client demographic data obtained at intake and exit.

Client Assessment: Information on clients' needs and goals, as well as case management and treatment plans.

Service Outcomes: Client-level data on services provided, progress, outcomes, and follow-up.

Information & Referral/Resource Directories: Timely data on the network of available services within the Continuum to determine eligibility and provide referrals.

Operations: Operational functionality that permits staff to manage day-to-day activities, including bed availability and incident management.

Reporting: Generating reports containing client-level data and aggregate data for internal use as well as external reporting, including the production of the HUD Annual Progress Reports (APR).

All of these functions assume (1) appropriate client confidentiality according to laws and regulations, (2) agencies continue to use their own requirements for acceptance into service, (3) agency information is confidential, and (4) detailed protocols and agreements on access to data and information sharing are executed among participating providers.

The expected benefits of the HMIS are:

For the Client -- Improved coordination of care and services; improved knowledge about services and beds available; potential linkage to other service delivery systems in the future; reduced duplication of information gathering/sharing if elements such as common / central intake and shared case management are operationalized; potential direct access to information in the future if kiosk or similar option is added; protection of client confidentiality.

For the Provider Who Participates in the HMIS -- Automated reporting; reduction in number of reports produced; improved internal and external data; improved ability to serve clients; automated information for management and case managers; improved client tracking; potential to streamline referral processes; potential for strengthened partnerships through participation; meet HUD reporting requirements

For the Continuum of Care -- Improved information about system and system needs for funding, decision-making and policy; improve information for the Rural Arizona Continuum of Care Exhibit 1 application to HUD and other funding applications; improved ability to identify and quantify gaps in the system; credibility; potential for strengthened partnership among components of the community system

For HUD and Other Funders -- Improved information about system and system needs for funding, decision-making and policy

For the General Community -- Better information about people who are experiencing homelessness, the causes and the trends and future needs will help the general community to better plan for affordable housing and support for people who are at-risk of becoming or returning to homelessness; better information about housing and support needs will enable interested parties to better market these needs to potential funders and policy–makers.

The Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) is a new state agency established October 1, 2002 and operates many programs previously administered by the State of Arizona through housing offices in the Department of Commerce, and later the Governor’s Office of Housing Development, including: CDBG, HOME Investment Partnership Program, State Housing Trust Fund, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program, Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA), Shelter Plus Care, and the Supportive Housing Program. As well, ADOH oversees the activities of the Arizona Housing Finance Authority and the Arizona Housing Commission.  ADOH also leads the Rural Arizona Continuum of Care.

ADOH serves as the lead agency and project sponsor for the HMIS project and is the HUD grantee for the SHP grant for HMIS.

Symmetric Solutions, Inc. ("Symmetric") is a consulting firm that specializes in the planning, selection, and implementation of HMIS solutions. Symmetric does not develop or sell HMIS software. Instead, Symmetric works with Continuums of Care and homeless provider agencies in areas such as planning for HMIS implementations, selecting HMIS software and implementation teams, training users, developing interfaces, and project management.

Founded in 1995, Symmetric has operations in Hood River, Oregon and Phoenix, Arizona. Symmetric consulting professionals serve clients nationwide. In the past few years, Symmetric has worked with over 35 Continuum of Care organizations across the country. Symmetric was also the implementation team for the Maricopa Continuum of Care HMIS implementation for the first two years of implementation (2002 - 2004).

The Special Needs Housing  organization of the Arizona Department of Housing provides oversight and guidance for the HMIS implementation.  Additional project governance and oversight is provided by the members of the Rural Arizona Continuum of Care which includes the local CoC chairpersons from each County CoC.

For more information or for questions on participating, contact: