Homeless Management Information Systems
Encyclopedia
Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is the term used to describe a class of database application
s used to confidentially aggregate data on homeless populations served in the United States
.
A Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is a software application designed to record and store client-level information on the characteristics and service needs of homeless persons. An HMIS is typically a web-based software application that homeless assistance providers use to coordinate care, manage their operations, and better serve their clients.
HMIS implementations can encompass geographic areas ranging from a single county to an entire state. An HMIS knits together homeless assistance providers within a community and creates a more coordinated and effective housing
and service delivery system.
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) and other planners and policymakers at the federal, state and local levels use aggregate HMIS data to obtain better information about the extent and nature of homelessness over time. Specifically, an HMIS can be used to produce an unduplicated count of homeless persons, understand patterns of service use, and measure the effectiveness of homeless programs.
Homeless Management Information Systems were first developed in the late 1990s in response to a mandate
by Congress
requiring States to collect this data as a condition of receiving federal money from HUD to serve homeless populations. The impetus behind this mandate was to reduce and eventually solve homelessness, a problem which could never be solved if it was not understood and if progress toward that goal was not tracked.
Most HMIS applications also serve as outcome-based systems that facilitate timely, efficient, and effective access to needed services and supports for person's who are homeless. For instance, percentage of individuals who are housed is a metric used for evaluation. Other data field
s focus on developing a picture of unduplicated counts, use of specific services and the effectiveness of the local homeless assistance systems.
HUD, apparently finding HMIS to be helpful in evaluating success in different grantee jurisdiction
s, and in reporting to Congress, has begun a renewed emphasis on having its Continuum of Care grantees convert to HMIS. 2010-2011 awards will be affected by metrics under HMIS and so some jurisdictions are moving quickly to bring their service provider
s into compliance.
Database application
A database application is a computer program whose primary purpose is entering and retrieving information from a computer-managed database. Early examples of database applications were accounting systems and airline reservations systems, such as SABRE, developed starting in 1957.A characteristic of...
s used to confidentially aggregate data on homeless populations served in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
A Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is a software application designed to record and store client-level information on the characteristics and service needs of homeless persons. An HMIS is typically a web-based software application that homeless assistance providers use to coordinate care, manage their operations, and better serve their clients.
HMIS implementations can encompass geographic areas ranging from a single county to an entire state. An HMIS knits together homeless assistance providers within a community and creates a more coordinated and effective housing
House
A house is a building or structure that has the ability to be occupied for dwelling by human beings or other creatures. The term house includes many kinds of different dwellings ranging from rudimentary huts of nomadic tribes to free standing individual structures...
and service delivery system.
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, also known as HUD, is a Cabinet department in the Executive branch of the United States federal government...
(HUD) and other planners and policymakers at the federal, state and local levels use aggregate HMIS data to obtain better information about the extent and nature of homelessness over time. Specifically, an HMIS can be used to produce an unduplicated count of homeless persons, understand patterns of service use, and measure the effectiveness of homeless programs.
Homeless Management Information Systems were first developed in the late 1990s in response to a mandate
Mandate
Mandate can refer to:*Mandate , an obligation handed down by an inter-governmental body*Mandate , an official or authoritative command; an order or injunction*Mandate , the power granted by an electorate...
by Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
requiring States to collect this data as a condition of receiving federal money from HUD to serve homeless populations. The impetus behind this mandate was to reduce and eventually solve homelessness, a problem which could never be solved if it was not understood and if progress toward that goal was not tracked.
Most HMIS applications also serve as outcome-based systems that facilitate timely, efficient, and effective access to needed services and supports for person's who are homeless. For instance, percentage of individuals who are housed is a metric used for evaluation. Other data field
Data field
A data field is a place where you can store data. Commonly used to refer to a column in a database or a field in a data entry form or web form.The field may contain data to be entered as well as data to be displayed.-See also:*Data dictionary...
s focus on developing a picture of unduplicated counts, use of specific services and the effectiveness of the local homeless assistance systems.
HUD, apparently finding HMIS to be helpful in evaluating success in different grantee jurisdiction
Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction is the practical authority granted to a formally constituted legal body or to a political leader to deal with and make pronouncements on legal matters and, by implication, to administer justice within a defined area of responsibility...
s, and in reporting to Congress, has begun a renewed emphasis on having its Continuum of Care grantees convert to HMIS. 2010-2011 awards will be affected by metrics under HMIS and so some jurisdictions are moving quickly to bring their service provider
Service provider
A service provider is an entity that provides services to other entities. Usually, this refers to a business that provides subscription or web service to other businesses or individuals. Examples of these services include Internet access, Mobile phone operators, and web application hosting...
s into compliance.