Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
A Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is the information system designated by the Continuum of Care to comply with HUD’s data collection, management and reporting standards. The system is used to collect client-level data and data on the provision of housing and services to homeless individuals and families as wells as persons at risk of homelessness.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other planners, policymakers and funding sources at the federal, state and local levels use aggregate HMIS data to obtain better information about the extent and nature of homelessness over time. The HMIS can be used to produce an unduplicated count of homeless persons, understand patterns of service use and measure the effectiveness of homeless programs. This system can also be used to monitor the changing needs of clients receiving services from participating providers.