What is a Homeless
Management Information System?
Inspired by a 2001 Congressional directive, the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD), began implementing a way to collect
unduplicated data on the extent of homelessness at the local level.
Their answer? HMIS (Homeless Management Information Systems).
HMISs are computerized data collection tools designed to capture
client-level information over time on the characteristics and service
needs of men, women, and children experiencing homelessness. The
primary purpose of an HMIS is to gather and aggregate data on
homelessness at local and national levels to accurately describe the
scope of the problem and effectiveness of efforts to ameliorate it. It
provides significant opportunities to improve access to and delivery of
services for people experiencing homelessness and to strengthen
community planning and resource allocations |
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Current Users Login Here |
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How does a HMIS help the providers? |
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An at-your-fingertips statistical
analysis of your consumers including who they are, frequency of services,
needs-assessment, etc. improves the accuracy and efficiency involved in
reporting the data relating to your services to government agencies, in-house
staff, grant-writers, etc.
When applying for funding, HMIS, through its
reporting functions, helps to substantiate the need for financial assistance,
easily illustrating to potential funders trackable and verifiable data relating
to volume, output, and outcome. |
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What does a HMIS do for the
consumers? |
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If we can
better identify who the consumers are that we serve on a grander scale
through statistical analysis and an unduplicated count, then it becomes
possible to envision viable solutions to the increasing problem of
homelessness. To do this, we need to know who they are. Are
they homeless veterans? Single parents? Substance abuse addicts?
Mentally-challenged? Victims of a poor economy? Who exactly
are they? Why are they homeless? What do they need?
Aside from housing, do they need food? Counseling? Medical
assistance? Vocational skills? What services can we offer to
help our consumers become self-sufficient, productive members of
society? |
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Where can I locate my local
HMIS? |
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In 2004,
three of New York's Hudson Valley counties joined forces to combat the
fight against homelessness. Together, Orange, Ulster, and Dutchess
counties formed the Mid-Hudson Valley Homeless Management Information
System (MHVHMIS) to identify and address the needs of our region's
homeless population. In 2007 , Putnam County joined the MHVHMIS
initiative.
With
more than two dozen area agencies and nearly 100 local programs already
on board, the Mid Hudson Valley demonstrates a strong proactive, rather
than reactive, stance against the problem. |
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For more information, please contact:
Kellie Teller
Orange County HMIS Coordinator
RECAP
PO Box 886, 40 Smith Street, Middletown, NY 10940
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