Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)

About HMIS

The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is a locally administered, electronic data collection system that stores demographic information about persons who access the homeless services system. It was developed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to ensure the collection of more reliable data regarding the use of homeless programs. All Continuum of Care (CoC) providers are required to utilize HMIS in their programs. 

Locally, HMIS allows the Washtenaw CoC with a means to measure the effectiveness of programs serving people who are experiencing homelessness. The system also provides its users, and service providers with a way to better manage their programs and ultimately their success.

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The Importance Of HMIS 

HMIS is an integral part in producing the Housing Inventory Count (HIC), Point-in-Time Homeless Persons Count (PIT) and the Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR). These reports produce unduplicated information that allows HUD, other planners and policymakers at the Federal, state and local level to better understand the patterns of service use, measure the effectiveness of homeless programs, and make informed decisions.