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.  Typically, an HMIS is a web-based software application that homeless assistance providers use to coordinate care, manage their operations, and better serve their clients.

An HMIS knits together homeless assistance providers within a community and creates a more coordinated and effective housing and service delivery system.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other planners and policy makers and 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 programs that receive any of the following federal funds are required to participate in HMIS:

• Supportive Housing Program (SHP)
• Shelter Plus Care (S+C)
• Single Room Occupancy Moderate Rehabilitation (SRO Mod Rehab)
• Housing Opportunity for People with Aids (HOPWA)
• Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP)

Programs that receive other sources of funding are not required to participate in HMIS, but are strongly encouraged to do so to contribute to a better understanding of homelessness in our community.