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HMIS
Frequently Asked Questions
Why
should I used HMIS?
In order to be competitive for
homeless funding administered by the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD), agencies that coordinate a Continuum
of Care system must have HMIS implemented their continuum. If you
receive HUD funding, you are required to use to use this system. However, to gain the
fullest understanding of homelessness and the use of homeless
services over time, we are seeking participation from all homeless
service providers, regardless of whether they have or ever will
receive government funding.
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Will
HMIS be good for us?
The
primary purpose of an HMIS is to gather and aggregate data on
homelessness to accurately describe the scope of the problem and
the effectiveness of efforts to ameliorate it.
Beyond data collection, LAHSA is in the unique position to
utilize network technology to effect system-wide change that will
make the CoC truly effective and help reduce homelessness.
By tracking information related to all services utilized by
homeless persons in such a diverse region, we will better
understand services needed, and focus resources and effort towards
our goal of ending homelessness.
In addition, HMIS benefits:
For the Client --
Reduce the time clients must wait to receive services
For the Provider Who
Participates – Provide time and cost savings to
service providers in reporting, intake, assessment processes and
service delivery
For the Continuum of Care
– Shift from homeless service “Activity” to
“Achievement”
For HUD and Other Funders
– Understand patterns of service and housing utilization
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How
can I learn more about HMIS?
Contact the LACoC HMIS Team at LACoCHMIS@lahsa.org
or go to HUD website at hmis.info.
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