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 and used to collect client-level data and data on the provision of housing and services to homeless individuals and families and persons at risk of homelessness.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other planners and policymakers at 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.

• HMIS Guidance
• VA HMIS Guidance
• HMIS Software Provider Guidance

VA HMIS Guidance

VA HMIS Resources

View the following resources or visit the Homeless Veterans page of the VA website for more resources.

• VA HMIS Participation Memo (12/21/10)
• HUD HMIS Participation Listserv Announcement (12/30/10)
• Veteran Homelessness: A Supplemental Report to the 2010 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress
• Veteran Homelessness: A Supplemental Report to the 2009 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress
• VA HMIS National Call Presentation Slides (PDF) | View Video

VA HMIS Questions

• Questions about HMIS participation of VA-funded programs should be submitted to OneCPD Ask A Question.
• If you have specific questions about the VA's Strategic Plan please contact John Kuhn at John.Kuhn2@med.va.gov.

Veterans Homelessness Prevention Demonstration Program (VHPD) HMIS Templates and Guidelines

• VHPD HMIS Data Quality Standards and Policies
• VHPD HMIS Data Collection Template Instructions
• VHPD Summary of Data Standard Applicability and Collection Requirements
• VHPD HMIS Data: Program Intake Form
• VHPD HMIS Data: Program Exit Form