What is HMIS?

Minnesota’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is a web-based database used by over 220 homeless service organizations across the state to collect client-level data on households experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

HMIS is used to:

• Report to funders.  Program-level reporting via HMIS is required by several federal and state funders. 
• Assess community-wide and statewide responses to homelessness.  Individual program data is aggregated to identify trends such as: changes in the number and characteristics of people experiencing homelessness; the length of time people spend homeless in a given community; and returns to homelessness after exiting a program. 
• Facilitate service delivery.  Coordinated Entry referrals are primarily made in HMIS and Coordinated Entry priority lists are maintained in HMIS.  In Hennepin County, HMIS is also used to facilitate access to single adult shelters. 
• Support research and advocacy efforts.  In recent years, HMIS data has been used to assess youth homelessness, evaluate pilot programs, and identify and address racial disparities. 

Read more: About HMIS | Who Participates | HMIS Overview for Clients and Staff