What is HMIS?
Homeless Management Information System
The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is a computerized data collection tool specifically designed to capture client-level, system-wide information over time on the characteristics and services needs of men, women and children experiencing homelessness. HMIS allows the aggregation of client-level data across homeless service agencies to generate unduplicated counts and service patterns of clients served.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) National Data and Technical Standards establish baseline standards for participation, data collection, privacy and security and the El Paso Continuum of Care has developed the attached local participation standards (Participation Standards document) and HMIS Charter (HMIS Charter). Implementation of HMIS is a requirement for receipt of HUD McKinney-Vento funding.
To learn more about the Homeless Management Information System, click HERE.
The El Paso Coalition for the Homeless is the local HMIS lead agency utilizing the Clarity HS software from Bitfocus, Inc. For more information on the vendor or the product, click here Clarity Human Services . For questions regarding local HMIS usage, set up, training needs, contact Gary Gray at [email protected] and Denver Herald at [email protected] or call the El Paso Coalition for the Homeless at 915-843-2170.
What is the Comp DB?
Comparable Database
Victim service providers, as referenced in the HMIS Proposed Rule, cannot input client-level information into the certified local HMIS system under the standard privacy and security settings. Victim service providers, instead, must enter client information into a separate Comparable Database (Comp DB), and provide aggregate data to the Continuum of Care (CoC).
A Comparable Database must comply with HMIS requirements. Within the HMIS Proposed Rule, a Comparable Database is an alternative system that victim service providers use to collect client-level data over time and to generate aggregate reports based on the data. CoC and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funds may be used to establish and operate a Comparable Database that collects client-level data over time and generates aggregate reports based on the data. The CoC and victim service providers must work with the HMIS lead to determine if a system is a Comparable Database and document that the alternative system meets all HUD system requirements.
To learn more about the Comparable Database, click HERE.
The El Paso Coalition for the Homeless is a Comp DB administrator utilizing the Clarity HS software from Bitfocus, Inc. For more information on the vendor or the product, click here Clarity Human Services-Comp DB . For questions regarding local Comp DB usage, set up, training needs, contact Denver Herald at [email protected] or call the El Paso Coalition for the Homeless at 915-843-2170.
HUD HMIS Manual Comparable Database Manual
HMIS-Data-Standards-Manual-2024 FY-2024-HMIS-Comparable-Database-Manual
HMIS-Data-Dictionary-2024
VA-Programs-HMIS-Manual-2024
El Paso HMIS Participation Standards
EPCH_HMIS_Participation Standards Aug 2020
El Paso HMIS Policies and Procedures
EPCH HMIS Policies Procedures
EPCH HMIS Data Quality Plan
HMIS USER Satisfaction Surveys
HMIS Steering Committee Meeting Agenda & Minutes
The El Paso CoC HMIS Steering Committee Meeting is held on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 10am to 11am MNT via Zoom. This meeting is for all users of either HMIS or the Comparable Database. If you would like to participate in this meeting, please contact Gary Gray, Denver Herald or Camille Castillo at (915)843-2170.