HUD requires each CoC to collect and report certain information about the people they serve as part of their homeless response system. The Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) are the data systems communities use to collect and analyze client, service, and housing information. HUD does not provide or mandate that community’s use a particular software. Each community can select their own, as long as it is able to collect the required data elements and support reporting requirements.
HUD requires every community to collect and track specific data points about the individuals that they serve, including basic client information; benefits, insurance, sources of income; and Information about client’s interaction with the homeless response system.