Interested in becoming a Community HMIS Partner?

What is HMIS and what are its Benefits? 

A Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is an online database that enables organizations to collect data on the services they provide to people experiencing homelessness and people who are at risk for homelessness.

An HMIS allows for confidential coordinated case management and streamlined referrals for people experiencing homelessness and people who are at risk for homelessness. King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) also uses this data to generate numerous types of reports that improve the ability of local organizations to provide access to housing, and services and strengthen our efforts to end homelessness.

What are the goals of HMIS in King County?

HMIS is designed to capture comprehensive and timely information about services supporting persons and families who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness in King County and to measure the results and outcomes of those services. The goals of HMIS are to:

● Ensure accurate data about the nature of homeless services and clients in King County;

● Ensure accurate data about the nature and extent of prevention services provided to households at risk of homelessness in King County;

● Assist in facilitating a coordinated system of care for homeless and at-risk populations;

● Collect data that fulfills federal, state and local requirements for homeless reporting; and

● Provide client information capacity to facilitate potential collaborative information collection and service development and provision initiatives.

What it means to be a participating agency

If you decide your agency would like to be an HMIS participating agency;  thank you! But, I think it's important you understand what this commitment means before you fill out the request form.

•  Being a participating HMIS agency means you commit to upholding the privacy of all data contained in the HMIS
  
  
• You must also commit to maintaining accurate and up-to-date records
  
  
• Additionally, becoming an HMIS participating means you commit to completing all required HMIS trainings before your account creation, and additional training annually to keep your HMIS access
  
  

The next steps to apply for HMIS Access

1. Read over the MOU! As you consider participation, we recommend reading and understanding the requirements by reviewing the MOU. 
2. If you are interested, fill out the "New Agency Request Form" 

After filling out the request form King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) will review your application and consider it for approval.

• If approved, the Bitfocus team will reach out to you for more information!
• If denied, the KCRHA team will reach out to you with information as to why.