HMIS Newsletter: March 2026

Table of Contents

• 2026 HIC / PIT
• Announcements
• April Feature Release
• KCRHA Blog
  
• Upcoming Events 
• Bitfocus is Hiring

2026 Housing Inventory and Point-in-Time Count

Reporting for the 2026 Housing Inventory (HIC) and Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is now live! This means we’re actively working with agencies and staff to finalize client and housing program data in HMIS so that we can report to HUD by the upcoming deadline.

This annual effort provides a vital snapshot of both sheltered and unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness in our community.

If you have a housing program, please review the client and program information for the night of the PIT: 01/29/2026

• Client Information: To ensure our community provides HUD with the highest quality data, please verify that all relevant client records—including profile demographics, enrollment/exit dates, move-in dates, and housing services—are complete and up-to-date for the PIT count date.
• Program Information: For all housing projects, please confirm that project start/end dates, available beds and units, and voucher counts are accurate.

Helpful Reports for Preparing for the HIC/PIT: 

• [GNRL-106] Program Roster: This report outlines program stays and relevant inventory information, based on dates you include when you run the report. The report will include a list of all clients who were enrolled, exited, or remained active during the reporting period.
• [GNRL-220] Program Details Report: This report is a detailed review of all relevant profile, enrollment, exit, and housing service data in one place.
• [HSNG-108] Housing Census: This report provides bed occupancy rates by date, with the ability to drill down and see a client list for those dates.
• [HSNG-200] Current Housing Availability: This report summarizes (by housing project type, then program name) the amount of available bed and unit inventory on the night before the report is run. This is most helpful for ensuring your program configurations are accurate.

Thank you again for your diligence and commitment to data quality, which ensures the success and accuracy of our annual PIT Count. If you have any questions, please let us know by emailing us at kcsupport@bitfocus.com.

Announcements

Get Excited! New Clarity Interface Updates

We will be launching the new Clarity Human Services interface in early 2027.

What is the new interface? We know how vital Clarity Human Services is to your community, and we want your users to have the best experience. Our new interface offers:

Top-notch user experience:

• Modern, confidence-inspiring design
• Fewer clicks with information up front
• Mobile-first access on any screen
• Fully 508 compliant

Super-responsive infrastructure:

• Latest technologies for speed and reliability
• Modular design for consistent updates
• API-based for easier growth and integration
  

What’s included in the new interface? Our updates currently focus on the client module, including:

• Client search, enrollment, and exits
• Adding clients, ROIs, services, notes, and assessments
• Managing households
• Enhanced Case Load tabs
• Updated navigation menus
• Coordinated Entry
  

New features will be added as part of our regular release schedule.

Next Steps? Get familiar with the new interface.

Watch the demo:

Start with our 15-minute recording to walk through the key changes
in Clarity Human Services.

Enable the interface (optional):

• Try it out in your live or training site without affecting other users
• Complete this form to register into our New Interface Pilot Program
• Administrators will reach out with next steps and resources

 Explore the layout:

• Get comfortable with the new design and features by following the
  practice steps below.
  

Resources:

• Clarity Human Services - New Look: Demo
• Clarity Human Services - New Look: Common Functions

Bitfocus Feature Release Article

In April, we’re releasing several updates to help your community get the most out of Clarity. Here are some of the key changes you should know about:

• Inventory: Several new pieces of functionality will improve referrals for households with multiple members – allowing end users to continue to work with a single referral but reserve and track beds for everyone in the household and accurately reflect unit/bed availability in the system. We’ve also made some updates to streamline day‑to‑day Inventory management so staff can move faster and with confidence.
• New Interface: We’ve continued to roll out Coordinated Entry workflow functionality in Clarity’s modernized interface. In addition, users can now collect, anonymize, and report on client information more easily. Client forms and files have been improved at the program and client-level – allowing end users to search for file names, rather than scrolling through the screen. Files and forms have been split to ensure cleaner workflows. And the consent refused toggle has been added, making it easier to manage and de-identify clients efficiently.
• Improved Occupancy: This release will include functionality that improves initial occupancy information, allowing the date stamp to include an exact time. This will reduce conflicting occupancy status and prevent erroneous overlaps. In addition, permanent housing programs will also now tie together Housing Move-in Date and unit occupancy start dates.
  

Read the details: Check out the April 2026 Features article and webinar, under News and Announcements, for a deep dive into these changes.

Try it yourself: These updates will be available in your Training Site starting March 23, 2026 and available in your Live Site starting April 6, 2026. If you need help exploring them, reach out to your Bitfocus Administration team: kcsupport@bitfocus.com.

Stay Informed!

Get the Latest News from the KCRHA Blog 

Want to stay in the loop with the King County Regional Homelessness Authority? The KCRHA Blog is the go-to resource for real-time updates on regional efforts. This month, we’re highlighting critical information regarding seasonal shelter openings and the latest Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO). Don’t miss out on important deadlines and community resources. Bookmark the KCRHA Blog today.

Upcoming Events

Coordinated Entry Monthly Assessor Credential Training (ACT) | 4.8.26 @ 9:30am Register here

Users must attend an ACT training before they gain assessors access in the HMIS.

The Monthly Assessor Credential Training is hosted virtually every month. Come prepared to participate in a Coordinated Entry Assessor Onboarding Training that will cover an overview of the system, housing types, service match, documentation, and nomination process, followed by an HMIS demo on your basic assessor workflow.

[Q2] HMIS Agency Administrators Meeting | 4.15.26 @ 10:00am Register here

As the Technical Administrator (Agency Lead), CE Trainer and/or Security Officer for your agency, please join us to stay apprised of all the HMIS happenings within your community! Friendly reminder that attendance at this meeting is required. Security Officers are asked to join us for this January meeting to hear specific reminders about their role.

Bitfocus is Hiring

Join our Team!

• Visit bitfocus.com | Jobs | About Bitfocus

• Work with us at Bitfocus! Join a team committed to innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact in human services.  

Questions?

Your HMIS Administrators are happy to help.

Phone: (206) 444-4001, Ext 2

Email: kcsupport@bitfocus.com