HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (HMIS)
The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is an electronic record system that enables information gathering about, and continuous case management of, homeless persons across agencies in a particular jurisdiction (city, county, state). Homeless service providers collect information about their clients and input it in the HMIS so that it can be matched with information from other providers to get accurate counts of homeless clients and the services they need.
WA State legislation (ESSHB 2163) requires that Kitsap social service agencies collect data about homeless individuals and households receiving housing and services. This data collection effort, called the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), is part of a statewide effort to collect data about the issue of homelessness in order to better understand the scope of the problem, existing gaps in service, and which homeless housing programs are succeeding.
WA Commerce is responsible for operating an HMIS for counties that participate in federal funding through the Balance of State Continuum of Care process, including Kitsap County. Kitsap County is responsible for managing the Kitsap HMIS.
Kitsap agencies that provide homeless housing and services participate in the Kitsap HMIS Collaborative, an agreement to share client data between agencies. Kitsap's data-sharing system provides benefits such as improved client service, accurate data and reporting for funding sources, and better outcome tracking.
