November 2023

Welcome to the November HMIS newsletter! 

In this edition you'll find the following: 

• Ask HMIS: How to update your program's shelter beds
• Fresh Support Hour Topics for November and the future
• We're excited to kick off reporting season this November
• The 2024 Data Standards updates have been finalized

In partnership, 

The Data and Analytics Department

Q: How do we update the number of shelter beds we have available in HMIS?



A: All housing and shelter programs in HMIS have a bed inventory that documents the number and category of beds available for clients. It is important that HMIS has accurate information for your program to facilitate referrals through the Coordinated Access System and to make sure that your program enrollments match with your bed inventory for federal reporting purposes.  

HMIS asks that housing and shelter programs promptly update HMIS when changes are made to their bed inventory and check in every quarter to make sure all changes were reported. By being proactive about your bed inventory, you are not just making sure the referral process works smoothly but also safeguarding your organization from unintentional negative impacts on your housing utilization statistics. To update your program's housing inventory in HMIS, please complete the form provided below for your Continuum of Care.

• Yolo CoC Housing Inventory
• Sacramento CoC Housing Inventory

Come and be part of our HMIS support hours in November and beyond! On November 8th, we'll be delving into the new assessment form to ensure you're well-prepared and familiar with its finer details. November 22nd starts our LSA Support Sessions, which will run for the next few months to support any updates and corrections requested of your programs. Make sure to bookmark our 'How Can We Help You' webpage and visit it every week!

In addition to the holidays, we have also entered reporting season. Starting on November 1st, we begin our preparation and data cleanup for the Longitudinal Systems Analysis (LSA), a yearly report mandated by the federal government. Once submitted, our data is combined with information from CoCs across the country and used to create the Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR), which is presented to Congress. Providing accurate and complete data from your program directly impacts the strategic planning for federal, state, and local funding that supports our community's vital work. We look forward to working with you!

Great news! We're excited to announce that the 2024 data standard updates have been successfully integrated into our HMIS. However, your assistance is vital in ensuring its seamless operation. If you happen to identify any missing or malfunctioning fields on your program screens, please promptly inform us. Your vigilance can help us detect and rectify any issues promptly. To learn more, be sure to explore the documents provided below and our Recent E-Blast for comprehensive information. Your active involvement ensures the continued success of our HMIS.

• FY 2024 HMIS Data Dictionary
• FY 2024 HMIS Data Standards Manual

For HMIS support, we encourage you to explore the resources available on our website.

Should you require further assistance or have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us via email at HMIS@SacStepsForward.org. We're here to help!

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