Homeless Management Information System.
HMIS is the federal database that tracks every person experiencing homelessness, every bed, and every housing outcome. It is the foundation of a data-driven system — and HUD requires it of every CoC.
The data engine behind every decision.
Without HMIS, a community is flying blind. With it, case managers can see a person's full service history, coordinators can match people to the right housing, and funders can see measurable outcomes. HUD uses HMIS data to calculate System Performance Measures — the metrics that determine competitive grant funding levels.
Houston/Harris County's $45M annual HUD award is possible in part because their HMIS data is comprehensive and demonstrates consistent, measurable improvement year over year. HUD funds communities that can prove outcomes. HMIS is how you prove them.
What HMIS Tracks
Every person served — demographics, housing history, services received, exits, and outcomes. Every bed in the system. Every housing placement. Aggregated into the reports HUD requires annually.
Privacy & Confidentiality
HMIS data is governed by strict federal privacy standards under the HEARTH Act. Personal information is never shared publicly. Clients provide informed consent. Data is used only to improve services and report to HUD.
HUD-Required Reports
The Annual Homeless Assessment Report, the Point-in-Time Count, the Housing Inventory Count, the Longitudinal Systems Analysis, and the six System Performance Measures — all generated from HMIS data.
The By-Name List
HMIS generates Cleveland County's By-Name List — a real-time registry of every person experiencing homelessness actively engaged with the system. Used at monthly Coordinated Case Management meetings to match people to housing.
System Performance
HUD calculates six performance measures from HMIS data annually. These scores determine competitive funding. Cleveland County's exit-to-permanent-housing rate of 16.3% reflects the RRH capacity gap — the core problem HBN is solving.
Who Must Participate
All organizations receiving HUD CoC funding are required to enter data into HMIS within 72 hours of program entry or exit. Cleveland County uses Oklahoma's statewide Clarity Human Services system.
Who participates in our system.
Bridges of Norman
Norman Care-A-Vans
Catholic Charities — Women's Sanctuary
Central Oklahoma Community Health
Food & Shelter Inc.
Hope Community Services
The Mission Norman
The Salvation Army — Norman
Thunderbird Clubhouse
Transition House
Veterans Affairs
Women's Resource Center