CARES Inc.

Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)

The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is a computerized data collection system used to produce an unduplicated count of persons using homeless services. The system is used by multiple agencies to capture client-level information over time regarding the characteristics and service needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

All recipients of HUD funds are required to participate in the HMIS. This includes recipients of Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds, Supportive Housing Program (SHP), Shelter Plus Care (S+C), Section 8 Mod Rehab for SRO, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). In addition, HUD encourages participation of other federal programs that serve homeless persons. Participation of other organizations that do not receive HUD Continuum of Care funding is voluntary, but strongly encouraged in order to achieve an accurate picture of homeless services in the Capital Region.

CARES serves as the administrator of the Capital Region HMIS, comprised of homeless services providers in Albany, Columbia, Hamilton, Greene, Jefferson, Lewis, Rensselaer, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Schenectady, Washington and Warren counties. In this role, CARES provides user training and help desk assistance, and procures data for on-going analysis.

For more information, please contact
Allyson Thiessen
(518) 489-4130 ext. 103
athiessen@caresny.org