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February 2024 Cambridge HMIS Newsletter

In This Edition:

Important Reminder: Recording Client Addresses
Virtual Reality Series on Client-Centered Data Collection
ICYMI: HUD Releases Part 1 of 2023 AHAR
Upcoming Events

Reminder: Recording Client Location

If you are providing stabilization services for a client, their current residence should be listed in the Location tab of the client's profile. If a client changes units within the same housing site, update the unit number in the address field and make a note in the text section that the unit has changed. If they move from one housing site/address to another, toggle the former address to “inactive” and add a new address listing for the client. Further guidance can be found in the Stabilization Workflow for Cambridge HMIS document.

New: Virtual Reality Series on Client-Centered Data Collection

HUD has released a series of guides and interactive virtual reality videos to support service providers who collect sensitive and personal information, including HMIS intake and Coordinated Entry assessments. It is recommended to be experienced as a group session to encourage discussion and sharing.

View on HUD Exchange

HUD Releases Part 1 of 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR)

There are two parts of the Annual Homelessness Assessment Report that are sent to Congress. Part 1 of the AHAR provides Point-in-Time (PIT) estimates, offering a snapshot of both sheltered and unsheltered experiences of homelessness on a single night. The PIT counts also provide an estimate of the number of people experiencing homelessness within particular populations, such as veterans and individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. Multiple HMIS reports contribute to the full AHAR, including the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count, Housing Inventory Count (HIC), Longitudinal Systems Analysis (LSA), and System Performance Measures (SPMs).

Key Findings from Part 1 of the 2023 AHAR

On a single night in 2023, approximately 653,100 people were experiencing literal homelessness, the highest number since reporting began in 2007. Homelessness increased across all household types. This represents a 12% increase from 2022, or approximately 70,650 people.
People who identify as Black, African American, African, or indigenous continue to be overrepresented among the people experiencing homelessness.
Between 2020 and 2022, there was a 30% increase in the number of people entering homelessness for the first time.

These findings do not represent a failure of the homelessness response system but the growing number of challenges we face in addressing this crisis.

Full Reads:

Upcoming Events

March 7: HMIS Beginner Training
March 19: HMIS Working Group Meeting
March 28: HMIS Beginner Training

View information on HMIS beginner trainings here!

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