Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)

The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is a computerized, web-based data collection system that tracks the nature and scope of human service needs at an individual agency as well as across Indiana. HMIS is specifically designed to capture uniform client level data over time to understand the characteristics and service needs of men, women, and children. While IHCDA strongly encourage agencies to utilize HMIS, no homeless person is to be refused service regardless of their participation in HMIS.  

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Login to HMIS/ClientTrack: www.ihcdaonline.com  (Due to the 2012 upgrade, you will need to delete the prior ClientTrack URL in your Favorites and replace it with the new URL.)

If you need a Login ID please contact the HMIS Staff. Do not share your login information with other users.

HMIS Trainings - Client Track New User Training, Ask the Help Desk User Group Session, Reports Training and APR webinars are scheduled.  Information about upcoming HMIS trainings. 

HMIS Announcements - Read about our new HMIS Vendor: Client Track. 

HMIS Documents - Visit this page for many important HMIS documents including paper forms, new user & agency paperwork, training documents, and report instructions.

HMIS Staff

Kerrie Kikendall, HMIS Manager, 317-234-6973 HMISHelpDesk@ihcdaonline.com

For New User Accounts please contact mail to: HMISHelpDesk@ihcdaonline.com 

Fax Number: 317-232-7778

Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR)

Every year the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) submits an Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress. This is the most comprehensive annual report on homelessness in the United States. The report provides year-to-year trend information that explores changes in the patterns of homelessness over time.  The report is released every summer.  Click here to view the 2010 AHAR report (released June 2011)

State of Indiana AHAR participation

Indiana Balance of State (all parts of Indiana except for Indianapolis and South Bend) participated in the AHAR for the first time in 2008.  IHCDA is responsible for pulling the data and sending it to HUD, while local HMIS agencies are responsible for the quality of their data.

Data Sources Used in the AHAR

1. Point-in-Time (PIT) counts of both sheltered and unsheltered homeless populations. The PIT counts are based on the number of homeless persons on a single night during the last week in January.
2. Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) are databases that are designed to record and store client-level information on the characteristics and service needs of homeless persons. HMIS data is used to produce counts of the sheltered homeless population over a full year—that is, people who used emergency shelter or transitional housing programs at some time during the course of a year.
3. The Housing Inventory Chart (eHIC) is a spreadsheet that provides a comprehensive listing of all of the Emergency Shelters, Transitional Housing Programs, and Permanent Supportive Housing Programs in the Balance of State (all regions except Indianapolis and South Bend).  This chart only includes programs which beds specifically set aside for homeless persons (or formerly homeless persons in Permanent Housing).  This chart lists the number of beds available for homeless individuals and homeless families and is used in the AHAR report to determine the percentage of shelter beds that participate in HMIS.  

AHAR Report

The 2012 AHAR Report

The AHAR is based on an unduplicated count of persons within each community, and focuses on persons who use emergency shelters, transitional housing programs and/or permanent supportive housing.  The HMIS data portion of the AHAR does not account for homeless persons who only use supportive service programs, or are service resistant and do not access any type of homeless residential program during the study period.

HMIS and AHAR

Preparing For AHAR - Every Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, or Permanent Housing program should read this document.  This document provides an explanation of why AHAR is important, and then gives instructions on how to verify that your data is pulling correctly for the AHAR Report.  Even if you think your data is correct, you may be surprised to find out that the AHAR report looks at your data differently.  This is a must read document for all shelters whether they receive public funding or not. 

Point In Time Count (PIT)

Point In Time (PIT) - On a single night during the last week of every January IHCDA works with the local Continuum of Cares to conduct a count of homeless persons throughout the state.  A shelter count is conducted that counts how many people were staying in Emergency Shelters or Transitional Housing Programs, and a street count is conducted to target homeless persons who may not be staying in shelters.  The purpose of the count is to understand the scope and characteristics of people sleeping in shelters or in places not meant for human habitation.  Click here to access the PIT Training for Coordinators presentation from 10/31/12. 

Housing Inventory Chart (HIC) - The January 2012 copy of the Housing Inventory Chart is available here.  Individual Region Charts will be sent out to each Point In Time Coordinator in late October.  PIT Coordinators should contact every Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing Program in their region to see if any changes have occurred or will occur before January 2013.  If you are unfamiliar with the Housing Inventory Chart please review this PowerPoint Presentation.

For more information about the Point In Time Count please contact Angie Hass ahass@ihcda.in.gov at 317-234-7579.