HMIS Program Manuals

The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program HMIS Manual is intended to support data collection and reporting efforts of Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Lead Agencies and CoC Program recipients. This manual provides information on HMIS program setup and data collection guidance specific to the CoC Program and the legacy programs: Supportive Housing Program (SHP), Shelter Plus Care (S+C), and Single Room Occupancy for the Homeless (SRO) that have not yet renewed under the CoC Program.

The guidance provided in this document aligns with requirements around using HMIS as stated in the CoC Program Interim Rule and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program Interim Rule and refers to the data elements required in an HMIS as established in the 2017 HMIS Data Standards. This document is not intended to replace the HMIS Data Dictionary or the HMIS Data Manual, but to complement them and relate CoC Program-specific requirements.

Continuum of Care (CoC) HMIS Program Manual (PDF)

The Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program HMIS Manual is intended to support data collection and reporting efforts of Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Lead Agencies and ESG recipients and subrecipients. This manual provides information on HMIS program setup and data collection guidance specific to the ESG Program.

The guidance provided in this document aligns with requirements around using HMIS as stated in the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program interim rule and refers to the data elements required in an HMIS as established in the 2018 HMIS Data Standards. This document is not intended to replace the HMIS Data Dictionary or the HMIS Data Manual, but to complement them and relate ESG Program-specific requirements.

Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program HMIS Manual

The Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) Program HMIS Manual is intended to support data collection and reporting efforts of Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Lead Agencies and PATH Program grantees. This manual provides information on HMIS program setup and data collection guidance specific to the PATH Program. This manual only addresses the use of HMIS for the PATH Program.

The guidance provided in this document aligns with requirements around using HMIS as stated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and refers to the data elements required for PATH in an HMIS as established in the 2014 HMIS Data Standards. This document is not intended to replace the HMIS Data Dictionary or the HMIS Data Manual, but to complement them and relate PATH Program-specific requirements.

PATH Program HMIS Manual (PDF)

The Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) HMIS Program Manual is intended to support data collection and reporting efforts of Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Lead Agencies and HOPWA Program grantees. This manual provides information on HMIS program setup and data collection guidance specific to the HOPWA Program.

The guidance provided in this document aligns with requirements around using HMIS as stated by the HOPWA office and refers to the data elements required for HOPWA in an HMIS as established in the 2018 HMIS Data Standards. This document is not intended to replace the HMIS Data Dictionary or the HMIS Data Manual, but to complement them and relate HOPWA-specific requirements. This document is not a replacement for any specific program guidance, requirements, regulations, notices, and training materials on the HOPWA Program. 

HOPWA Program HMIS Manual (PDF)

The Veterans Affairs (VA) Programs HMIS Manual is intended to support data collection and reporting efforts of Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Lead Agencies and VA Program grantees. This manual provides information on HMIS program setup and data collection guidance specific to the VA Programs that use HMIS.

The guidance provided in this document aligns with requirements around using HMIS as stated by the VA and refers to the data elements required for VA grantees in an HMIS as established in the 2018 HMIS Data Standards. This document not intended to replace the HMIS Data Dictionary or the HMIS Data Manual, but to provide additional information about VA-specific HMIS requirements.

VA Programs HMIS Manual (PDF)

The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Data Standards Manual is intended to serve as a reference and provide basic guidance on HMIS data elements for CoCs, HMIS Lead Agencies, HMIS System Administrators and end users. The companion document to the HMIS Data Standards Manual is the HMIS Data Dictionary which defines all of the data elements and requirements for HMIS compliance for HMIS Vendors and System Administrators.

HMIS Data Standards Manual

This Emergency Solutions Grants Program (ESG) HMIS Program Manual explains how to code the ESG CAPER Report within an HMIS, in accordance with the 2014 Data Standards. This report exactly matches the reporting requirements for ESG recipients as defined in A Desk Guide for Using IDIS to Prepare the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan and CAPER. This document provides HMIS vendors the specifications for reporting of HMIS data required for ESG under: Section CR-65 ESG Persons Assisted, Section CR-70 bed nights provided, and providing a Race/Ethnicity table for inclusion in the jurisdictions paper submission as required by HUD.

ESG CAPER Report Manual (PDF)