HUD requires all Continuum of Care (CoC) Program and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program recipients to collect data on projects and the clients served by those projects in a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) or comparable database for those agencies that are prohibited from entering data in an HMIS. This checklist provides an example of how agencies required to implement a comparable database can demonstrate due diligence:

1. 1. Complete the checklist.
      

      HMIS Checklist (Click to expand)
      
      
   2. Identify deficiencies and developing an action plan or quality improvement strategy.
   3. Communicate with the comparable database software vendors or negotiate enhanced contractual terms and conditions.

These criteria are not solely used to measure compliance, but rather to ensure that the vendor provides software that meets the minimum privacy standards and data collection/reporting requirements in addition to meeting the needs of the community. This checklist can also be used as a strategic planning resource for how a comparable database can be used as a tool to prevent and end homelessness in the community. Working with your HMIS Lead on the selection of a comparable database can help provide insight on the data management and reporting needs necessary to meet minimum standards.

If you are a program wanting to use Vela as a HUD comparable database, we are happy to connect with your local CoC lead for approval. Please fill out the form below –