Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is a critical tool used by homeless and housing service providers to collect, manage, and analyze data related to housing assistance. HMIS supports efforts to end homelessness by ensuring coordinated, data-informed services for individuals and households who are already experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their housing.
In accordance with RCW 43.185C.180, the Housing Division’s Data and Performance Unit (DPU) operates the Washington Homeless Management Information System to support service coordination and policy development statewide. To support this work, DPU maintains a centralized, statewide data warehouse that enables the secure exchange of HMIS data from all six Continuums of Care (CoCs) in Washington, including those that operate their own locally managed HMIS solutions. Please see Explanation of WA HMIS for more information.
DPU maintains this system in compliance with Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech) standards, which classify HMIS data as Category 4—the highest level of data sensitivity. As such, HMIS operations are governed by rigorous standards for security, confidentiality, and data integrity to ensure client information is protected and responsibly managed.
Explore this site to learn more about our HMIS policies, training resources, data dashboards, and how to get involved.
Resources
Need assistance with HMIS? Submit your request through the DPU Help Desk. Our team will review your ticket and respond as soon as possible.
DPU Technical Assistance Staff are unavailable on official state holidays.
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Thank you for helping us make HMIS better for everyone.
This section includes official HMIS forms, policies, and templates required for participation in the Balance of State HMIS. You’ll find agency agreements, informed consent documents, data sharing forms, privacy notices, and other key materials. Select the link below to access the full collection.
HMIS trainings are for staff working for agencies already set up with HMIS access through DPU. DPU administers HMIS for the Balance of State in Washington State. To see which agencies use HMIS through DPU and which projects they have in HMIS, visit our Agency Look Up Dashboard.
If your agency is within the Washington Balance of State and interested in using HMIS, please submit your request through the DPU Help Desk and select “My agency is interested in using HMIS.”
Agencies currently participating in HMIS through DPU must ensure all new staff complete the required training and approval process before accessing the system. HMIS Agency Leads are responsible for submitting new user HMIS Training applications. Please review our HMIS Training & Approval instructions for more information.
Training is coordinated through DPU and includes:
- Bitfocus – New User training (available only through DPU’s process). Note: Do not contact Bitfocus directly.
- DPU – New User Orientation, topic-specific trainings, and open office hours: HMIS Calendar (PDF)
- Have HMIS Training questions? HMIS Training & Approval process or submit a DPU Help Desk Ticket → Select: “Training questions, status or request”
Looking for helpful HMIS guides, tools, and reference materials? Click the link below to access a shared folder with commonly used forms and resources to support your HMIS work, including user manuals, data entry instructions, and system tips.
High-quality HMIS data is essential! Reliable, complete, and accurate data strengthens program evaluation, supports effective decision-making, and ensures meaningful reporting at the local, state, and federal levels.
The links below provide resources related to HMIS Data Quality, including the HMIS Data Quality Plan.
Stay up to date with the latest HUD HMIS data standards and program guidance. These resources support HMIS Lead Agencies and Continuums of Care (CoCs) in setting up and managing projects accurately in HMIS.
- Data Quality Report Resources Info Sheet (PDF)
- Clarity Management Reports Details/Crosswalk (PDF)
- Clarity Annual Performance Report (APR) Instructions
- Our web-based public portal provides one-stop information on homelessness assistance, spending, and performance via Tableau dashboard and informational graphics.