The Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition for the Homeless collects individual, program and community-level data through the HUD-required data system called the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). All programs funded through TJACH are required to enter timely, accurate and complete data on individuals served and program outcomes in HMIS regardless of the funding source. This data is reviewed regularly to determine community impact and is communicated to funders and stakeholders on a regular basis.
Click here for the updated homelessness resources Street Sheet.
Overall homeless population changes 2015
HUD requires annual reports on regional homelessness and program effectiveness including the annual Point in Time Count, the Housing Inventory Chart and the Annual Homelessness Assessment Report.
The Point in Time Report reflects the number of individuals and families identified during one 24 hour period, usually in late January. TJACH coordinates the Point in Time Count, recruiting volunteers, developing survey materials and collating data. Volunteers administer surveys at area soup kitchens, day shelters, at campsites and on the street to determine the number of unsheltered homeless in our community. In addition, data is collected from area emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid re-housing, and permanent supportive housing programs on that same data to determine the number of sheltered homeless. Together, these reports provide a snapshot of homelessness in the Thomas Jefferson Planning District including information on employment status, previous address, family characteristics, veteran status, and basic demographic information, in addition to data on the extent to which households struggle with serious mental illness, chronic substance abuse, domestic violence or HIV/AIDS diagnoses.
HUD has recently identified significant changes to its expectations for data collection among homeless providers and coalitions. Click here for guidance on these changes:
https://www.onecpd.info/resources/documents/System-Performance-Measures-Introductory-Guide.pdf
The TJACH Governance Board has established a Data and Evaluation Committee to assess local data collection practices, issue data collection standards and review community-level data. A community-level dashboard is currently in development. Results of that process and data reviewed will be posted here when that work has been completed.