HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION STRATEGIES

HMIS - Homeless Management Information Strategies - is the first shared data tool in the Planning District for collecting data on the region's homeless population, their needs and the services provided. Since the system is shared among shelters, transitional housing, outreach programs and other CoC agencies and organizations, the coordination of effort been has greatly improved.

Service providers input information on each client into the web-enabled, real time datasbase, providing a comprehensive profile of the homeless person's needs, referrals made, services provided and needs not able to be met. Information about unmet needs is used to determine the need for new facilities and services or to expand existing ones.

The HMIS aolows service providers to make accurate and appropreiate placements and referrals. In summary, HMIS has enhanced communication between service providers. The system allows a service provider to see what other services a client is receiving. Service providers can then ensure their cleints receive comprehensive services without duplicaiton.

HMIS is managed by a department of the George Washington Regional Comission. The Commission, commonly known as GWRC, is the planning district commission for Virginia Planning District 16. The GWRC, along with it's predecessor, RADCO, has served our Planning District for more than 40 years. The principal functions are regional land-use planning, transportation planning and transportation demand-management activities. In addition, GWRC also supports a number of affiliated organizations, including the Rappahannock Economic Development Corporation, Rappahannock River Basin Commission and the Rappahannock Disabilities Services Board.

Planning District 16 has a population of more than 30,000 and is the fastest growing region in the Commonwealth and the fourth most populous in all of Virginia's 21 districts. For more information on GWRC, please visit their website: http://www.gwregion.org/