HMIS6

RIVERSIDE COUNTY 14

SUMMARY A Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is the technology platform used by a local Continuum of Care (CoC) to collect, analyze and share service and housing data about individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The federal government uses HMIS data to target program funding and benchmark local progress toward the national goal of ending homelessness. Civic, faith-based and nonprofit partners in Riverside County’s Continuum of Care rely on HMIS data to determine the provi- sion of services and plan for future needs and advocate for funding for solutions. The CoC is a network of private and public sector organizations and providers that work closely to improve coordination and integration of services for those who are experiencing or are at-risk of becoming homeless. Three years ago, Riverside County and the Continuum of Care collaborated with UC Riverside Computer Science and Engineering Department to establish the Riverside County Health Informatics led by Dr. Paea LePendu. The project began as an effort to enhance data collec- tion for the annual Point in Time count. The partnership improved the quality of data and reporting on homelessness and this five-year summary of HMIS data is an outgrowth of that information and ongoing partnership. In spring of 2020, the Department of Public Social Services transferred responsibility of the CoC and the HMIS to the new county department of Housing, Homeless Prevention and Workforce Solutions: a one-stop shop for the homeless and those experiencing housing insecurity. DPSS continues as a committed partner in the CoC and as a strong safety net for families and adults. Our hope is that the five years of data reflected in this report will keep a sharp focus on the plight of thousands of Riverside County residents who are aging into poverty. We are grateful to all who continue to help meet the needs and strengthen services and supports for this vulnerable population. Thank you to our partners and stakeholders in the Riverside County Continuum of Care, RUHS Behavioral Health, Office on Aging, who continue to help stabilize individuals and families. Our special appreciation goes to Professor Le Pendu and the Riverside County Health Informatics Team at UCR, especially to recent graduate Ulyana Tkachenko, who served as lead in developing the HMIS Aging Homeless Dashboard outlined in this report. We look forward to the next decade of service to our senior population as we find solutions to the growing challenges of poverty and homelessness in our vulnerable aging. Partnerships Strengthen Data Sharing and Solutions