A Note to Our Unhoused Friends and Neighbors about Our System Change
To our unhoused friends and neighbors in communities across Minnesota:
In the last month, you may have experienced a disruption in services and we want to make sure you know why. The data infrastructure that supports that homeless response system across Minnesota is called HMIS (Homeless Management Information System). This summer we are changing that system to improve our collective ability to serve you quickly and connect you to the resources you need.
However, the system change is taking longer than expected. Here are answers to a few of the questions you may have:
Q: Why do I need have my photo retaken when accessing shelter or services?
A: Not all communities in MN use the community card or photo feature of HMIS, but for those that do, this may apply to you. We were not able to move all the photos we had on file over to the new system. Your assessor, shelter or outreach staff may ask you to take a fresh photo in the coming weeks or months.
Q: Will my community card still work?
A: Yes! The community card you use today will still work in the new system.
Q: Why couldn't I have my community card reprinted at the drop-in center or shelter I visited this month?
A: The system change caused delays in card printing in early August. This was fixed on August 19th.
Q: Why couldn't I be assessed for potential housing opportunities?
A: We are phasing the new system one piece at a time, starting with shelters. Coordinated Entry assessments and referrals for housing took longer than expected to complete. In Hennepin County, we expect assessments to be available again during the last week of August.
Q: Will information or files I shared with my case worker still be available or will I have to start over?
A: Your information moved over to the new system, so files, housing history, and status on prioritization lists will still be there.
We are sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience while we work to build a system that works even better than before.