Quarterly Data Quality and Federal Data

The 2021 Federal Fiscal Year (10/1/2020 to 9/30/2021) just ended recently. Now, several federal projects will be ramping up to make sure the U.S. Congress gets an accurate report on the state of homelessness across the country. The completeness, timeliness, and consistency and accuracy of your agency’s data can affect whether people experiencing homelessness in Minnesota are seen.

Prior to 2020, ICA requested data quality clean ups from agencies when federal projects arose. Now there is the Quarterly Data Quality (QDQ) process that helps keep the data in HMIS up-to-date and accurate.

While QDQ does not tie directly to federal funding, the data that is in HMIS does get compiled and reported to the United States Congress. The Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) is a HUD report to the U.S. Congress that provides nationwide estimates of homelessness, including information about the demographic characteristics of homeless persons, service use patterns, and the capacity to house homeless persons. You can learn more about the AHAR at the HUD exchange by clicking here.

 There are some data elements that, if not accurately entered in HMIS, might alter what the state of homelessness looks like. For example, poor data quality for gender, race, or ethnicity could make the data in the report look different from what is happening. This could, in turn, change the understanding of how different demographic groups are affected by homelessness.

Similarly, some data that is entered incorrectly, like Relationship to Head of Household and Client Location, could block an individual or family from even being in the report. Essentially, those people, the demographics they represent, would not even be seen.

Data quality may not feel like the reason someone is working to end homelessness. However, high data quality can play an important role in where resources are allocated to help end homelessness.

Upcoming Quarterly Data Quality Submission Deadline

On October 15, 2021, the QDQ Submission Portal opened. Submissions are accepted through November 12, 2021. To access the portal, click here. To learn more about QDQ and how your agency can participate, click here.

 We look forward to a high level of participation in QDQ and the high data quality that goes with it. Thank you for all you do for the individuals and families you work with.