In a significant push to coordinate a response against the growing homelessness crisis, Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties are setting up a new database to help them track and support their homeless populations more effectively. Taking the lead, Washington County announced their partnership with Bitfocus, a technology firm known for their homeless response technology systems currently operational in areas like Los Angeles and King County.
The joint effort aims to replace an outdated 19-year-old system that can no longer keep up with the scale at which these counties now operate in terms of homeless services. The original system was primarily established for compliance reporting for federal service programs, but as the needs of the communities evolved, the call for more adept and sophisticated data handling became apparent. According to a report from the Multnomah County Auditor, while the accuracy of rehousing data hit 96%, an improved and comprehensive data system was nonetheless critical.
The benefits of the new Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) include better tracking of available shelter beds, streamlined data input for street outreach workers, and a user portal allowing people receiving services to access their own information. This boost in transparency and functionality is coupled with enhanced capabilities for integrated care data and improved analytics, necessary for data-informed decision making. "This new system will allow us to more clearly see the way homelessness crosses county lines and continue to collaborate on regional housing solution," said Molly Rogers, the executive director of the Department of Housing Services for Washington County, as reported by Washington County.
The importance of the HMIS system in reinforcing the region's approach to tackling homelessness cannot be overstated. It fundamentally underpins nearly all local homelessness data, with providers receiving county funding compelled to enter data into the system. "We’re ready to get to work with Bitfocus to create a system that meets the needs of our community and gives us more tools to understand and end homelessness," Anna Plumb, interim director of the Multnomah County Homeless Services Department, conveyed her eagerness to move forward with the upgrade, as noted by Washington County. The new system is also anticipated to directly benefit outreach teams, as Metro Interim Housing Director Liam Frost claimed it would facilitate the provision of timely and appropriate assistance to those living on the streets.
To reach this pivotal point, Multnomah County led a comprehensive procurement process, which involved consulting with staff from over 40 organizations, including government agencies and community providers. The selection of Bitfocus as the new database provider was based on their submission, which stood out to the scoring panel and subject matter experts for its user-friendly interface and robust functionality. The work to refine the region's data approach, enabled by the voter-approved Metro Supportive Housing Services Measure in 2020, presents a critical systemic investment, as Shannon Callahan, Director of Clackamas County’s Housing and Community Development Division, points out: "We look forward to collaborating with our regional partners to strengthen the information systems we all rely on to serve our most vulnerable residents," as mentioned by Washington County.
