Improvements to point-in-time count

(a)

In general

Section 427(b)(3) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11386a(b)(3)) is amended—(1)by striking The Secretary and inserting the following:

(A)

Limitation on scope

The Secretary

; and

(2)by adding at the end the following:

(B)

Annual point-in-time count

(i)

Definition

In this subparagraph, the term annual point-in-time count means the annual point-in-time count of homeless individuals required under clause (ii).(ii)

Requirement

(I)

In general

The Secretary shall require each recipient to participate in an annual point-in-time count of homeless individuals during the last 10 days of April of each year beginning after the date of enactment of this subparagraph. (II)

Supplemental counts

Authorization from the Secretary shall not be required in order for a recipient to conduct a supplemental point-in-time count of homeless individuals during a different time of year than the annual count described in subclause (I).(iii)

Use of standardized tools

In conducting the annual point-in-time count, a recipient shall use a community-wide homeless management information system (commonly known as an HMIS) for client-level data collection.(iv)

Technical assistance and support for rural and resource-limited continuums of care

The Secretary shall provide training in HMIS integration to rural or resource-limited recipients for purposes of conducting the annual point-in-time count.(v)

Reporting and compliance

(I)

Continuum of care standardized HMIS reporting requirements

The Secretary shall establish standardized HMIS reporting requirements for recipients conducting the annual point-in-time count with respect to the geographic scope and spatial analysis of unsheltered and sheltered populations.(II)

HUD report

The Secretary shall submit an annual report to Congress on—(aa)compliance by recipients with the data collection, HMIS reporting, and annual point-in-time count requirements under this subparagraph;(bb)technical assistance and guidance provided by the Secretary to recipients to support implementation of the requirements described in item (aa); and(cc)improvements in the consistency, accuracy, and quality of data collected through the annual point-in-time count.(vi)

Rolling HMIS updates and midpoint HMIS data

(I)

HMIS updates

A recipient shall maintain up-to-date HMIS data year-round regarding participation in homelessness assistance projects funded by the Secretary, including entries into and exits from emergency shelters, homeless street outreach programs, transitional housing, and other eligible activities under this subtitle.(II)

Midpoint HMIS data

A recipient shall collect and maintain HMIS data on unsheltered and sheltered homeless populations as of the midway point between each annual point-in-time count (in this subparagraph referred to as midpoint HMIS data).(III)

Purposes

The purposes of the midpoint HMIS data collected under subclause (II) are to—(aa)track seasonal or emerging trends;(bb)inform planning for programs carried out under this subtitle; and(cc)supplement, but not replace, the annual point-in-time count.(vii)

Guidance for rural and resource-limited continuums of care

The Secretary shall provide guidance for rural or resource-limited recipients regarding—(I)standardized data collection methodologies for the annual point-in-time count;(II)implementation and integration of HMIS tools for mapping sheltered and unsheltered populations;(III)midpoint HMIS data collection and spatial mapping requirements under this subparagraph; and(IV)staffing, training, and technology best practices necessary to comply with the requirements of this subparagraph.(viii)

Funding flexibility

The Secretary may—(I)allow a recipient to use assistance received under subtitle B to support the training of employees or volunteers in HMIS integration; and(II)provide guidance on ensuring that the use of assistance under subclause (I) does not disrupt service delivery to homeless shelters.

(b)

GAO study

(1)

Definition

In this subsection, the term Continuum of Care means a recipient, as that term is defined in section 401 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360).(2)

Study

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall—(A)conduct a study of the annual point-in-time count conducted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (in this subsection referred to as the Department), including the methodology used by the Department; and(B)submit to Congress a report that contains—(i)the results of the study conducted under subparagraph (A); and(ii)as appropriate, recommendations on how to modernize the annual point-in-time count in a way that leads to greater accuracy in counting the homeless, including how the Department can—(I)standardize collection methodology across Continuums of Care; and(II)increase consistency, modernization, and efficiency of data collection and reporting processes with respect to the annual point-in-time count within each Continuum of Care.