The HMIS Data Request Working Group is excited to announce a new Data Request Prioritization tool and framework for prioritizing custom requests made related to data from Chicago’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). The Tool was updated by the HMIS Committee in December 2023. In July 2024, upon completion of the pilot period, the HMIS Committee adopted this framework as the approach to data request prioritization.
You can find a list of the Chicago CoC’s current custom data projects and their priority in the Custom HMIS Data Request Prioritization List linked below:
Custom Requests for Chicago’s HMIS Data Prioritization List
All Chicago is the HMIS lead for the Chicago Continuum of Care (CoC). If you need information from Chicago’s HMIS, begin by checking for that information on the dashboards or reports located in the HMIS section of All Chicago’s website. If the information is not available, an HMIS Data Request may be submitted. All Chicago reviews all data requests in accordance with the Data Request Prioritization tool and framework. Before submitting a data request, please review all documents listed at the end of this article (HMIS Terms of Use, HMIS Data Standards, Custom Data Request Recommendations Framework Chicago CoC, Data Requests Prioritization Tool Chicago CoC, and the CoC Research Agenda). Please read the Chicago CoC Research Agenda to see if this applies to your request. Some requests may be subject to a charge of $150/hr of staff time. All Chicago will review any fees with you before beginning work on your data request.
Please submit data requests by completing this questionnaire. If you have any questions please contact helpdesk@allchicago.org. Requests that are not processed within 6 months will be required to resubmit their request. Additionally, if during the scoping process the request changes substantively, it may be rescored to re-assess prioritization.
The prioritization tool and framework were finalized on September 14, 2023 and has allowed All Chicago to prioritize requests using a transparent and consistent process. The use of the tool and framework was overseen by the HMIS Committee for 9 months to ensure that it was operating as intended. In December 2023, the tool was refined by the HMIS Committee, based on discussion about submitted requests and their scores. In July 2024, the HMIS Committee adopted this framework for ongoing use by the CoC.
At the request of the Executive Committee of the CoC Board, a HMIS Data Request Working Group was created and asked to develop the Data Request Prioritization tool and framework. The working group was facilitated by ICF, Chicago’s HMIS HUD TA provider, and was comprised of members from the System Operations and Performance (SOPC) and HMIS Committees. We greatly appreciate all of the HMIS Data Request Working Group members who volunteered their time and effort.