Starting October 1st, 2025, the 2026 HUD HMIS Data Standards will be available in HMIS. Released by HUD and its federal partners, these standards include new data elements, retired fields, and updated picklists. This article provides an overview of the updates introduced in the 2026 HMIS Data Standards and explains their implications for staff and programs using HMIS. The goal is to help users understand what’s changing, why these changes are happening, and how they may affect day-to-day data entry and reporting.
Understanding the 2026 Updates
The 2026 updates include several changes to how information is collected in HMIS. Some data elements have been removed, others have been updated, and a few new ones have been added. These changes are part of HUD’s effort to keep HMIS aligned with current policies and improve how data supports services and reporting. This section will go through what’s being removed, what’s being revised, and what’s new, so you know what to expect when entering or reviewing data starting October 1st.
Table of Contents
- Retired Data Elements and Funding Sources
- Updated Data Elements
- New Data Elements
- Webinar Recording + Slides
Retired Data Elements and Funding Sources
As part of the update, HUD has retired several data elements and funding sources to streamline data collection and ensure alignment with federal guidance.
Gender 3.06 & Sexual Orientation R3
The Gender (3.06) and Sexual Orientation (R3) data elements will be fully removed from HMIS starting October 1st, 2025. This means users will no longer be able to view or report on these fields in the system. They will also be excluded from helpdesk documentation, dashboards, and CoC system reports. This change ensures that our HMIS remains in full compliance with the 2026 Data Standards and aligns with recent Federal Executive Orders related to data collection.
Translation Assistance Needed (C4)
HUD has announced the retirement of the Translation Assistance Needed data element from the Data Standards. This question will no longer appear on assessments starting October 1st, 2025.
Retired Funding Sources
- HUD: HOPWA-CV
- HUD: ESG-CV
Updated Data Elements
Some data elements already in HMIS are being revised to improve clarity and ensure they match current program requirements. These updates may include changes to wording, picklist options, or when a question is required based on funding source or project type. While they may look familiar, it’s important to understand how they’ve changed so that data entry remains accurate and consistent.
Race and Ethnicity 3.04
The wording for one of the picklist options has been slightly revised. The previous option labeled “Hispanic/Latina/e/o” has been updated to “Hispanic/Latina/o.” This change will automatically apply to all clients who previously had this label selected. No action will be required, as HMIS will automatically update these records on October 1st, 2025.
“Hispanic/Latina/e/o” → “Hispanic/Latina/o”
Prior to October 1st, 2025 (2024 Standard)
October 1st, 2025, going forward (2026 Standard)
Housing Move-In Date 3.20
The Housing Move-In Date data element, starting October 1st, 2025, will become a required question for projects receiving VA: Grant Per Diem – Case Management/Housing Retention funding. If your program is funded through this source, you’ll need to make sure this field is completed for clients enrolled.
Now required for: VA: Grant Per Diem – Case Management/Housing Retention
Date of Engagement 4.13
The Date of Engagement data element will now be required for all projects funded through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP). If your program receives YHDP funding, this field must be completed during data entry starting October 1st, 2025.
Now required for: Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP)
RHY Common Questions (R4, R6, R7) - HUD VASH
Three RHY (Runaway and Homeless Youth) questions have updated guidance specifically for HUD-VASH Collaborative Case Management funding:
- R4 – Last Grade Completed
- R6 – Employment Status
- R7 – General Health Status
Now required for: HUD-VASH Collaborative Case Management
Family Critical Issues R13
The Family Critical Issues data element is getting a small but important update. Starting October 1, 2025, HMIS users will see new response options added to each of the questions in this section. These new options are:
- Client doesn’t know
- Client prefers not to answer
- Data not collected
These additions apply to the following questions about family members:
- Unemployment
- Mental Health Disorder
- Physical Disability
- Alcohol or Substance Use Disorder
- Insufficient Income to Support Youth
- Incarcerated Parent of Youth
Services Provided V2 - SSVF
For projects funded by Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), a new service option has been added to the Services Provided data element. Starting October 1, 2025, users will see a new picklist value:
- Healthcare Navigation
HP Targeting Criteria V7 - SSVF
Two questions within the Homelessness Prevention (HP) Targeting Criteria section have updated wording. These changes are designed to make the questions clearer and more inclusive:
-
Old wording: “Household size of 5 or more requiring at least 3 bedrooms (due to age/gender mix)”
New wording: “Household size of 5 or more requiring at least 3 bedrooms (due to household composition)” -
Old wording: “Household includes one or more members of an overrepresented population in the homelessness system when compared to the general population”
New wording: “Households which may include one or more members meeting other criteria for targeting prevention determined by the CoC”
New Data Elements
As part of the 2026 updates, HUD has introduced several new data elements that were not previously part of HMIS. Some apply to all projects, while others are specific to certain funding sources or program types. Understanding what each new question is asking and when it’s required will help ensure your data entry remains accurate, consistent, and compliant.
Sex 4.21
Starting October 1, 2025, a new data element called Sex will be added to HMIS. This field is now required for all project types and will be collected at record creation, meaning it appears in the Client Profile, not in assessments. While Gender was previously used in federal reporting, Sex is a separate data point with its own definition and purpose. The response options are: Only one option can be selected
- Female
- Male
- Client doesn’t know
- Client prefers not to answer
- Data not collected
HUD defines Sex as a person’s biological classification (Male or Female), based on federal executive guidance. In contrast, Gender refers to how someone identifies. Because these are distinct concepts, Sex cannot be inferred from Gender, and the two should not be treated as interchangeable.
Funding Sources Required
Financial Assistance Start Date V3 - SSVF
For projects funded by Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), a new date field has been added to the Financial Assistance section. This field is called Start Date of Financial Assistance, and it helps clarify when financial support is expected to begin. This field will only appear when a value is selected for SSVF Financial Assistance Type. Once that’s done, the system will prompt you to enter the Start Date of Financial Assistance.
Mental Health Consultation Status V10 - SSVF & GPD
A new data element called Mental Health Consultation Status has been added for projects funded by SSVF and VA Grant Per Diem – Case Management/Housing Retention. This question helps track whether a mental health consultation has been completed or is in progress for veterans entering these programs.
Required for:
- SSVF Rapid Re-Housing (RRH)
- SSVF Homelessness Prevention (HP)
- VA Grant Per Diem – Case Management/Housing Retention
Response Options:
- Mental health consultation completed
- Mental health consultation being coordinated/arranged with VA provider
- Mental health consultation being coordinated/arranged with other provider
- Offer declined
Webinar Recording
9/25/2025
10/6/2025