Council members asked for clarity about HMIS data collection and reporting after noting new metrics and the apparent removal of gender breakdowns in the most recent homelessness report.

HMIS staff said HUD issued new standards effective Oct. 1 that change how gender is reported on official HUD reports; the HMIS team is not currently publishing gender on routine reports while awaiting finalized HUD documentation and Metro Legal guidance. The data remain in HMIS but are not appearing in official outputs to avoid conflict with HUD requirements.

Members urged combining HUD-facing reports with a community-facing data product that preserves demographic detail for local funders and program planning without risking HUD funding. The council asked the HMIS committee to make data-clarification an action item and report back with recommended reporting procedures and custom-reporting access for local stakeholders.

The council also discussed new race/ethnicity reporting changes and additions to program metrics; HMIS staff said they are coordinating with vendors and HUD and will prepare a comprehensive metrics report.