{"id":3416,"date":"2026-03-06T19:36:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T19:36:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/?p=3416"},"modified":"2026-04-01T15:13:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T15:13:33","slug":"what-is-homes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/what-is-homes\/","title":{"rendered":"What is HOMES? A Look Inside VA&#8217;s Data Management System"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull va-page-title-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-179 size-large\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/academic-affiliations\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/59\/2025\/05\/Hero2.png?w=1024\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#085795\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-align-left\">Featured Article<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"va-body-wrapper wp-block-create-block-body-wrapper va-body-wrapper wp-block-create-block-body-wrapper\"><div class=\"va-body-wrapper__inner\">\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<form role=\"search\" method=\"get\" action=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/\" class=\"wp-block-search__button-outside wp-block-search__text-button wp-block-search\"    ><label class=\"wp-block-search__label\" for=\"wp-block-search__input-1\" >Search Articles<\/label><div class=\"wp-block-search__inside-wrapper\" ><input class=\"wp-block-search__input\" id=\"wp-block-search__input-1\" placeholder=\"\" value=\"\" type=\"search\" name=\"s\" required \/><button aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"wp-block-search__button wp-element-button\" type=\"submit\" >Search<\/button><\/div><\/form>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide va-intro-page va-intro-page-1 is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is HOMES? A Look Inside VA&#8217;s Data Management System<\/h2>\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #0073aa;\" class=\"wp-block-create-block-colored-spacer has-0073-aa-background-color has-background wp-block-create-block-colored-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>By Kerri Kline, Senior HOMES Operations Specialist, Business Intelligence, VHA Homeless Programs Office<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>March 6, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-c00f5982\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/03\/2026-03-FA-What-is-HOMES.png\" alt=\"A man sitting at a desk typing on a laptop\" class=\"wp-image-3417\" style=\"width:900px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/03\/2026-03-FA-What-is-HOMES.png 1200w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/03\/2026-03-FA-What-is-HOMES.png?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/03\/2026-03-FA-What-is-HOMES.png?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/03\/2026-03-FA-What-is-HOMES.png?resize=1024,683 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide va-intro-page va-intro-page-1 is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p>Like many things in government, HOMES is an acronym. It stands for Homeless Operations Management and Evaluation System.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s fitting that one of VA\u2019s priorities is ensuring Veterans have safe, stable housing, but HOMES is more than just another cute acronym. It\u2019s VA\u2019s primary platform for collecting key information for homeless Veterans as they move through VA\u2019s system of care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-c00f5982\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why is HOMES important?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>HOMES plays a critical role in enhancing communication among VA homeless program staff and leadership across the organization, as it is the primary portal that captures data on hundreds of thousands of Veterans connected to housing services. It offers insight into case management and provides visibility into program outcomes and service delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, HOMES is the primary data system for VA\u2019s national homeless performance measures, including the Homeless Services Scorecard, technical assistance manuals, and data definitions. These resources clarify how data documented in HOMES influences performance metrics at the local and national levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having accurate and timely data isn\u2019t just important\u2014it\u2019s essential to helping Veterans find stable housing and support. HOMES supports this mission by enabling us to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ensure compliance with data management policies and procedures while supporting 139 VAMCs with over 7,000 HOMES users, in accordance with system documentation requirements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintain strict access controls and data security protocols.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conduct data reconciliation processes to identify and resolve discrepancies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Promote data literacy through targeted training and technical assistance for VISN and VAMC staff.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Advocate for the effective use of data during stakeholder engagements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prepare and share accessible, actionable data with partners and stakeholders.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthen VA\u2019s capacity to monitor program effectiveness, including service utilization and outcomes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide real-time data to staff and leadership for informed decision-making.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-1ac3d91d\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How does VA protect Veterans&#8217; data?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>VA is responsible for private health care data day in and day out. That\u2019s because VA is a health care agency with strict Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) oversight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>HIPAA data elements, also known as Protected Health Information (PHI) identifiers, are 18 specific types of data that can uniquely identify an individual. This includes common identifiers like names, addresses, and Social Security numbers, as well as less obvious identifiers, such as medical record numbers, IP addresses, and biometric data like fingerprints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>VA\u2019s data management practices, including those related to HOMES, are governed by strict uses and disclosures outlined in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2018\/02\/12\/2018-02760\/privacy-act-of-1974-system-of-records\" rel=\"noopener\">System of Records Notice<\/a> (SORN), ensuring the confidentiality and security of all Veteran data.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"va-body-wrapper wp-block-create-block-body-wrapper\"><div class=\"va-body-wrapper__inner\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group va-section-title va-section-title-1 is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8cf370e7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contact VA for help<\/h2>\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #005EA2;\" class=\"wp-block-create-block-colored-spacer has-ff-5500-background-color has-background wp-block-create-block-colored-spacer\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, we strongly encourage you to contact the <strong>National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at <a href=\"tel:+18774243838\">877-424-3838<\/a><\/strong> for assistance.<br><br>The call is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained professionals are standing by to connect you to your nearest VA for help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-blue-icon-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.va.gov\/homeless\/nationalcallcenter.asp\" rel=\"noopener\">Chat with a live professional now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.va.gov\/homeless\/nationalcallcenter.asp\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1385\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/08\/NCCHV-Logo-02-Large.png\" alt=\"National Call Center for Homeless Veterans logo. 877-424-3838\" class=\"wp-image-5628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/08\/NCCHV-Logo-02-Large.png 1385w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/08\/NCCHV-Logo-02-Large.png?resize=300,130 300w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/08\/NCCHV-Logo-02-Large.png?resize=768,333 768w, https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/72\/2026\/08\/NCCHV-Logo-02-Large.png?resize=1024,444 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1385px) 100vw, 1385px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>HOMES plays a critical role in enhancing communication among VA homeless program staff and leadership across the organization, as it is the primary portal that captures data on hundreds of thousands of Veterans connected to housing services. It offers insight into case management and provides visibility into program outcomes and service delivery.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":201,"featured_media":3417,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"priority":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[57,56],"class_list":["post-3416","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured-articles","tag-data","tag-homes"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/department.va.gov\/homeless\/what-is-homes\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"What is HOMES? 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