HMIS Newsletter: December 2025


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As 2025 draws to a close, we would like to extend a sincere thank you for your incredible work, collaboration, and dedication throughout the past year. Your efforts are deeply appreciated, and we are excited about our shared future in 2026. 
 

Wishing you and yours peace, love, joy this holiday season, and a New Year filled with happiness. 

 

Bitfocus Holiday Closure Notice 

Please note our office will be closed for the Holiday Week: 

  • Closure Dates: Thursday, December 25, 2025, through Thursday, January 1, 2026. 
  • Full Staff & Support Resume: Friday, January 2, 2026. 
  • Help Desk Availability: Our Help Desk will remain operational but on a limited capacity during the closure week, except for the Federal Holidays (12/25/25 and 1/1/26). 
  • Need Assistance? If any urgent questions or issues arise during this time, please email the Help Desk at support@bitfocus.com. They will respond as quickly as possible.

Announcements

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Privacy and Security Roll Out: We couldn't have done it without you! 

 

We want to extend a sincere thank you to all three Nevada Continuums of Care for their partnership and commitment during our recent privacy and security rollout. This was a significant initiative with many moving pieces, and its success is a direct result of your collaboration, patience, and dedication.

 

Together, we implemented several important updates designed to strengthen data protection and system integrity, including two-factor authentication (2FA), a new three-year ROI time frame, and an updated user agreement. Each of these changes required thoughtful coordination, clear communication, and extra effort from agencies and staff across the state.

 

We recognize that this was a big lift, and we truly appreciate the time and care taken by CoC leadership, agency data leads, and end users to ensure a smooth transition. Your engagement helps protect client data, supports compliance, and reinforces our shared responsibility to safeguard the information entrusted to us.

 

Thank you for your continued partnership and for helping make Nevada’s HMIS stronger, more secure, and more resilient.

 

It is the expectation that when you encounter a client who has an old ROI in the system, you end that ROI and complete a new ROI. Below you will find a video on how to do that! 

 

 

If you are locked out of your account and still need to take Privacy and Security, you can find it here!

Once complete, have your Agency Data Lead forward your email of completion to nevada@bitfocus.com and request reinstatement. 


Published: 2026 Data Standards Manual

Data Standards Manual

HUD has officially released the manual for Fiscal Year 2026 HMIS Data Standards. While Clarity HMIS is already compliant with the current Administration’s Executive Orders and these new data standards, this shared documentation details the specific changes, mapping guidance, and configuration requirements. 2026 HMIS Data Standards went into effect on October 1, 2025.  
 
What This Means for Clarity HMIS Users: Because Clarity HMIS is currently up-to-date and is already compliant, no immediate action is required by end-users to maintain compliance. You can continue with your normal data entry processes. We do, however, encourage all lead CoC and agency staff to review this documentation to understand the changes and collection requirements. 

 

The following HUD resources have been updated: 


Federal Reporting is Underway!

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Federal Reporting – LSA Updates 

The final submission for the LSA is due on Thursday, January 16th, 2026. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the data quality improvements during the cleanup process. Your efforts and partnership are greatly appreciated as we approach the finish line! If you have any questions or need assistance during the clean-up process, please do not hesitate to reach out!  

 

PIT Reminder  

As you know, we’re also preparing for the Point-in-Time (PIT) Count of people experiencing homelessness. This critical count serves as the primary source of nationwide data on homelessness, informing funding and strategic planning for years to come. 

The PIT Count comprises two essential components: an unsheltered count (individuals sleeping on the streets or in places not meant for human habitation) conducted by volunteers and outreach teams, and a sheltered count (individuals staying in housing programs setup in HMIS). 

For the sheltered count, data accuracy within the HMIS is important. It is critical that all housing projects ensure accurate enrollments, exits, and housing services are logged for the designated night of the count. 

How You Can Ensure Data Integrity: As we approach the official count night, we urge all project staff to review and update their HMIS data immediately. Please ensure the following data points are accurate for all clients served by your projects on the count date: 

  • Demographics: Complete and up-to-date client profile data.  
  • Enrollment and Exit Dates: Accurate program enrollment and exit records. 
  • Move-In Dates: Recorded household move-in dates for permanent housing projects. 
  • Service Logs: Precise housing bed night services, especially for night-by-night shelters. 

Tip: We highly recommend utilizing the [GNRL-220] Program Details Report. This report is an invaluable tool for reviewing a spreadsheet containing all relevant profile, enrollment, exit, and housing service data in one place. 

 

Thank you for your diligence and commitment to data quality, which ensures the success and accuracy of our annual PIT Count. 

 

If you may have forgotten to send in your LSA workbook, it's not too late! Email them to nevada-admin@bitfocus.com


Point-in-Time Count: A Statewide Effort

January 29, 2026

 

Background: Each January, communities across Nevada (the country) come together for the Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. A one night snapshot of people experiencing homelessness across the state. This year’s count will take place on January 29, 2026, with participation from all three Nevada Continuums of Care. The PIT Count includes people staying in shelters or transitional housing, as well as those living outside or in places not meant for habitation. Along with counting individuals and families, the PIT helps gather important information about veterans, youth, families with children, and people experiencing chronic homelessness.

 

Why does it matter? PIT data helps shape local and statewide planning, supports federal funding, and gives communities a clearer picture of where needs are greatest. It’s one of the key tools used each year to understand how homelessness is changing and where resources can make the biggest impact.

 

The PIT Count is a true team effort, made possible by outreach workers, service providers, volunteers, and data partners across Nevada. Together, we help ensure that people experiencing homelessness are seen, counted, and included in the decisions that impact them. 

 

Volunteer Information

  • Southern Nevada volunteer information can be found here.
  • Keep your eyes peeled for information on Northern and Rural Nevada! 
  • If you are reading this, set a reminder to email sarahe@bitfocus.com on January 6th with the words, "Gilmore Girls," and the first 3 to email on the 6th will get a prize.

Annual Homeless Memorial Candle Light Vigil

Bitfocus staff attended the 32nd Annual Homeless Memorial Candle Light Vigil. 234 names of unhoused individuals who passed while living on the streets were read while community partners lit candles to honor each person lost. This year’s number was slightly lower than last year’s number of 345. However, there is still a lot of work to be done. 86 of those who passed were 55 years of age or older. The youngest person lost was 20, and the oldest was 78.

Training Survey! 

 

  • Tell us what you want YOUR training to look like by taking this VERY quick survey!
  • We will be training on the new User Interface in March, but in the meantime, please use the awesome resources linked here!

Upcoming Events

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Statewide HMIS Office Hours | January 8, 2026, 12:00 - 1:00 pm Join here

 

Statewide HMIS Training | January 22, 2026, 1:00 - 2:00 pm Join here

*We will be discussing HIC/PIT and HMIS! 


Bitfocus is Hiring

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Join our Team!

  • Visit bitfocus.com | Jobs | About | Bitfocus  
  • Work with us at Bitfocus! Join a team committed to innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact in human services.  

Questions?

Your HMIS Administrators are happy to help.

Email: nevada-admin@bitfocus.com