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Assembly Bill (AB) 977: Homeless Program Data Reporting

Homeless Program Data Reporting for Cal ICH Grantees:

Pursuant to Assembly Bill 977 (AB 977), the State of California requires grantees of specified state funded homelessness programs to enter specific data elements related to individuals and families into their local Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).

As of March 1, 2021, Cal ICH began requiring grantees who are Continuums of Care (CoCs), cities, and counties to collect both the Universal Data Elements (UDEs, items 3.01-3.917) and the Common Data Elements (CDEs, items 4.02-4.20 and W5). The data elements required by AB 977 are the same UDEs and CDEs already required for Cal ICH programs and do not create a new reporting requirement. Cal ICH’s grantees who are California Federally Recognized Tribes are not required to comply with AB 977 at this time.

The additional and improved data made available by these reporting standards will create a more accurate account of the individuals served by the homelessness response system. These improvements will result in a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of state funded homelessness programs and allow for better informed policy decisions.

Technical Assistance Resources for Cal ICH Grantees:

HMIS Project Setup Instructions for Cal ICH Grantees (Updated May 2024) - This document provides updated information on funding codes and grant identifiers for grantees of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Program, Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) Program, and Family Homelessness Challenge (FHC) Grant to support statewide AB 977 implementation and replaces prior funding code guidance released by Cal ICH. The document includes updated other funding code and grant identifiers to enter into HMIS on Page 7. The document has been updated to include information on the new FY 2024 HUD HMIS Data Standards.

In accordance with Cal ICH AB 977 guidance, Cal ICH is not requiring Tribal grantees to enter data into HMIS at this time because Tribes are considered sovereign entities and do not have their own local HMIS. However, technical assistance is available to those Tribal grantees that want to enter data into HMIS.

HMIS Project Setup Instructions for Cal ICH Grantees - Abbreviated Overview (Updated May 2024) - This document provides a high level overview of information on funding codes and grant identifiers to support statewide AB 977 implementation and is meant to act as a quick reference guide to the full length HMIS Project Setup Instructions above.

HMIS Project Setup Instructions for HMIS Leads (Updated May 2024) - This document provides a comprehensive list of funding codes and grant identifiers for the grantees of identified state programs.

AB 977 Frequently Asked Questions for Grantees (Updated August 2024) - This document provides responses to frequently asked questions and is intended for grantees, subgrantees, HMIS Leads and other entities involved in the process of project setup and data entry into HMIS as identified in AB 977. This document is provided in addition to the project setup instructions referenced above.

Recorded Trainings:

HMIS 101: Demystifying HMIS: This training hosted by Abt Global (Formerly Abt Associates) introduces grantees of California state-funded homelessness programs to Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), a local information technology system used to collect client-level data and data on the provision of housing and services to homeless individuals and families and persons at risk of homelessness. The training discussed the purpose of HMIS, what programs are required to use HMIS, and an overview of the data elements collected in HMIS.

AB 977 Training for Cal ICH Grantees: This training hosted by Abt Global for Cal ICH program grantees covers the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) data entry requirements under California’s Assembly Bill 977 (AB 977). The training provided an overview of AB 977, HMIS project setup instructions, and a discussion of the data elements required to be collected in HMIS.

Trauma-Informed and Equitable Data Collection: This webinar presented by Abt Global introduces grantees of California state-funded homelessness programs to concepts related to trauma and its presentation, defines trauma-informed and equitable approaches, and applies this perspective to inform best practices in data collection for Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS). Download the slides for this webinar.

HMIS Data Quality: Best Practices: This webinar presented by Abt Global provides grantees of California state-funded homelessness programs with an overview of Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) data quality, the four components of HMIS data quality, and how to ensure that data entered into HMIS is high quality and reliable.

What State Programs are Required to Comply?

AB 977 requires data entry into HMIS from two sets of programs: (1) ten programs specified by name in the statute; and (2) any state-funded homelessness program that commenced on or after July 1, 2021. Below is a list of all programs currently required to comply with AB 977.

Programs Specified in Statute:

  • The Department of Housing and Community Development
    • Homekey
    • California The Housing for a Healthy California Program
    • The No Place Like Home Program
    • The Multifamily Housing Program
    • The Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention Act of 2014
  • California Department of Social Services
    • The Bringing Families Home Program
    • The CalWORKS Housing Support Program
    • The Housing and Disability Income Advocacy Program
  • California Community Colleges Chancellors Office
    • The Community Colleges Homeless and Housing Insecure Pilot Program
  • California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH)
    • The Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program

State-funded Homelessness Programs that Commenced on or after July 1, 2021:

  • California Department of Veterans Affairs
    • Veterans Support to Self-Reliance Pilot Program
  • California Department of Health Care Services
    • Behavioral Health Bridge Housing
  • California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH)
    • Encampment Resolution Funding Program
    • Family Homelessness Challenge Grants

In accordance with Cal ICH guidance, the California Department of Social Services, the Department of Housing and Community Development, the California Department of Health Care Services, and Cal ICH are not requiring tribal grantees to comply with AB 977 at this time.

Grantees of state programs listed here can reach out to Cal ICH’s technical assistance provider Abt Global (Formerly Abt Associates) at AB977_TA@abtglobal.com with any questions or technical assistance requests, including to receive program-specific project set-up instructions.

Cal ICH’s Role in the Provision of Technical Assistance Under AB 977

AB 977 requires Cal ICH, to provide technical assistance and guidance to grantees or entities operating one of the specified homelessness programs within AB 977, that does not already collect and enter the required data elements into HMIS. Technical assistance and training are available to ensure that grantees have all the resources needed to be able to comply with AB 977.

Cal ICH has contracted with Abt Global (Formerly Abt Associates) to provide technical assistance to all state programs specified in AB 977 and their grantees.

Cal ICH in consultation with respective administering state agencies or departments, is required to specify the entry format and disclosure frequency of the required data elements. State agencies and departments expressly named in statute, in partnership with Cal ICH and Abt Global, have issued instructions to their grantees to support data entry. Grantees operating programs of the above state homelessness programs may access the HMIS Project Setup Instructions issued by their respective department here:

Grantees of the specified programs identified in AB 977 are encouraged to reach out to technical assistance provider Abt Global (AB977_TA@abtglobal.com) with any questions related to AB 977 or the technical assistance requirements outlined above.

Technical Assistance for New State Funded Homelessness Programs

A state homelessness program is defined as a program that is “funded, in whole or in part, by the state with the express purpose of addressing or preventing homelessness or providing services to people experiencing homelessness.” The following document provides additional information for departments and agencies administering homelessness programs:

AB 977 Overview for New Programs: This document provides information departments and agencies can use to determine which of their program grantees must comply with AB 977.

Cal ICH has conducted initial outreach to all Council member departments and agencies to offer technical assistance to departments and agencies administering new state funded homelessness programs and their grantees. For general questions about AB 977 and/or to initiate a technical assistance plan for your state department or agency, please email HDIS@bcsh.ca.gov.