Homeless integrated data warehouse.

Existing law establishes various programs, including, among others, the Emergency Housing and Assistance Program, to provide assistance to homeless persons. Existing law also establishes the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council to, among other things, create a statewide data system or warehouse that collects local data through homeless management information systems, with the ultimate goal of matching data on homelessness programs to programs impacting homeless recipients of state programs, as specified. This bill would require the Department of Housing and Community Development to create a state homeless integrated data warehouse, in coordination with state and local partners, including the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council, to develop a composite portrayal of the homeless population in the state and the services provided to this population or to those at risk of becoming homeless. The bill would require that the information compiled for the database include the data necessary, if available, to make certain findings, including, among other things, the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness, their access to benefits, and the stated reasons for their homelessness. The bill would require the department to coordinate with other state agencies to draft and carry out a strategy to integrate information to provide longitudinal, cost-based studies with relevant data, as specified. The bill would require the database to comply with all relevant state and federal laws regarding privacy and personally identifying information and would direct participating local agencies to enter into data-sharing agreements and collaborate with the department, as specified. The bill would specify that these provisions would become operative if the Legislature appropriates sufficient funds, including funds from private donations if available, to the department for these purposes.