August 2026 Feature Focus
Released August 10th
Updates Now Live
- Release of Information (ROI) Verification: when a client doesn't have an active ROI on file, the message "Client missing release of information" now displays in the Attendance Service and Reservation workflows.
- System Emails Refresh: all automated Clarity emails (password resets, new user verification, alert notifications) now carry the new Clarity interface branding and updated Bitfocus contact details.
- New Report — Staff Details Report [STFF-107]: lists staff members with agency access, including username, access role, email, phone number, and status — useful for staff administration and access reviews.
- HUD CSV/XML Export Update [HUDX-111]: added Veterans Only, VAMC Filter, and VAMC Station Number(s) parameters, making it easier to isolate veteran-only data for monthly VA Repository and By-Name List reporting.
- Streamlined Enrollment Workflow: Current Living Situation (CLS) assessments are now integrated directly into the enrollment process for all CLS-enabled programs. Users must complete the assessment to finalize enrollment.
Behind the Scenes in Data Analysis (Looker)
- New BHSA Chronically Homeless fields are now available in Looker alongside the existing HUD fields, so California BHSA communities can report chronic homelessness under either standard from the same explore.
Report Spotlight: [HUDX-111] HUD CSV/XML Program Data Export
This month's spotlight: [HUDX-111] HUD CSV/XML Program Data Export — updated this month (see Feature Focus above).
This export packages a community's HMIS data into the CSV/XML format required for Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY), VA initiatives (SSVF, GPD, and the VA By-Name List), and Youth Homeless Demonstration Project (YHDP) reporting. It bundles project, client, and enrollment-level data into a single zipped set of CSV files that gets uploaded to the appropriate federal repository (the RHY-HMIS Repository, the VA HMIS Repository "SQUARES," or Sage HMIS for YHDP).
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Where to run it: Report Library → Administrator Reports and/or HUD and Federal Partner Reports (availability depends on your agency's Report Library configuration and your access role).
- Who can run it: Typically run by managers or staff with HUD/federal reporting access for the relevant agency — not a general end-user report.
- What's new this month: The added Veterans Only, VAMC Filter, and VAMC Station Number(s) parameters make it easier to isolate veteran-only records for VA By-Name List reporting, without needing a separate export.
- Before running it: Consider running the [HUDX-225] HMIS Data Quality Report first to catch and resolve data issues ahead of submission. And once the export downloads, leave the zip file unopened and unmodified before uploading — opening or editing it can cause upload errors.
Upcoming Events
HMIS Essentials: New User Training | September 3rd at
10am – 12pm | Register Here
Required for all new users, this session is offered on the first Thursday of each month and is your starting point for mastering Clarity Human Services. We’ll cover core system navigation ensuring you confidently and securely manage data.
HMIS Next Level: Advanced User Training | September 10th at 10am – 12pm | Register Here
Build upon your foundational knowledge with this monthly advanced session. We move past the basics of Clarity Human Services to explore complex features, time-saving workflows, and best practices for navigating the system with expertise.
HMIS Spotlight: Coordinated Entry Training | September 17th at 10am – 12pm | Register Here
Deepen your system expertise with our specialized monthly workshops. Topics rotate each month to offer a focused look at either Santa Barbara's Coordinated Entry System (CES) workflows or data analytics and reporting through Looker. This month we will be focusing on Coordinated Entry HMIS workflow!
Bitfocus is Hiring
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.
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