Navigating Homelessness Guide

NH GUIDE is a web and mobile app that supports people who have a housing crisis with information and tools to help them to successfully navigate services and resources on their journey to obtain housing.

The NH GUIDE app is designed to assist users in navigating housing crises by helping them organize, store, and share housing-related information to secure affordable, long-term solutions. It enables users to manage and communicate their data directly to multiple service providers simultaneously with consistency and accuracy, while securely handling digital files. For service providers, the app facilitates coordination of efforts and resources to support users in obtaining and maintaining permanent housing. It serves individuals and households in crisis, as well as county agencies within the homelessness response system, including health, housing, and human service providers for homeless and low-income persons—see the current list at acgov.org/cda/hcd/documents/roi_providers.pdf. Data from the app assesses needs, tracks service improvements, and matches resources based on Alameda County HUD Continuum of Care priorities (everyonehome.org), entered when users engage with participating programs. Continued funding is essential to sustain these efforts. Explain data security measures Homelessness prevention strategies Make paragraph more engaging

Information Shared with Service Providers and Agencies in the Homelessness Response System

• Legal First and Last Name
• Other Name/Alias
• Last 4 Digits of Social Security Number
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Race and Ethnicity
• Veteran Status
• Education
• Employment
• Disability Status
• Household Relationships
• Current Living Situation and Housing Status
• Income Amount(s) and Type
• Benefit(s) Information
• Health Insurance Care Coverage and Type
• Housing Vulnerability Assessments
• Support Resources and Services Received by User and Outcomes

Assessments, services needed and provided, and outcomes of those services—along with the names of projects where I received support—are tracked through the NH GUIDE app. Depending on the program, additional data may include income, non-cash benefits, health insurance, physical or developmental disabilities, chronic health conditions, HIV/AIDS status, mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, and sexual orientation. Further information, such as my photo and previously collected NH GUIDE app data, may also be shared as needed.

Under the data privacy and sharing policy, users have the autonomy to decide whether to keep their information private or select specific recipients for sharing. Only participating agencies listed at (acgov.org/cda/hcd/documents/roi_providers.pdf) can view shared data, and each must sign an agreement to ensure the security and confidentiality of client records. Funders, cities, and housing planning groups rely on NH GUIDE app reports—compiled by pooling user data—to understand service recipients, services provided, and outcomes, supporting continued funding and enhancements for homeless and low-income households. Data also aids research, program analysis, service targeting, and system improvements, often with personal identifiable information removed and data aggregated. Users can request copies of their collected and shared information, as well as amend any inaccuracies. Service providers access user details to facilitate service delivery and coordination, while data for reporting is typically anonymized and aggregated.