California System Performance Measures (CA SPMs)

The California System Performance Measures (CA SPMs) are a standardized set of metrics that use data from the state's Homeless Data Integration System (HDIS) to help the state and local jurisdictions assess progress towards preventing, reducing, and ending homelessness. The measures include:

Measure 1a: Number of people accessing services who are experiencing homelessness
Measure 1b: Estimated number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the CoC's Point-in-Time Count
Measure 2: Number of people accessing services who are experiencing homelessness for the first time
Measure 3: Number of people exiting homelessness into permanent housing
Measure 4: Average length of time that people accessed services while experiencing homelessness
Measure 5: Percentage of people who return to homelessness within six months of exiting the homelessness response system to permanent housing
Measure 6: Number of people with successful placements from street outreach projects
Measure 7: Measures 1a through 6 disaggregated by race/ethnicity, gender, household type, and other characteristics

CA SPMs are sent to Continuums of Care (CoCs) on a quarterly basis, and are also published on the state's Open Data Portal.

Technical Assistance Materials

The following materials contain more detailed information about the measures and how they are calculated:

California System Performance Measure Guide and Glossary (PDF): This companion guide includes an overview of the CA SPMs, explanations of each data field included in the CA SPM report that is sent to CoCs, a glossary of key terms, and an explanation of methodology improvements from each release.
California System Performance Measure Business Logic Guide: This document explains the business logic associated with the CA SPMs in the greatest level of detail. This document is provided to HMIS Administrators and can be requested by contacting HDIS@bcsh.ca.gov.
California System Performance Measure Data Points Guide (PDF): This short guide provides an overview of key HMIS data elements and data quality considerations relevant to each measure.
Comparison of California and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development System Performance Measures (PDF): This document provides a comparison between the CA SPMs and the SPMs published by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, including key methodological differences.

For information related to the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Grant Program, please see the HHAP program webpage or contact HPDHomelessnessGrants@hcd.ca.gov.

If you have other questions about CA SPMs, please contact HDIS@bcsh.ca.gov.

For more information about how HDIS was built, for the release notes, or to submit an inquiry, check out HDIS Development and Inquiries.

Are you experiencing homelessness and need assistance? Check out Continuum of Care Points of Contact.

HDIS is administered by the California Interagency Council on Homelessness.