HUD retires the Gender field from national homelessness data (FY2026 HMIS Data Standards)
- Date
- Actor
- Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Type
- Data/communications
Summary
HUD's FY2026 HMIS Data Standards, effective October 1, 2025 for all Homeless Management Information Systems nationwide, retired the "Gender" data element (which had included transgender and non-binary response options) and replaced it with a binary "Sex" field (Male/Female plus don't know/refused/not collected). Communities may keep collecting gender locally, but transgender status is no longer captured in required federal homelessness data — eliminating the evidence base for measuring trans homelessness and shelter access. (See also section 12.)
Status
In effect since October 1, 2025.
As recorded in the data of . Check the sources for anything newer.
Sources
- files.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/HMIS-Data-Dictionary.pdf(opens another site)PDF, external
- help.bitfocus.com/2026-data-standards-updates(opens another site)
- letsendhomelessness.org/fiscal-year-fy-2026-hmis-data-standards-what-changed(opens another site)
Cite this action
U.S. Dep't of Hous. & Urb. Dev., FY 2026 HMIS Data Dictionary (Oct. 2025), https://files.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/HMIS-Data-Dictionary.pdf.
Short form: U.S. Dep't of Hous. & Urb. Dev., FY 2026 HMIS Data Dictionary (Oct. 2025), https://files.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/HMIS-Data-Dictionary.pdf.