The Regional Homeless Information Network (RHINo) is a collaboration among eleven counties' Continua of Care in the San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas with a shared vision to obtain a better understanding of the homeless population in the region as a whole. Designed to leverage data already being collected by each continuum's Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), RHINo serves as a regional data warehouse that analyzes trends, gaps in services, and mobility patterns of the homeless population, as well as keeping policy makers and funders informed. Analysis of regional data allows for better planning and resource management and an increased ability to address the present and future needs of the homeless.
Community Technology Alliance's extensive experience in consulting on regional collaborative projects using database-driven technology led the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation to fund the planning phase of the RHINo project and to entrust Community Technology Alliance with leading the collaborative and designing the project.
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, under a sub-contract with Lockheed Martin Corporation, contracted with Community Technology Alliance to implement the project and use the lessons learned as a "Best Practice" model for other communities throughout the country. Three Best Practice white papers have been produced documenting:
- the process of collaboration and planning
- How the project was implemented
- The policies and procedures put into place to ensure success.
The Continuum of Care members listed below are participants in the RHINo data warehouse project:
Alameda County
Contra Costa County
Marin County
Monterey County
Napa County
San Francisco County
San Mateo County
Santa Clara County
Santa Cruz County
Solano County
Sonoma County
Planning Phase: July 2004 - July 2005
Implementation Phase: January 2006 - December 2008
Reporting Phase: January 2009 – present
For more information about Data Warehousing Services, click HERE