The Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) Initiative has taken a lead role in establishing a community-driven national information system for shelter service providers. The system helps facilities with operational and planning activities while also serving as a source of comparable data on the characteristics of the homeless population across Canada. This contributes to the National Homelessness Initiative's objective of increasing the understanding of homelessness in Canada and serves all stakeholders across Canada, including service providers, researchers and multiple levels of government.

HIFIS is a user-friendly electronic records management system built for, and in consultation with, community stakeholders. It is provided free of charge as a means to collect information about the population using shelters while assisting in daily operations such as booking-in and out clients, and reporting on shelter use.