For years, teams have carried the weight of reconciling spreadsheets, matching individuals by hand, and racing to clean up unsheltered data before HUD deadlines. It’s one of the toughest reporting periods of the year, made harder by the fact that historically, the process relies on disconnected systems.
Communities now have a new way to manage unsheltered PIT data inside Clarity Human Services. With the new ArcGIS Survey123 integration, teams can import unsheltered PIT data directly into Clarity, bringing two previously separate data sources into one place for the first time.
Importing Survey123 data into Clarity creates a unified, HMIS-based PIT workflow from import to HUD reporting. Survey locations appear on the Outreach map, encampments can be created from survey clusters, and a complete HUD-compliant PIT report is generated inside the system communities already trust. This delivers better accuracy, a clearer picture of the unsheltered population, and far less manual effort for everyone involved.
Requirements: This workflow requires Survey123 for data collection and DIT enabled.
From Disconnected PIT Data to One Clear Process
With Survey123’s integration now in place, the PIT workflow gains a single coordinated workspace. Instead of treating unsheltered and sheltered PIT data as separate streams, communities can manage the entire process inside Clarity.
The import interface guides users through mapping Survey123 fields to their matching HMIS elements, with built-in validation that flags formatting issues or missing data before they become reporting problems. This ensures cleaner inputs from the start and fewer surprises downstream.
Two new permission settings keep the workflow secure and intentional: one for viewing the unsheltered PIT area and one for managing imports. Only designated staff can upload, review, or modify unsheltered PIT data, supporting compliance and protecting data integrity.
Turning PIT Surveys Into Outreach Insight and Action
Once the import is complete, unsheltered survey points appear directly on the Outreach map, giving teams instant visibility into where surveys occurred and where natural clusters may indicate encampments or high-need areas. Those clusters can be converted into encampment or client records with a few clicks, turning PIT observations into actionable outreach plans.
When it’s time to report, Clarity automatically merges sheltered and unsheltered PIT data into a single HUD-compliant PIT report: no stitching, no cross-checking, and no manual reconciliation required. A multi-system process becomes a unified, predictable workflow that produces clearer data, stronger coordination, and more confidence in final numbers.
How a Unified PIT Experience Impacts Every Role
A single import and unified workflow doesn’t just help administrators. The ripple effect benefits every part of the homeless response system. Here are just a few examples:
A Stronger, Simpler PIT Process
The ArcGIS Survey123 Unsheltered PIT Integration represents a major step forward for communities. Instead of wrestling with spreadsheets and worrying about mismatched files, teams can now manage the entire PIT count inside Clarity, with improved accuracy, less manual effort, and real-time field visibility built directly into the workflow.
This isn’t just a quality-of-life improvement for PIT administrators. It’s a structural upgrade that strengthens outreach, enhances compliance, and gives communities a clearer understanding of unsheltered homelessness.
We encourage communities to prepare their Survey123 workflow, confirm their permissions, and connect with the Bitfocus team to ensure they’re ready to take full advantage of this new capability.
Other December Enhancements
Alongside the new PIT workflow, this release adds updates that improve daily work across Clarity.
Several existing features also become available in the new interface:
- Snoozed Referrals tab: Gives CE teams a clear place to manage temporarily set-aside referrals.
- Outgoing Referrals tab: Consolidates all referrals an agency has sent, with better filters and sorting.
- New signature field type: Enables customizable screens in the new interface to capture digital signatures.
Additional updates include:
- Customer Portal upgrades: Improve accessibility and make it easier for clients to message their Care Team.
- New PIT Looker model and Data Analysis improvements: Add new views for reporting on imported unsheltered PIT data.
