Set your org type, branding, public presence, and partner connections — the foundation everything else builds on.

1. Go to Organization Settings (top-right menu under your org name).
2. Set your org type: Agency or Property Management.
3. Upload your logo and fill in your contact details and mailing address.
4. Set a unique public slug for your landing page (e.g., dwellkc.com/your-org-name).
5. Go to Organization → Associations to search for and connect with partner agencies.
6. Draw your catchment area from Organization Settings → Catchment Area so partners can see your service boundary on the Community Map.

Invite your team and control exactly what each person can see and do.

1. Go to Organization → Members and click Invite User.
2. Enter the staff member's email address.
3. Select a role: Admin, Case Manager, Case Worker, Accountant, Property Staff, or Client.
4. Click Send Invitation — they receive an email link that expires in 7 days. Resend from the pending list anytime.
5. Go to Organization → Notification Roles to assign staff to alert types (new referrals, emergency observations, urgent tickets).

Build structured workflows that move clients through defined stages from intake to housed.

1. Go to Pipelines → New Pipeline.
2. Give the pipeline a name, description, and program type.
3. Add stages in order — give each a name, type, and optional required form.
4. Toggle Auto-Advance on any stage that should advance automatically when conditions are met.
5. Save — the pipeline is live immediately.
6. Enroll clients from their profile page under the Pipelines section.

Publish questionnaires that capture prospective clients online, with automatic cross-agency duplicate checking on every submission.

1. Go to Organization → Intake Forms → New Form.
2. Add a title and organize content into sections; add form parts (text, yes/no, dropdowns, file uploads).
3. Preview the form, then set it to Published — it appears on your public landing page immediately.
4. When a submission arrives, review it in DocuCenter → Form Responses.
5. Any duplicate warning shows a Compare button — click it to view the submission side-by-side with the matched client.
6. From the comparison page: link to the existing client, create a new profile, or take no action.
7. To collect updated info from an existing client instead of a stranger, send a private Form Invitation link from their profile or the Forms nav — the response links back to that client automatically.

Capture the data HUD requires at program entry and exit, with automatic snapshots that protect your reporting integrity.

1. Go to Organization → HMIS Projects → New HMIS Project.
2. Select a HUD project type (Emergency Shelter, Rapid Rehousing, PSH, etc.) and enter your CoC code.
3. Open a client's profile and click Add Enrollment to enroll them in the project.
4. Complete all required at-entry fields: income sources, benefits, health insurance, prior living situation, domestic violence, and disabling condition.
5. When the client exits, click Record Exit, select a HUD-approved destination, and save — an exit snapshot is created automatically.
6. To generate an APR or CAPER, go to Organization → HUD Hub and click Generate APR Draft for the relevant project period.

Control exactly who outside your org can see specific client records, documents, and observations.

1. Go to Organization → Visibility Policies → New Policy.
2. Name it clearly (e.g., "Shared with PM Partners — Read Only") and set read/edit/delete permissions per audience: Same Org, Agency, Property Management, Maintenance.
3. Save — the policy is now available to assign to documents and visit observations from any record's detail page.
4. To share a specific client, open their profile → Access Grants → Grant Access, select the partner org, and choose view-only or edit.
5. To transfer primary ownership, go to the client's Access Grants section and use Transfer Primary Agency — your org keeps automatic view-only access.

Pre-write the structure for a report type so staff spend less time formatting and nothing important gets left out.

1. Go to Organization → Report Templates → New Template.
2. Select the report type this template applies to (one template per type per organization).
3. Write the template body, using {tags} like {client_name}, {visit_date}, {worker_name}, and {organization_name} anywhere you want auto-filled data.
4. Save — it's immediately active. Once a visit report template exists for a visit type, clocking out of a matching visit auto-drafts the report with the template pre-filled and observation photos already attached.

A shared library for files that belong to your org as a whole — policies, program guides, lease templates — not to any individual client.

1. Go to Organization → Documents and click Upload Document.
2. Select the file, give it a clear title, and assign one or more category tags.
3. Optionally assign a visibility policy if it should be shareable with partner orgs — without one, it stays internal to your org.
4. Save — it appears in the library immediately for all staff.

Draw and maintain a live map of every unsheltered site so your whole team — and partner agencies — always know what's on the ground.

1. Go to Encampments in the navigation.
2. Use the drawing tools on the map: rectangle, polygon, radius circle, or point pin — whichever matches the site's footprint.
3. Draw the shape directly on the map over the site's location.
4. Fill in the name, type, status (Active / Inactive / Cleared / Relocated), and first-reported date.
5. Save — the encampment appears on the map immediately for all signed-in staff.
6. It also shows on the Community Map, visible to all agencies on the platform for coordinated outreach.
7. Need to restrict who can view a sensitive site's detail page? Assign a visibility policy to the encampment the same way you would a document.

Every outreach visit is automatically timestamped and geolocated, building an accountable history on every site.

1. Open the encampment's detail page.
2. Click New Visit or Check In — allow location access when the browser prompts you.
3. Your GPS coordinates are recorded at arrival.
4. Add observations while on site (see Observations & Photos below).
5. When done, click Check Out — GPS is captured again.
6. A route map showing your check-in and check-out points is saved to the visit record, building a timestamped outreach history on every site.

Log conditions and photos in real time during a visit so nothing is lost by the time you're back at a desk.

1. During an active visit, click Add Observation.
2. Write a note describing what you observed.
3. Select a severity tag: Observation (neutral), Mild, Severe, or Emergency.
4. Tap the photo icon to attach one or more photos directly from your camera or gallery.
5. Save — Emergency observations immediately alert your org's designated notification staff.
6. All observations are searchable from the visit record and the encampment's timeline history.

Clock out and your report is already drafted — template pre-filled, observation photos attached.

1. Your org admin must first set up a Visit Report Template under Organization → Report Templates for the visit type you use.
2. Complete your visit and clock out as normal.
3. Go to Visits in the navigation — a draft report is already there.
4. Open the draft — the template is pre-filled and your observation photos are already attached.
5. Review, add any additional context, and make edits as needed.
6. Submit the report when it's ready.

See everything happening across the metro and coordinate with partner agencies without picking up the phone.

1. Go to Community in the navigation to open the Community Hub.
2. Click the Map tab to see all encampments, shelters, agency service areas, and resource pins across the metro.
3. To post a need request: go to Need Requests → New Request, describe the need, set a category, and save.
4. Browse the Need Offers tab to see available resources from partner organizations.
5. Check the Calendar tab for community events and programming across all agencies.
6. Click any map pin to see the agency's contact and service area details — coordinate without making a phone call.

Register your shelter and set capacity so it appears on the public directory and Community Map automatically.

1. First ensure the physical location exists as a Property in your portfolio (Properties → New Property).
2. Go to Shelters → New Shelter and select the linked property.
3. Choose the HUD HMIS project type (Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, Day Shelter, etc.).
4. Enter the max bed count and funded bed count.
5. Save — the shelter appears on the public Community Map and shelter directory automatically; no login required for community members to find it.

Subdivide your shelter into logical groups and track every individual bed by name and real-time status.

1. From the shelter's detail page, go to Inventory Groups and click New Group.
2. Name the group by household type or program (e.g., "Single Adults – MO-604", "Family Units") and set the bed count.
3. Optionally link the group to an HMIS project so bed counts roll up into your reporting.
4. Within the group, click Add Bed and give each bed a name (A-1, Room 3B, etc.) and an initial status.
5. Bed statuses — Available, Occupied, Reserved, Maintenance — update automatically on every check-in and check-out.

Tie shelter stays to HMIS project enrollments so every night of shelter shows up correctly in your HUD data.

1. When setting up an inventory group, link it to the appropriate HMIS project — bed counts then roll up correctly in CoC/ESG reporting.
2. When a client checks in, open their profile and click Add Enrollment.
3. Select the shelter's HMIS project and enter the enrollment entry date.
4. Complete all required at-entry fields (income, benefits, prior living situation, etc.) and save — an entry snapshot is created automatically.
5. When the client departs, click Record Exit on the enrollment and select a HUD-approved exit destination.
6. The exit snapshot is created and you have 3 days to amend it before it locks to protect reporting integrity.

Add clients, prevent duplicates, and build complete profiles that follow a person across their entire housing journey.

1. Go to Clients → New Client to add someone manually.
2. Enter name, date of birth, and contact info — the system checks for duplicates across all agencies automatically.
3. Review any duplicate warnings, then save.
4. Complete the profile: housing need, income sources, family members, and upload key documents.
5. To convert a form submission: go to DocuCenter → Form Responses, open the submission, and click Create Client.
6. To verify identity, open the client's profile and use the Identity section to link them to a platform-wide verified record — prevents duplicates across agencies.

Document every visit with GPS-verified check-in/out and severity-tagged observations that automatically notify the right people.

1. Open a client's profile and click New Visit, or go to Visits → New Visit.
2. Select the visit type and confirm Check In — allow location access when prompted; GPS captures your arrival.
3. While on site, click Add Observation for each thing you note. Tag the severity: Observation, Mild, Severe, or Emergency.
4. Attach photos to any observation using the photo icon.
5. Click Check Out when done — GPS captures departure and a route map is saved.
6. If a visit report template is configured for the visit type, a draft report is automatically created in your Visits list with photos already attached.
7. Can't be there yourself? A colleague can log a Proxy Visit on your behalf and mark you as the attending worker — the record stays accurate either way.

Set structured goals with clients and track progress step by step — including milestone check-offs clients can do themselves.

1. Open the client's profile and go to the Goals tab.
2. Click New Goal and enter a title, category (housing, employment, health, etc.), description, and target date.
3. Save — clients with portal access can see the goal immediately.
4. Open the goal's detail page and click Add Milestone for each step toward the goal.
5. As milestones are completed, click the checkmark to mark them done — progress updates in real time.
6. Clients can also mark their own milestones complete from their tenant portal.

Record complete program entry and exit data with automatic compliance snapshots, all visible in one dashboard per client.

1. Open the client's profile and click Add Enrollment (or visit their HudHub page).
2. Select the HMIS project, entry date, and CoC code.
3. Complete all required at-entry fields: income sources, non-cash benefits, health insurance, prior living situation, domestic violence, and disabling condition.
4. Save — an entry snapshot is created and locked automatically.
5. To record an exit, open the enrollment and click Record Exit; select a HUD-approved exit destination and save.
6. Use HudHub (from the client's profile) to confirm all enrollments, snapshots, and household data are complete before any reporting deadline.
7. Tip: if the client has a prior enrollment, each PSDE section (Income, Non-Cash Benefits, Health Insurance, Domestic Violence) defaults to "No change — use existing data," carrying the prior values forward automatically. Switch to "Has changed" only when something needs updating.

Real-time threaded conversations with colleagues, partner staff, and clients — with permanent history and file attachments.

1. Click the chat icon in the top navigation or go to Messages.
2. Click New Conversation and search for a colleague, partner org staff, or client.
3. Add multiple participants to create a group thread.
4. Type your message and press Send; use the attachment icon to share files, photos, or PDFs.
5. All conversations are perpetual — full history is always available by scrolling up.
6. Clients in a chat can read and respond from their tenant portal.

Your central hub for every report, form response, shared document, and org notice — all in one place.

1. Go to DocuCenter in the navigation.
2. My Reports — every report you've authored, linked to the client or property it belongs to. Click any to open it.
3. Shared with Me — documents from partner organizations that are visible to your org.
4. Notices — pinned announcements from partner orgs. Pinned notices stay at the top until addressed.
5. Form Responses — all submissions to your org's intake forms, newest first. Click any to review and take action.
6. Official Forms — any official form submissions you've filed on behalf of clients.

Record what each client needs in a home so placement requests match the right unit to the right person.

1. Open the client's profile and go to the Housing Need section.
2. Set the current housing status (e.g., unsheltered, couch-surfing, transitional).
3. Enter voucher type and amount, if applicable.
4. Record unit requirements: bedroom count, accessibility features, pet-friendly, etc.
5. Note any barriers (credit history, criminal record, prior evictions).
6. Save — property managers see these criteria when reviewing placement requests, not the client's name, protecting client privacy until both sides agree to move forward.

Submit and track formal housing placement requests through a documented workflow with a clear paper trail for both orgs.

1. Find a property with a suitable vacant unit — use Properties in the navigation or browse the community map.
2. From the client's profile, go to Housing Engagements → New Placement Request.
3. Select the property management organization and the specific unit.
4. Add any relevant notes for the property manager and submit.
5. Track the status from the client's profile: Pending → Under Review → Onboarding → Placed.
6. Communicate with the property manager through the shared chat thread linked to the placement — all in one place.

Share client records with partner agencies securely, and transfer ownership when a client moves to a new program.

1. Open the client's profile and go to Access Grants.
2. Click Grant Access, search for the partner organization (they must be an associated org first), and choose view-only or edit permission.
3. The partner org's case workers will see the client in their shared caseload right away.
4. For a formal referral, go to Referrals → New Referral, select the client and receiving org, and submit. Think of a referral as the handshake — pending, accepted, or declined — and the access grant it creates as the standing door key.
5. To transfer primary ownership, use Transfer Primary Agency in the Access Grants section.
6. Your org keeps automatic view-only access after any transfer — you never lose the shared history.

Post and browse resource needs and offers across all platform agencies on the Community Hub.

1. Go to Community in the navigation to open the Community Hub.
2. Click Need Requests → New Request to post a specific resource need for a client — furniture, transportation, medical referrals, etc.
3. Describe the need, set a category, choose public or private, and save.
4. Browse the Need Offers tab to see available resources from partner organizations.
5. Check the Map tab to view all agency service areas — identify the geographically appropriate referral partner.
6. Click a map pin to see the agency's contact details, then start a direct conversation via Messages.

Manage your full portfolio with real-time vacancy tracking that partner agencies can see without calling you.

1. Go to Properties → New Property.
2. Enter the address, property type, accessibility features, and whether it's move-in ready.
3. Save the property, then open its detail page and click Add Unit.
4. For each unit, enter bedroom count, status (Vacant / Occupied / Offline), and rent amount.
5. Check the Move-In Ready flag when a unit is cleaned, inspected, and ready for occupancy.
6. Keep statuses current — partner agencies see your live vacancy counts and move-in-ready flag on their dashboard, reducing back-and-forth calls.

Review and process agency placement requests through a structured, timestamped workflow with client privacy built in every step.

1. New placement requests appear on your dashboard and in each property's request list.
2. Click a request to review the client token — unit requirements and basic profile, no identifying info until you proceed.
3. Advance the status to Under Review while you evaluate the fit; use the shared chat thread to ask the agency for more info.
4. Advance to Onboarding when ready to begin the move-in process — the agency gains access to the client's full profile at this stage.
5. Mark as Placed when the tenancy begins.
6. If the placement isn't right, click Decline and enter a reason — the agency is notified immediately.

Track every repair request from submission to resolution, with status visible to tenants automatically.

1. Tenant submissions appear in your queue automatically — no action needed to receive them.
2. To create a ticket yourself, open a Property or Unit detail page and click New Ticket.
3. Set the priority: Routine, Urgent, or Emergency.
4. Assign a staff member responsible for resolving the ticket.
5. Update the status as work progresses: Open → In Progress → Resolved.
6. The tenant sees status updates in their portal automatically — no need to call with updates.

Keep property manager, case worker, and tenant aligned in a single named group conversation thread.

1. Go to the Tenants section and find the tenant's record.
2. Click Start Conversation to create a named group chat.
3. The conversation automatically includes you (property manager), the tenant's case worker, and the tenant.
4. Name the thread something descriptive — e.g., "[Tenant Name] – Unit 2B".
5. Use this thread for move-in coordination, check-ins, follow-ups, and issue resolution.
6. All messages are stored permanently — the full history is always one click away.

Accept rent online via Stripe — funds go directly to your account with automatic ledger entries on both sides.

1. Go to Organization Settings and find the Payments section.
2. Click Connect with Stripe and follow the prompts to link your bank account via Stripe Connect.
3. Once connected, tenants will see a Pay Rent button in their portal.
4. Tenants select a payment amount and complete checkout — funds transfer directly to your linked account.
5. Each payment automatically creates a ledger entry on both sides of the transaction.
6. Review payment history in Ledger under your organization — no manual reconciliation needed.

Sign in to your private portal using the email your case worker set up for you.

1. Go to dwellkc.com and click Sign In.
2. Enter the email address your case worker registered for you.
3. If it's your first time, click Forgot Password on the sign-in page and follow the link sent to your email.
4. Set a new password and sign in.
5. If you don't recognize the email or can't get in, contact your case worker — they can resend your invitation link.

Reach your case worker and property manager any time from your phone or computer — no phone calls needed.

1. After signing in, click Messages in the navigation.
2. You'll see a group conversation already set up with your case worker (and property manager, if applicable).
3. Type your message in the box at the bottom and press Send.
4. To attach a document or photo, click the attachment icon before sending.
5. You'll receive a notification when someone replies.
6. Scroll up in any conversation to see the full history — nothing is ever deleted.

Store your ID, income documents, and other important files securely in one place, accessible from any device.

1. Go to My Documents in your portal.
2. Click Upload and select the file from your phone or computer (PDF, JPG, PNG, and most common formats are supported).
3. Give the document a clear name and select the document type (ID, Proof of Income, Lease, etc.).
4. Save — your case worker is notified that a new document is available.
5. To view or download a document you've stored, click its name in the list.

See and track the steps your case worker has set up to move you toward stable housing.

1. Go to My Goals in your portal to see the goals your case worker has set with you.
2. Click a goal to see its milestones — the individual steps that build toward that goal.
3. When you complete a step, click the checkmark next to that milestone to mark it done.
4. Your case worker sees your progress in real time — no need for a separate check-in call.
5. If something doesn't look right or you want to discuss a goal, send a message directly from the Messages section.

Report issues in your unit directly to your property manager — with automatic status updates so you always know what's happening.

1. Go to Maintenance in your portal.
2. Click New Request.
3. Describe the issue clearly — include the room and what the problem is. If it's urgent, say so.
4. Submit — the request goes directly to your property manager's queue.
5. You'll see the status update automatically: Open → In Progress → Resolved.
6. For urgent issues, also send a direct message to your property manager so they see it immediately.