Client Doesn't Know / Client Prefers Not to Answer
Most data elements include a ‘Client doesn’t know’ or ‘Client prefers not to answer’ response category. It is not the intention that clients be denied assistance if they prefer not to answer or are unable to supply the information. However, some information may be required by projects or public or private funders to determine eligibility for housing or services, or to assess needed services.
The ‘Client doesn’t know’ or ‘Client prefers not to answer’ responses should not be used to indicate that the case manager or data entry person does not know the client’s response. Nor are these responses to be assumed without first asking the client to provide the information. Some clients may decline to provide responses to some fields but case managers or data entry staff may not make that decision for them. For more information on this response category, refer to the HUD Data Standards Manual.
Data Not Collected
The ‘Data not collected’ option indicates a missing response to a question. Any fields with "Data not collected" selected can act as a reminder for the case manager or data entry person to make an attempt to collect the answer from the client. For more information on this response category, refer to the HUD Data Standards Manual.
Impact on Reports
Some fields will be flagged as missing or as errors if Client prefers not to answer, Client doesn’t know, or Data not collected was selected. We acknowledge that you may not be able to correct this issue as clients have the right to refuse to respond to certain questions or clients may have left your project before you were able to collect the information.