Open Data Division

The Open Data Division is responsible for maintaining HUD's Open Data catalog, which serves as the primary platform for making the department's enterprise data assets available to the public. This division ensures the accessibility and usability of HUD's data assets, facilitating transparency and innovation in compliance with the Open, Public, Electronic and Necessary (OPEN) Government Data Act of 2018.

The Open Government Data Act, part of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act (Evidence Act), requires federal agencies to publish their information online as open data, using standardized, machine-readable data formats. This legislation mandates that:

• Public government data assets be published as machine-readable data
• Each agency develop and maintain a comprehensive data inventory
• A Chief Data Officer be designated to oversee these efforts

In line with these requirements, HUD's Open Data catalog is designed to empower the public, researchers, and policymakers by providing easy access to a wide range of HUD's data assets. This fosters an environment of transparency, accountability, and innovation.

The Open Data Division works to ensure that HUD's data assets are:

• Accessible to the public through the Data.gov catalog
• Presented in standardized, machine-readable formats
• Accompanied by comprehensive metadata
• Regularly updated and maintained
• Supported by resources to promote data literacy among users

Additionally, the Open Data Division facilitates data sharing with other federal agencies and research partners, promoting collaborative research and comprehensive policy analysis.

By fulfilling these responsibilities, the Open Data Division plays a crucial role in HUD's commitment to open government, data-driven decision-making, and the promotion of data literacy.

For questions related to Open Data or to learn more about accessing HUD's data assets, please contact us at OpenData@hud.gov.

HUD Enterprise Geospatial Systems

Within the Open Data Division, the HUD GIS Team plays a crucial role in managing the Department's geospatial ecosystem. This team's responsibilities are guided by the Geospatial Data Act of 2018 (GDA), which was signed into law on October 5, 2018, as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act (H.R. 302, P.L. 115-254).

In alignment with the GDA, the HUD GIS Team oversees two key public-facing systems:

• The Enterprise Geospatial System (eGIS)
• The ArcGIS Online Geospatial Data Storefront

The eGIS system features a collection of customized applications designed to distribute the Department's most in-demand geospatial assets to the public, fulfilling the GDA's mandate for open access to geospatial data.

Beyond these systems, the HUD GIS Team's responsibilities include:

• Managing HUD's overall geospatial assets and critical infrastructure
• Providing extensive support to program offices across the Department
• Delivering nuanced spatial analyses and high-quality mapping products
• Enhancing decision-making and policy implementation through geospatial insights
• Ensuring compliance with the standards and requirements set forth in the GDA

These efforts contribute to HUD's compliance with the GDA, which aims to improve the coordination and use of geospatial data across federal agencies and with non-federal partners. By adhering to the GDA's guidelines, HUD ensures that its geospatial data is interoperable, accessible, and of high quality, supporting better-informed decision-making at all levels of government.

For GIS-related inquiries or to learn more about HUD's geospatial data assets, please reach out to our GIS Helpdesk at GISHelpdesk@hud.gov.