What is the CoC Continuum of Care?
A Continuum of Care is a group of representatives from local organizations, assembled to plan for and provide a system of outreach, engagement, and assessment; emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing; and prevention strategies to address the various needs of the homeless or those at risk of homelessness within their geographic region.
Examples of CoC Representatives
• Nonprofit homelessness assistance providers
• Victim services providers
• Faith-based organizations
• Governments
• Businesses
• Victim services providers
• Faith-based organizations
• Governments
• Businesses
• Advocacy Groups
• Public Housing Authorities
• School districts
• Social services providers
• Mental health agencies
• Hospitals
• Public Housing Authorities
• School districts
• Social services providers
• Mental health agencies
• Hospitals
• Universities
• Affordable housing developers
• Law enforcement agencies
• Organizations serving veterans
• Homeless or formerly homeless individuals
• Affordable housing developers
• Law enforcement agencies
• Organizations serving veterans
• Homeless or formerly homeless individuals
Responsibilities of Continuum of Care
- Conducting the federally required, year-round community-organizing needs assessment and planning process for addressing and ending homelessness.
- Developing and submitting an annual application to HUD for the jurisdictionally assigned pro rata share of federal funds available for sponsor-based projects to serve and house homeless citizens.
- Monitoring and making recommendations regarding projects funded through this process, and providing oversight of project outcomes.
- Operating the federally mandated Homeless Management Information System.
- Reviewing and approving an annual Point-In-Time Count plan, and empowering a lead agency to coordinate and conduct the count.
- Plan and produce annual Project Homeless Connect—a one day service fair for homeless individuals and families. Services include legal services, state ID cards, housing assistance, work-force development, health & wellness, and other services provided at no cost.
- Providing citizens of the two-county area with information and resources about the availability of services and homeless assistance programs.