Plan together
Bring people and organizations to the same table, study local needs and gaps, and set shared goals for the response to homelessness.
Understanding the Coalition
What is a Continuum of Care?
A Continuum of Care, or CoC, is a local planning body that brings people and organizations together to coordinate a community-wide response to homelessness.
HUD also uses “CoC Program” for the federal grants that support eligible housing and services. The local CoC and the federal grant program are connected, but they are not the same thing.
A shared effort
More than one agency or program
A CoC can include people with lived experience of homelessness, housing and service providers, local governments, public housing agencies, health and mental health partners, schools, businesses, advocates, and other community members.
Member organizations may operate shelters, housing, outreach, or other services. The CoC brings that work into a shared planning and coordination process; it does not replace each provider or guarantee that a particular service is available.
How a CoC works
Four ways the local system connects
Coordinate access
Establish a coordinated entry process so people seeking housing assistance can be assessed and referred through a consistent local approach.
Learn from data
Designate and oversee the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and use community data to understand needs and improve results.
Set funding priorities
Review local project needs and priorities. A designated Collaborative Applicant submits the community’s CoC application; HUD makes federal award decisions.
Who does what
Federal guidance, local coordination, direct services
HUD
Sets CoC Program requirements and awards federal grants.
The local CoC
Convenes partners, plans the system, oversees shared processes, and sets local priorities.
Service providers
Operate individual housing and service programs and explain their own availability and eligibility.
Where to go next
Start with what you need
You do not need to navigate the federal funding process to look for help. Explore current local resources or contact a team that can respond to your situation.
Learn more from HUD
This overview is based on HUD’s CoC Program guidance. Local services, eligibility, and funding decisions can change.