CoC Program Toolkit - CoC Responsibilities and Duties
Resources cover the range of Continuum of Care (CoC) responsibilities and duties, including CoC governance and structure, system operations and planning, designating and operating the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), and designing a coordinated entry system. These resources also address the CoC’s responsibilities for preparing and submitting the annual application to HUD for funding, and there is a section specifically for Collaborative Applicants with or seeking a designation as a Unified Funding Agency.
The Coordinated Entry Community Samples Catalogue provides CoCs with a wide array of examples of coordinated entry documents that have been created by communities from across the country.
Virtual Binders
CoC and ESG Virtual Binders cover foundational topics from the CoC and ESG programs, with the goal to transfer basic knowledge to grantees in order to more successfully administer their projects.
Find By Topic
Coordinated Entry
Resources categorized under Coordinated Entry aid in the establishment and operation of a Coordinated Entry process that standardizes the way individuals and families at risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness access are assessed for and referred to the housing and services that they need for housing stability. Specific resources discuss the philosophy, requirements, and models of Coordinated Entry processes.
Coordinated Entry Equity Demonstration
For years, communities have seen how assessment tools, prioritization processes, and general practices within coordinated entry systems (CES) exacerbate and create racial inequities in the housing and services needs of clients and do not prioritize clients for appropriate housing in a racially equitable way. HUD embarked on a new way of approaching this work through the “Coordinated Entry Equity Demonstration.”
Date Published: October 2022
Coordinated Entry Data and System Performance
Coordinated Entry is a CoC-established system-wide process to quickly and equitably coordinate the access, assessment, prioritization and referrals to housing and services for people experiencing or at imminent-risk of homelessness. This document walks through setting up coordinated entry in HMIS and what makes a CE system work.
Date Published: May 2022
Methods for Integrating a HOPWA Program and a Coordinated Entry System: A Resource of Case Studies
This resource examines the methods HOPWA grantees and CoCs are using to integrate HOPWA programs into communities' Coordinated Entry Systems (CES). It includes the results of interviews with three communities, including the types of HOPWA activities channeled through Coordinated Entry, successes and challenges, and peer suggestions for other communities. This resource is intended to be helpful to both HOPWA grantees and CoCs.
Date Published: October 2021
HUD's New Coordinated Entry Data Elements
HUD finalized a set of Coordinated Entry (CE) data elements to standardize data collection on core components of CE – access, assessment, referral, and prioritization. These elements are the result of several months of collaboration with key stakeholders to learn from communities’ experiences implementing and refining CE data collection and determining precisely what data is needed to effectively manage and evaluate the effectiveness of CE. This document provides an overview of the CE data elements, implementation timeline, and TA resources and support that are available to assist CoCs to transition to these new elements.
Date Published: April 2020
CoC Analysis Tool: Race and Ethnicity
Each community has unique circumstances impacting homeless populations. The CoC Analysis Tool draws on PIT Count and American Community Survey data to facilitate analysis of racial disparities among people experiencing homelessness. Such an analysis is a critical first step in identifying and changing racial and ethnic bias in our systems and services.
Date Published: December 2018
Coordinated Entry Management and Data Guide
The Coordinated Entry Management and Data Guide expands on the policy and management responsibilities described in the HUD’s Coordinated Entry Notice. The Guide provides special focus on data systems and their functionality when considering how to evaluate CE processes.
Date Published: October 2018
Outline for a CoC’s Coordinated Entry “Policies & Procedures” Document
This resource is a general outline for a coordinated entry policies and procedures document. It references all required coordinated entry elements established by HUD’s 2017 Notice CPD-17-01 and can be used as a starting point to develop locally specific coordinated entry policies and procedures that reflect the particular CoC’s operational standards and management practices.
Date Published: April 2018
VA Participation in Coordinated Entry: VA Guidance and Implementation Assessment Checklist
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published two resources–guidance and an assessment checklist–to support VA medical centers (VAMCs) to fully participate in the Coordinated Entry process in CoC(s) whose geography overlaps with the VAMC catchment area. The guidance and assessment checklist are meant to support community planning and Coordinated Entry system efforts within CoCs by clearly outlining the expectations of VA medical center involvement.
Date Published: November 2017
Coordinated Entry Core Elements
This Guidebook is designed to help CoCs understand the core components of Coordinated Entry by outlining what HUD requires; plan and implement a Coordinated Entry process appropriate to their needs, resources, and the vision of the CoC’s membership; and consider implementing additional elements beyond basic requirements.
Date Published: June 2017
Requirements for Coordinated Entry Systems Webinar
This webinar for CoCs and recipients of CoC Program and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program funding educates participants about the components of the Notice Establishing Additional Requirements for CoC Centralized or Coordinated Assessment System. This webinar connects the dots across all of HUD's Coordinated Entry requirements and recommendations, and helps communities understand the requirements and what steps a community should consider to evaluate and ensure compliance.
Date Published: March 2017
Enhance Early Childhood Program and System Integration with the CoC Coordinated Entry Process
This document is an excerpt from the Joint Policy Statement on Meeting the Needs of Families with Young Children Experiencing and At Risk of Homelessness released by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Department of Education (ED). It focuses on the second of three policy recommendations related to Coordinated Entry processes.
Date Published: February 2017
CPD-17-01: Notice Establishing Additional Requirements for a CoC Centralized or Coordinated Assessment System
HUD’s Coordinated Entry Notice establishes new requirements that CoCs and recipients of CoC Program and ESG Program funding must meet related to the development and use of a Coordinated Entry process. HUD’s Notice also provides guidance on additional policies that CoCs and ESG recipients should consider incorporating into their written policies and procedures to achieve improved outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.
Date Published: January 2017
Coordinated Entry Self-Assessment
This tool provides a list of both required and recommended Coordinated Entry process elements. CoCs can use the self-assessment as a reference to help identify key aspects of coordinated entry design, implementation, and management; compare the list of elements in the self-assessment against existing CoC plans and/or practices to gauge the extent to which the CoC currently includes those elements; and as a general outline for a set of policies and procedures a CoC must adopt to support the ongoing management of the Coordinated Entry process and its many functions.
Date Published: January 2017
Coordinated Entry and Youth FAQs
These FAQs respond to questions about the development and implementation of Coordinated Entry processes specific to working with runaway and homeless youth populations. HUD and HHS have developed the FAQs and answers in direct response to questions from the field – both CoCs and youth-serving providers. The FAQs and answers are meant to provide guidance to communities in developing and implementing a CE process that is responsive and developmentally appropriate to the needs of youth.
Date Published: August 2016
Coordinated Entry Policy Brief
This policy brief summarizes HUD’s views on goals for the coordinated entry process. This brief does not establish requirements for CoCs, but rather is meant to inform local efforts to further develop CoCs’ Coordinated Entry processes.
Date Published: February 2015
Coordinated Entry and Victim Service Providers FAQs
This FAQ document responds to questions about the Coordinated Entry process and how it relates to victim service providers for CoCs.
Date Published: November 2015
Coordinated Entry and HMIS FAQs
This FAQ document responds to questions about the Coordinated Entry process and how it relates to HMIS for CoC.
Date Published: March 2015
CoC's Coordinated Assessment System Prezi
This presentation provides an overview of Coordinated Assessment System requirement under the CoC Program interim rule. The presentation explains the intent and detailed associated with this responsibility.
Date Published: September 2013
Coordinated Assessment - Models and Principles Under the CoC Program Interim Rule Video
This video provides an overview of the Coordinated Assessment requirement under the CoC Program interim rule and highlights the differences between Coordinated Assessment and Centralized Intake, or Single Point of Access.
Date Published: September 2013
Coordinated Assessment - Philosophy Under the CoC and ESG Programs Video
This video provides an overview of the philosophy behind the Coordinated Assessment requirement under the CoC and ESG programs.
Date Published: September 2013
CoC Governance and Structure
Resources categorized under CoC Governance and Structure assist CoC Lead Agencies and Collaborative Applicants in the establishment and governing of the Continuum of Care. Topics include CoC responsibilities, CoC Board and CoC structure, CoC Governance Charter, and merging CoCs.
Housing First Implementation Resources
As communities are implementing the Housing First Approach in their homeless crisis response systems, they sometimes struggle with taking the approach from a set of guiding principles to policy and procedures in their projects. This set of resources can assist communities and agencies in implementing housing first in their projects.
Date Published: March 2018
Key Questions for CoCs Considering Unified Funding Agency (UFA) Status
This discussion guide helps CoCs consider what issues to discuss when considering whether they should apply to be a UFA. This document outlines the responsibilities of UFAs and includes two checklists to help CoCs understand the unique CoC governance and financial management aspects of being a UFA.
Date Published: March 2018
CoC Merger Resources
The CoC Merger Resources are designed to help CoCs understand the merger process. HUD will post the guides throughout 2018 as they become available.
Date Published: February 2018
Housing First Assessment Tool
This assessment tool aims to rate and document whether housing and service providers who serve those experiencing homelessness are compliant with best practice standards of the Housing First model.
Date Published: September 2017
CoCs and Con Plan Jurisdictions: Collaborating to Reduce Homelessness Video
This video provides an overview of the CoC and Con Plan jurisdiction responsibilities for collaboration. It discusses how the requirements related to Coordinated Entry, Written Standards, Performance Measurement and Strategic Resource Allocation can be used to encourage collaboration.
Date Published: March 2017
Coordination and Collaboration for CoCs and Con Plan Jurisdictions Guide and Video
This guide explains the minimum regulatory requirements regarding coordination and collaboration between CoCs and Consolidated Plan Jurisdictions, including those with and without ESG allocations. The video also provides additional strategies for collaboration between these entities.
Date Published: April 2016
Key Considerations for CoCs in Changing Recipients
The CoC Program interim rule establishes responsibilities for CoCs including monitoring recipient and subrecipient performance within their geographic area and taking action against poor performers when needed. This brief, as well as the companion flow chart, raise factors for CoCs to consider when faced with a situation that requires a change in a recipient.
Date Published: December 2015
CoC Duties: Establishing and Operating a CoC Broadcast
This broadcast provides an overview of the CoC Program and priorities and introduces the next generation of HUD training and guidance.
Date Published: September 2013
CoC Governance Charter Podcast
This podcast provides an overview of CoC duties and governance charters.
Date Published: September 2013
Establishing the CoC Video
This video provides an overview of the process of establishing a CoC, the purpose of the CoC, and its role in HUD's homeless assistance programs.
Date Published: September 2013
CoC Governance Crosswalk of Changes: CoC Program, SHP, and S+C Program Regulations
This is a quick reference guide to citations for the new CoC Program interim rule related to the CoC, its responsibilities, the CoC board, and the CoC Program grant application and preparation.
Date Published: November 2012
Establishing and Operating a CoC
This user guide provides an overview of how to establish and operate a CoC, focusing on CoC governance and responsibilities.
Date Published: November 2012
CoC System Operations and Planning
Resources categorized under CoC System Operations and Planning address CoC planning responsibilities and operational duties.
Partnering with Local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs)
This document highlights sample approaches to assist with building strategic partnerships between PHAs, CoCs, and other community stakeholders.
Date Published: October 2020
System Performance Measures
This page provides HUD guidance for CoCs on system-level performance.
Key Considerations for CoCs in Changing Recipients
The CoC Program interim rule establishes responsibilities for CoCs including monitoring recipient and subrecipient performance within their geographic area and taking action against poor performers when needed. This brief, as well as the companion flow chart, raise factors for CoCs to consider when faced with a situation that requires a change in a recipient.
Date Published: December 2015
System Performance Measures Introductory Guide
The purpose of this introductory guide is to help CoCs understand how HUD expects CoCs to calculate and use these system-level performance measures as the established selection criteria for awarding CoC Program projects and to evaluate system performance.
Date Published: May 2015
System Performance Measures in Context
This document briefly summarizes the relationship of the system performance measures and how they will be used.
Date Published: July 2014
CoC Duties: Planning and System Operation Responsibilities Broadcast
This broadcast provides an overview of the duties related to planning and system operations responsibilities, so that listeners can clearly understand what will be expected of their CoCs.
Date Published: September 2013
Designating and Operating the HMIS
Resources categorized under Designating and Operating the HMIS pertain to the CoC’s responsibilities to designate a single HMIS for the geographic area, select a HMIS Lead to manage the HMIS, and comply with HUD’s HMIS planning and participation requirements.
CoC HMIS Recordkeeping Requirements Start Up Training
This webinar, presented as a part of the CoC Start Up Training series, provides an overview of HMIS data collection requirements for FY 2013 recipients with projects funded under the CoC Program interim rule.
Date Published: June 2014
CoC Program: HMIS Broadcast
This broadcast provides an overview of a CoC’s responsibilities related to designating and operating an HMIS, including specific-HMIS duties assigned to the CoC and the role of the CoC versus the HMIS lead organization.
Date Published: September 2013
Designating and Operating an HMIS Video
This video provides an overview of designating and operating an HMIS under the CoC Program.
Date Published: September 2013
CoC Program Funding for HMIS User Guide and FAQs
This user guide provides an overview of HMIS and the CoC’s responsibilities in relation to HMIS, and describes how CoC Program funds can be used by the HMIS Lead and by other recipients to support the implementation of HMIS.
Date Published: August 2012