HUD has published a new resource, Homeless Response System 101 for Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Grantees, encouraging CDBG-DR grantees to coordinate long-term recovery efforts with existing Continuums of Care (CoCs) and providing a practical guide for establishing relationships with CoCs.
CoCs are local groups that aim to think strategically about, plan, and implement resources to address homelessness in their community. HUD funds CoCs through a competitive grant given to either nonprofit organizations, public housing agencies (PHAs), states, or local governments. Grantees then convene a multi-stakeholder group that can include nonprofits focused on addressing homelessness, victim service providers, faith-based groups, governments, businesses, advocates, PHAs, schools, social service providers, mental health agencies, people with lived experience of homelessness, and other interested citizens.
The resource encourages all recipients of CBDG funding to develop relationships with CoCs to ensure the development of “decent, accessible, equitable, and affordable housing.” The resource also outlines the important role played by CoCs in addressing homelessness on the local level, summarizes how they carry out their work, and explains how to create effective and long-lasting relationships with CoCs before, during, and after disasters strike.
CoCs are uniquely positioned to assess and uplift the needs and lived experiences of local homeless populations. Before a disaster strikes, CDBG-DR grantees should establish relationships with their CoCs and incorporate CoC data into their Unmet Needs Assessment. During a disaster, CoCs typically already have service providers organized and ready to assist the community. Additionally, they have an abundance of experience operating congregate and non-congregate shelters. CDBG-DR grantees should work with CoCs to enhance the services they already provide. Finally, in the aftermath of a disaster, CoCs can work with CDBG-DR grantees to develop effective Action Plans, share information and insights from the ground, develop housing, provide rental assistance, and coordinate case management.
Read the Homeless Response System 101 for CDBG-DR Grantees here.