1 minute read
A. Continuum of Care Structure
The term CoC will be mentioned throughout this report, so we begin here by defining what the CoC is and how it is structured. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines a Continuum of Care (CoC) as the group organized to carry out the responsibilities prescribed in the CoC Program Interim Rule for a defined geographic area. A CoC should be composed of representatives of organizations, including nonprofit homeless providers, victim service providers, faith-based organizations, governments, businesses, advocates, public housing agencies, school districts, social service providers, mental health agencies, hospitals, universities, affordable housing developers, law enforcement, organizations that serve homeless and formerly homeless veterans, and homeless and formerly homeless persons.
Responsibilities of a CoC include operating the CoC, designating and operating an HMIS, planning for the CoC (including coordinating the implementation of a housing and service system within its geographic area that meets the needs of the individuals and families who experience homelessness there), and designing and implementing the process associated with applying for CoC Program funds. i
Advertisement
At their core, CoCs have three governing entities: the membership (i.e., the relevant organizations described above), the Lead Agency, and the Governance Board. The CoC Lead Agency is often referred to as the “backbone” of the housing crisis response system because they help carry out HUD-mandated responsibilities and coordinate community efforts to prevent and end homelessness. In Manatee and Sarasota, the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness (SPEH) is the designated CoC Lead Agency. The membership comprises stakeholders throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties, and the Governance Board is referred to as the Leadership Council.
CoC Lead Agencies must be sufficiently supported to meet its many demands. One agency cannot do all the work. As SPEH leads the efforts, Manatee providers can come alongside as members serving on the Leadership Council, committees, and workgroups to offer support. Local governments, including Manatee County and its larger municipalities, can support SPEH by including them and using their valuable expertise when making funding and resource allocation decisions.
