Ann Oliva, Director Brett Gagnon, Program Specialist Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs HEARTH Act: Continuum of Care Program

Overview of Presentation HUD’s Current Continuum of Care Programs (SHP, S+C, and SRO) – Applicability of the Homeless Definition Update - Continuum of Care Regulations Next Steps: Getting Ready to Implement the Continuum of Care Program

Applicability of the Homeless Definition to the SHP, S+C, and SRO Programs

Definition of Homeless - Overview HUD’s amended definition went into effect on January 4, 2012 Established four categories under which a person can be defined as homeless: Category 1: Literally Homeless Category 2: Imminent Risk of Literal Homelessness Category 3: Homeless Under Other Federal Statutes Category 4: Fleeing/Attempting to Flee DV

Definition of Homeless – Applicability to SHP and S+C The amended definition applies to: SHP grants awarded (new and renewal) in the FY 2011 CoC Competition S+C grants awarded (new and renewal) in the FY 2011 CoC Competition The amended definition DOES NOT apply to Section 8 Mod Rehab SRO grants awarded in the FY 2011 CoC Competition

Definition of Homeless – Applicability to SHP and S+C Q: When does it become effective for my SHP or S+C project funded in the FY 2011 CoC Competition? A: The amended definition goes into effect for the individual project at the beginning of the operating year

Definition of Homeless – Applicability to SHP and S+C Limitations Eligibility for Permanent Supportive Housing limited by FY 2011 NOFA for CoC Homeless Assistance Programs Ability of a project to serve persons defined as homeless under Category 3 (Homeless Under Other Federal Statute) limited by Notice on Limitation on Use of Funds to Serve Persons Defined as Homeless Under Other Federal Laws

Definition of Homeless – Applicability to SHP and S+C Eligibility for Permanent Supportive Housing PSH projects funded in the FY 2011 CoC Competition may ONLY serve persons who come from the streets, emergency shelters, safe havens, or transitional housing (where they originally came from the streets or emergency shelters)

Definition of Homeless – Applicability to SHP and S+C Q: Is an individual who qualifies as homeless under Category 2 or Category 3 eligible for PSH? A: No. While persons who meet the criteria of Category 2 or 3 of the homeless definition are defined as homeless, they are not eligible for PSH.

Definition of Homeless – Applicability to SHP and S+C Q: Are all individuals and families that are currently residing in TH now eligible for PSH? A: No. To be eligible for PSH, these individuals and families must have originally come from the streets or emergency shelters.

Definition of Homeless – Applicability to SHP and S+C Category 3: Limitation of Use of Funds CoCs must request approval of HUD in order for one of more of its projects to be permitted to serve persons defined as homeless under Category 3 If approved, the CoC may not use more than 10% of its funding to serve this population.

Update: Continuum of Care Program

CoC Program Purpose Promote community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness Provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, State and local government to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation cause by homelessness Promote access to, and effective utilization of, mainstream programs Optimize self-sufficiency among people experiencing homelessness

CoC Program and FY 2012 HUD is in the final stages of clearing the release of the CoC regulation Congress has directed that the CoC rule be published as interim so they can be implemented in FY 2012

CoC Program and FY 2012 Due to limited resources, CoCs should be aware of the following in FY 2012: Renewal of existing projects is a priority The increases for leasing, operating, rental assistance, and admin are unlikely to be funded at their fully authorized amounts

CoC Program and FY 2012 Due to limited resources, CoCs should be aware of the following in FY 2012: CoC Planning funds may be available, but at levels less than 3% Funding for UFAs is unlikely to be available High Performing Communities will not be implemented

Next Steps: What Can You Do to Prepare for the CoC Program

Next Steps: CoCs Complete the CoC Check-Up Assess your current application process to determine what, if any, changes should be made Review your current portfolio of SHP and S+C projects relative to expenditure of funds and performance to determine what, if any, changes should be made

Next Steps: CoCs Conduct an analysis of the partnerships in your community to determine their effectiveness and whether any are missing Determine what efficiencies should be made to your current homeless assistance and response system and begin putting them into place Determine if your HMIS, counting methodologies, and other data tools are sufficient to address the performance measures

Next Steps: Project Recipients Review your project relative to expenditure of funds and performance to determine what, if any, changes should be made Review the quality of the HMIS data within your organization (if applicable) and implement strategies to improve data quality and collection, if necessary

Next Steps: Project Recipients Review the match requirements and determine if they will impact your project’s ability to continue to have sufficient cash resources to carry out projects Review your organization’s infrastructure, administrative capacity, and policies in place to manage program requirements (e.g., consumer involvement and educational opportunities for youth) to improve capacity, if necessary

Next Steps READ the statute and regulations that have already been published

Resources

Amended Definition of Homeless ource&ResourceID=4519 Notice on Limitation on Use of Funds to Serve Persons Defined as Homeless Under Other Federal Laws ource&ResourceId=4596

Resources Criteria and Recordkeeping Requirements for Definition of Homeless ource&ResourceId=4579 Determining Homeless and At-Risk Status, Income, and Disability Webinar ource&ResourceId=4555

Resources HEARTH/HMIS Conference Materials: Continuums of Care ource&ResourceID=2034&cv=t2&keywordshttp:// ource&ResourceID=2034&cv=t2&keywords=

Resources Ask a Question and Review Frequently Asked Questions on the HRE’s Virtual Help Desk desk

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