Continuum of Care

The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program is designed to promote communitywide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, and State and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless individuals, families, and communities by homelessness; promote access to and effect utilization of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families; and optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

According to HUD, there are four necessary parts of a continuum:
• Outreach, intake, & assessment in order to identify service & housing needs as well as provide a link to the appropriate level of both.
• Emergency shelter to provide an immediate & safe alternative to sleeping on the streets, especially for homeless families with children.
• Transitional housing with supportive services to allow for the development of skills that will be needed once permanently housed.
• Permanent supportive housing to provide individuals & families with an affordable plan to live with services if needed.

To read more about HUD Continuum of Care programs visit the website at www.hudexchange.info/programs/coc/.

For information about the Continuum of Care of Northeast TN visit the website at www.appalachianhomeless.org/continuum-of-care/.