What is Continuum of Care?

Continuum of Care is a term that HUD uses in two different contexts:

  • The CoC is a planning and organizational process for the homeless service system
  • CoC is the application used to apply for HUD’s Competitive Homeless Assistance Funding for Transitional and Permanent Housing projects

Components of the Continuum

Counties in the BoS CoC

A Continuum of Care is designed to move people from the streets to permanent housing…

Importance of Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Participation for Kansas

  • Effects all KS CoC scores and ability to secure $$$$ for transitional and permanent housing projects.
  • Provides data needed for HUD CoC Application
  • Required for HUD funded programs

HMIS Participation Effects the CoC Application Score

  • Each CoC is required to complete a bed inventory of all shelters, transitional and permanent housing programs for homeless regardless of funding source.
  • Points are given for HMIS bed coverage for programs in the housing inventory.
  • Future CoC funding will be tied to participation in HMIS and AHAR.

Homeless Point-in-Time Survey

  • HUD requires sheltered and unsheltered census counts in their annual CoC application.
  • Point-in-Time is the number of homeless persons on a given day or night.
  • Currently, we have been using paper surveys, we could use HMIS data for a more accurate, effective an easier count!

The Really Big Picture: What ARE the Benefits?

  • Data Drives Decision Making and Policy at the local, state and Federal Levels
  • Real Data to prove that rural homelessness exists
  • AHAR Data and CoC outcomes have steadily increased HUD funding appropriations from congress
  • Benefits to clients, programs

Data Drives Decision Making

  • HMIS data output brings the stories of those who rely upon the delivery of homeless services to the public policy makers in aggregate format.
  • HMIS data can impact public policy by documenting the most effective programs in ending homelessness.

Is Rural Homeless is Increasing in Kansas?

  • This is a difficult question to answer, due to the lack of consistent and accurate counts, especially in rural areas.
  • Many people, who have been providing services to the homeless in rural Kansas, will tell you that they are being inundated, especially with families.
  • Without real numbers, rural homelessness will not become an important issue to state policy makers!

Triangle of Benefits of HMIS