What are Continuums of Care?

Continuums of Care (CoCs) are collaborative planning bodies that coordinate and deliver housing and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness. CoCs were established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the 1990s to bring together local stakeholders, including housing providers, social service agencies, and government agencies, to plan and implement a comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness in their communities.

CoCs are typically composed of representatives from organizations and agencies that provide services to people experiencing homelessness, including homeless shelters, outreach programs, mental health and substance abuse treatment programs, and supportive housing providers. CoCs are responsible for developing and implementing a strategic plan for addressing homelessness in their community, including coordinating the delivery of housing and supportive services, conducting a Point-in-Time count of people experiencing homelessness, and applying for funding from HUD and other sources to support homelessness prevention and response efforts.

CoCs play a critical role in efforts to address homelessness in the United States. By bringing together diverse stakeholders and resources to create a coordinated and effective system for delivering housing and supportive services, CoCs can help ensure that individuals and families experiencing homelessness receive the support they need to achieve and maintain stable housing.

The purpose of the Union County Continuum of Care (CoC) is to provide a leadership role in local planning and coordination to prevent, address, and ultimately eliminate homelessness in Union County, while effectively implementing the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Continuum of Care program.

The Union County CoC works to:

• Identify the gaps and needs of homeless households in Union County and participate in the process of prioritizing local and state funding to meet these needs;
• Coordinate the applications for homeless housing and service funding, including but not limited to Union County’s annual application for HUD McKinney-Vento funding;
• Track trends and adjust priorities to meet the changing needs of homeless households;
• Advocate for increased federal funding to meet the needs of those experiencing or who are at-risk of homelessness in Union County.

Contact

Nijyyah Colter

CoC/SHP & HTF Coordinator

Phone: (908) 527-4841
Email: ncolter@ucnj.org