What is a Continuum of Care?
The Continuum of Care is a community-based, long-range plan that addresses the needs of homeless persons in order to help them reach maximum self-sufficiency. The Continuum of Care is developed through collaboration with a broad cross section of the community and based on a thorough assessment of homeless needs and resources. The Continuum of Care is recommended by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a comprehensive and strategic approach to addressing homelessness.
HUD Definition of the Continuum of Care:
"The Continuum of Care is a community plan to organize and deliver housing and services to meet the specific needs of people who are homeless as they move to stable housing and maximum self-sufficiency. It includes action steps to end homelessness and prevent a return to homelessness."
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Trainer Guide on Continuum of Care Planning and Implementation
HUD has developed an excellent guide describing the Continuum of Care planning process. See the link to the right for more information.
Fundamental Components of a Continuum of Care System
The Continuum of Care system is a coordinated set of services. The fundamental components of this system are described below. Not all homeless persons will need services from each component in the Continuum of Care. A full range of services should be available, however, in order to meet the needs of different subpopulations of homeless persons. The fundamental components of the Continuum of Care system do not work in isolation from one another. Rather, the Continuum of Care system is a dynamic system in which services are linked through referrals and networking. This linkage helps homeless persons access services more easily and progress toward permanent housing and self-sufficiency. Homeless persons do not necessarily move through the system in a linear fashion.
Homeless Prevention:
Assistance to help people maintain their housing and prevent homelessness.
Outreach, Intake and Assessment:
To identify an individual's or family's needs and link them to appropriate housing and/or services.
Emergency Shelter:
Short term, safe and decent shelter provided as an alternative to the streets.
Transitional Housing:
Housing with supportive services to help people develop the skills they need to live in permanent housing.
Supportive Services:
Supportive services should be available throughout the Continuum of Care in order to address the specific needs of each individual. Supportive services may be provided in conjunction with housing, or through referral. Services should be available to address both the immediate and long term needs of homeless persons, such as education, employment assistance, health care, substance abuse treatment and mental health care, child care, transportation and other services.
Permanent Housing:
Affordable housing in which residents pay no more than 30% of their income for housing costs.
Permanent Supportive Housing:
Housing with supportive services designed to allow persons with disabilities to live in the community as independently as possible.
Continuum of Care Grant (HUD "SuperNOFA" for Homeless Services)
The Continuum of Care Grant is a highly competitive federal grant that provides funding for homeless services and housing. This grant is sometimes referred to as the "Homeless SuperNOFA" or "SuperNOFA". This year, Texas was eligible for nearly $60 million in funding under this grant. To see how much your community was eligible to receive in 2001, click here A wide variety of services and housing are eligible for funding under the Continuum of Care. For a complete overview of Continuum of Care programs, see the link to the right.
Supportive Housing Program
Provides funding for new construction, acquisition and rehabilitation, operating costs and supportive services for the following activities:
Transitional Housing:
Housing with supportive services provided for a maximum of 24 months to help homeless persons make the transition from homelessness to independent living.
Permanent Housing for Persons with Disabilities:
Permanent housing with supportive services provided to allow homeless persons with disabilities to live in the community as independently as possible.
Supportive Services Only (SSO):
Services provided by an entity that does not also provide housing.
Safe Haven:
Specialized shelter for chronically mentally ill persons.
Shelter Plus Care
Provides rental assistance to homeless persons with disabilities. The value of rental assistance must be matched by an equivalent amount of services. See the link to the right for more information.
Section 8 Moderate Rehab Single Room Occupancy (SRO)
Provides funding for rental assistance and rehabilitation of low cost housing for single individuals. See the link to the right for more information.
