HUD's homeless assistance programs are categorized as either formula (non-competitive) or competitive. HUD awards Emergency Solutions Grants by formula to states and local governments. It awards the Continuum of Care Program and other competitive funds via a national competition through a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).
On May 20, 2009, President Obama signed the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act or 2009. The HEARTH Act amends and reauthorizes the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act with substantial changes, including consolidating HUD's competitive grant programs and changing HUD's definition of homelessness and chronic homelessness. Grant awards under these ‘legacy’ grant programs are still in place and the resources for those programs are still relevant.
Evidence suggests that policies and practices criminalizing homeless have an adverse effect on those experiencing homelessness across the country. For information on a more human rights approach, visit the Alternatives to Criminalizing Homelessness page.
The FY 2015 CoC Program Registration closed on May 18, 2015. CoC Review closed on July 10, 2015. The opening of the CoC Program Competition has not yet been announced.
Discrimination based on HIV and AIDS is illegal. This includes the unlawful denial of housing or access to housing. For more information, visit the HIV/AIDS Resources page.
The HMIS Data Dictionary and HMIS Data Manual define and provide basic guidance on HMIS data elements and requirements for HMIS compliance.
The CoC 2.0 Training Materials assist CoC Lead Agencies, CoC Collaborative Applicants, and grant recipients and subrecipients to meet the specific requirements for which they are responsible.
The Coordinated Entry Policy Brief summarizes HUD’s views on goals for the Coordinated Entry process.
CoC: Continuum of Care Program
ESG: Emergency Solutions Grants Program
RHSP: Rural Housing Stability Assistance Program
Emergency Shelter Grants Program
S+C: Shelter Plus Care Program
SHP: Supportive Housing Program
SRO: Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room Occupancy Program
BRAC: Defense Base Closure and Realignment Program
HPRP: Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program
HUD-VASH: HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program
Title V: Title V Program - Federal Surplus Property
VHPD: Veterans Homelessness Prevention Demonstration Program
e-snaps: Homeless Assistance Application and Grants Management System
HDX: Homelessness Data Exchange (PIT, HIC, AHAR)
HMIS: Homeless Management Information System
lDIS: Integrated Disbursement and Information System
PIT and HIC: Point-in-Time Count and Housing Inventory Count
Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, and CAPER
AHAR: Annual Homelessness Assessment Report
APR: Annual Performance Report
QPR: Quarterly Performance Report - See individual program pages for more information about QPR
If you are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or know someone who is homeless, help is available. For homelessness assistance, contact a local Continuum of Care (CoC) grant recipient.
Homelessness resources for health care, food, housing counseling, and job training and placement assistance are also available.
Find local housing, food, and health care assistance agencies
Resources for the chronically homeless
