Creating a community-wide effort in the planning and strategic allocation of resources to address homelessness.
What is a Continuum of Care?
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) initiated Continuums of Care (CoCs) which span all 50 states and 6 United States territories. New Hampshire is divided into three (3) CoCs. Each CoC consists of a wide-range of representatives from public and private entities that include civic groups, educational institutions, faith-based organizations, health and mental health care providers, local government, and non-profit agencies. CoCs are charged with promoting and implementing evidence-based and emerging practices for preventing and ending homelessness. New Hampshire CoCs receives approximately $12 million each year through the CoC Program to help fund these practices. For more information click on the following link: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/coc/
How is the Manchester CoC Managed and Run?
The Manchester CoC is a collaborative of community member organizations who work together to promote a community wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness in Manchester, NH. The Lead Agency, also known as the Collaborative Applicant, is Families in Transition. As the Collaborative Applicant, Families in Transition is designated by the MCoC to apply for grants from HUD on behalf of the continuum of care.
The MCoC Board is the primary decision-making body for the MCoC. Board members determine the policy direction of the CoC and ensure that the CoC fulfills its responsibilities as assigned by HUD. Additionally, the Board oversees and approves the work of CoC committees and workgroups. The Board consists of 10-15 volunteer community members. The CoC Board and CoC Lead Agency Staff will strive to ensure broad representation among the positions, including community stakeholders from around the CoC’s geographic area and agency staff representing the major homeless subpopulations.
The General Membership of the MCoC represents persons experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, providers of homeless services, and other relevant organizations and community stakeholders to establish a Continuum of Care and to fulfill the CoC’s responsibilities, as required by HUD. Anyone who works or lives in the Manchester geographic area, and all Manchester Continuum of Care housing and homeless services projects in the CoC's geographic area, are considered to be members of the CoC. The CoC has an open invitation process, so people may join at any time to participant in planning. Planning activities include CoC general meetings, CoC Board elections, committee membership, public comment, funding opportunities, PIT Counts, and other activities as announced by the CoC lead agency and CoC Board.
While decisions for the Continuum are made by the Board, the work of the Continuum will generally be carried out by CoC committees and as appointed by CoC committees, CoC subcommittees. CoC Committees are created with the approval of the CoC Board, to assist the CoC in carrying out mandated activities. CoC Committees are also the primary mechanism for CoC members to affect decisions made by the CoC Board. Committees shall not make any policy or funding-related decisions, unless authority is otherwise designated by the CoC. Committees may make recommendations to the CoC Board, that the Board will then vote to approve or not approve. The Board will establish committees, as necessary to ensure all CoC responsibilities are fulfilled according to HUD regulations, or to fulfill other CoC needs. Each committee may be led by a chair or co-chairs. Committee members may be members of the Board, MCoC members and/or other stakeholders. The MOC has six (6) active Committees to help fulfill our goals. Learn more about our committees here.
Review our Governance Charter
Learn more about our Leadership or join us for an MCoC General Assembly Meeting
Who Can be a Member of the Continuum of Care?
The MCoC is open to anyone interested in becoming more involved in their community’s response to homelessness. The philosophy behind the creation of a CoC is that the issue of homelessness is multifaceted, so participation, coordination, and collaboration from all community members in a particular region is required to solve the issue. Everyone is welcome to join the MCoC because everyone is impacted by homelessness in some way.
