Georgia Balance of State Continuum of Care (CoC)
Program Description | Downloads & Related Links
Program Description
HUD Website: Continuum of Care
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act programs administered by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that award funds competitively require the development of a "Continuum of Care" system in the community where assistance is being sought. A continuum of care system addresses the critical problem of homelessness through a coordinated community-based process of identifying needs and building a system to meet those needs. The approach is predicated on the understanding that homelessness is not caused merely by a lack of shelter, but involves a variety of underlying, unmet needs - physical, economic, and social. Funds are granted based on an annual competition following a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) by HUD.
Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Programs include:
Supportive Housing Program (SHP) - Provides transitional or permanent housing in a a supportive environment that includes planned service components. Permanent options are for persons with disabilities.
Shelter Plus Care Program (S+C) - Provides rental assistance for homeless persons with disabilities. Without HUD funds, sponsors must facilitate (through third parties) or provide all supportive services.
Continuums of Care in Georgia
Annually, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) prepares the Georgia Balance of State (152 county) Continuum of Care. Through this extremely competitive CoC program, local and state jurisdictions, housing authorities, and nonprofits (secular and faith based) can apply for funding in support of transitional and permanent housing for 'homeless' persons as defined by HUD.
If you have interests in the City of Atlanta, the counties of Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, or Chatham, or in the consolidated jurisdictions of Athens-Clarke, Augusta-Richmond or Columbus-Muscogee, you should know that these jurisdictions support local Continuums of Care that you are encouraged to support. See below for a link to local contacts and copies of current plans.
Georgia Balance of State Continuum of Care
Please visit our GA Continuum of Care Applicants and Grantees Only Webpage (linked page under construction) if your organization is --
(1) Currently funded through the Georgia Balance of State Continuum of Care, or
(2) Wishes to seek funds through the Balance of State Continuum of Care Plan.
Note that DCA/GHFA S+C "Sponsors" will receive instructions, as needed, on renewals from DCA staff. For more information on Shelter Plus Care (S+C), go to our S+C webpage.
News and Events
2008 Continuum of Care (CoC) Awards Announced by HUD
On Thursday, February 20, HUD announced $1.6 billion dollars in funding through the Continuum of Care (CoC) and Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) programs. In Georgia, DCA, various local governments and many nonprofits received a total of $31 million dollars. Of this amount, $3.6 million was awarded to ESG entitlements, including DCA, and over $27 million was awarded to homeless projects within seven (7) continuums throughout the state.
DCA and the State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless Commission sponsor the “Balance of State Continuum of Care” covering 152 counties. Of the $27 million, $11 million was awarded to 53 existing and new projects in Georgia. Of the new projects funded, DCA sponsored six (6) new Shelter Plus Care (S+C) projects that will provide permanent supportive housing for homeless and disabled persons with mental illness, medical disabilities, and histories of domestic violence. A seventh new project will assist with reconstruction of a transitional living facility in Coastal Georgia that was destroyed by a tornado in May of 2008.
Links Here!
HUD's February 20, 2009 Announcement (Web Page)
Awards Within the State of Georgia (Web Page)
Downloads & Related Links
All Georgia Continuum of Care Program Contacts (PDF)
[Includes the TriJurisdictional (Atlanta/Fulton/DeKalb), Cobb, Athens-Clarke, Columbus-Muscogee, Augusta-Richmond, and Savannah-Chatham Continuums of Care]
2004 Continuum of Care awards in Georgia: HUD Release 1-25-05 (PDF)
2005 Continuum of Care awards in Georgia: HUD Release 12-20-05 (PDF)
2006 Continuum of Care awards in Georgia: HUD Release 2-20-07 (PDF)
2007 Continuum of Care awards in Georgia: HUD Release 12-21-07 (PDF)
2005 Balance of State Continuum of Care Plan (PDF)
2006 Balance of State Continuum of Care Plan (PDF)
2007 Balance of State Continuum of Care Plan (PDF)
2007 Athens-Clarke County Continuum of Care Plan (PDF)
2007 Savannah-Chatham County Continuum of Care Plan (PDF)
2007 TriJurisdictional (Atlanta, Fulton, DeKalb) CoC (web link)
Contact Information
Email Lindsey Stillman or Tina Moore
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
60 Executive Park South N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30329
