Continuum of Care |
Since 1994, the phrase "Continuum of Care" has been used by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) when referring to a stream of funding specifically intended to serve homeless persons. HUD has stated that the best approach for alleviating homelessness is through a community-based process that provides a comprehensive response to the different needs of homeless individuals and families. To this end, HUD has encouraged communities to shape a comprehensive and coordinated housing and service delivery system called a Continuum of Care.
Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance programs fund permanent and transitional housing for homeless persons. In addition, Continuum grants fund services like outreach, job training, health care, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment and child care. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, units of governments, public nonprofit community mental health associations, and private nonprofits.
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HUD’s Continuum of Care and Clark County |
In Clark County, the Council for the Homeless directs a Continuum of Care Planning Group. It is a consortium of nonprofit agencies, businesses, community groups, and government agencies, as well as homeless and formerly homeless people. The group identifies critical gaps in service, prioritizes needs and plans for solutions. As an extension of this group's work, the Council has produced successful annual HUD Continuum of Care grants every year since 1996, bringing in more than $5.9 million.
Meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon at the YWCA Community Room: 3609 Main Street, Vancouver, WA. For more information on the Clark County Continuum of Care, please contact the Executive Director of the Council. |
2005 Continuum of Care Application and Award |
The Council for the Homeless Executive Director leads the COC planning process through the year and, with the help of a core working group, writes and submits an application to HUD on behalf of Clark County. Applications are generally due in May/June. Notification of awards occurs at the end of the calendar year, with contracts beginning by the following May/June. The 2005 award was $695,158 for projects that will provide housing subsidies and services for homeless people.
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The funding will be directed to:
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Columbia River Mental Health Services, to provide rental subsidies for 23 people with mental illness who are chronically homeless and receiving case management, mental health services, and drug and alcohol treatment.
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Mental Health Northwest, to provide housing subsidies and case management for 8 individuals who have been homeless for years due to psychiatric disorders and long-term substance abuse. Considered the most at risk and difficult to engage in the community, most of the people to be served are frequent users of emergency rooms and detox facilities.
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YW Housing/Share, for two programs: one program that provides coordinated case management, supportive services like education, transportation, and childcare for 42 homeless families, and one program that provides rental subsidies, case management, and supportive services for 20 individuals and families who are disabled and homeless.
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Share Outreach, to proactively reach out to single adults living on the street who have drug/alcohol addictions, mental illness, and other serious health problems, and engage them in services that can help.
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Vancouver Housing Authority, for two transitional housing programs that provide rental assistance, case management, and supportive services for 20 families leaving area homeless shelters to build better lives.
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Council for the Homeless, for the management of a community-wide computer network that prevents the duplication of services and provides an accurate statistical picture of homelessness in our community. It also includes training for the nonprofits and churches that use the system, and reporting to funding partners as well as the general community.
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