HMIS 101: What Is A Continuum of Care (CoC)?

The Continuum of Care (CoC) program is designed to address the critical problem of homelessness through a coordinated, community-based process of identifying needs and building a system of housing and services to address those needs. The purpose of the CoC program is to:

• promote community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness;
• provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, and State and local governments to quickly re-house individuals and families experiencing homelessness while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused by homelessness;
• promote access to and effective utilization of mainstream programs by individuals and families experiencing homelessness;
• optimize self-sufficiency among those experiencing homelessness.

A Continuum of Care is a geographically based group which may be comprised of representatives of organizations, including nonprofit homeless assistance providers, victim service providers, faith-based organizations, governments, businesses, advocates, public housing agencies, school districts, social service providers, mental health agencies, hospitals, universities, affordable housing developers, law enforcement, and organizations that serve people who have previously and are currently experiencing homelessness to the extent that these groups are represented within the geographic area and are available to participate that carries out the planning responsibilities of the CoC program. Each Continuum is responsible for measuring their respective community's overall performance at reducing homelessness, in addition to tracking performance on a project-by-project basis. Furthermore, each Continuum is responsible for establishing and operating a centralized or coordinated entry system that will provide a comprehensive assessment of the needs of individuals and families for housing and services.

There are two Continuums of Care (CoCs) in Alaska:

• Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness - includes the Municipality of Anchorage geocode
• Alaska Coalition on Housing nd Homelessness Programs (commonly referred to as Balance of State) - includes all geographic areas in Alaska that are not included in the Municipality of Anchorage geocode area 

Additional Resources

CoC Information on HUD Exchange: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/coc/

Alaska Coalition on Housing and Homelessness Programs

Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness