A Continuum of Care (CoC) is a community-driven system that helps individuals and families experiencing homelessness transition to stable housing and regain their independence.
It's more than just a safety net—it's a strategic solution that connects people with the right resources, at the right time, to end homelessness for good.
What is a CoC?
Why Is the CoC Important?
In 1995, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) launched a game-changing initiative by requiring communities to work together and submit a single funding application for homeless assistance.
This collaborative approach encourages local organizations, governments, and nonprofits to team up, combine resources, and work toward the common goal of ending homelessness.
Today, CoCs are still at the heart of this effort, bringing together all the critical services—housing, healthcare, employment support, and more—into one coordinated system.
The 4 Key Parts of a Continuum of Care
The Continuum of Care is built on a simple, but powerful framework: meeting people where they are and guiding them through a structured path to stability. Here are the four critical parts of every CoC:
1. Outreach and Assessment
2. Emergency Shelter
3.Transitional Housing
4. Permanent Housing
How Does the HUD CoC Program Work?
The HUD CoC Program provides the funding and resources that CoCs use to carry out their work. Every year, HUD publishes a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), opening up a grant competition for local communities. The goal? To promote community-based solutions to homelessness.
Here’s what the CoC program aims to do:
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Fund critical services: Grants support nonprofit organizations, local governments, and other agencies in addressing homelessness.
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Reduce trauma: Help people transition out of homelessness quickly and safely, minimizing the psychological and emotional impact.
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Maximize mainstream resources: Ensure that communities make the most of existing programs—like healthcare, employment services, and education—to combat homelessness.
Our Local Focus:
The Central Sierra Continuum of Care (CSCoC)
​In the Central Sierra Foothills—covering Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa, and Tuolumne Counties—the Amador Tuolumne Community Action Agency (ATCAA) is leading the charge. As the CoC lead agency, ATCAA coordinates local efforts and manages the annual HUD CoC grant application process.
A Community Coming Together
Each year, ATCAA works with local partners to craft a collaborative grant application that outlines exactly how the funds will be used to help the region's homeless population. This united approach makes it possible for the community to pool its resources and maximize the impact of every dollar.
The CoC Grant Application: A Community Effort
Each year, HUD announces the beginning of the grant competition through the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). Here's how the process works:
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Step 1: The CoC submits a comprehensive, collaborative application detailing how local programs will reduce homelessness.
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Step 2: Local nonprofits, governments, and agencies come together to ensure the funds are used strategically and effectively.
This is more than just a grant—it’s a community effort to address the needs of homeless individuals and families. If you're an organization looking to apply for HUD funding, make sure to familiarize yourself with the CoC Program Interim Rule and the NOFA guidelines.
Make a Difference: Get Involved!
Homelessness affects us all, but it’s also something we can end together. If you want to be part of the solution, consider:
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Volunteering your time
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Donating to local programs
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Partnering with us to improve services
Let’s work together to create lasting change. Contact us today to learn how you can help make a difference.