NC Balance of State CoC Overview
REGIONAL COMMITTEES
Regional Map
Continuum Of Care
WHAT IS A CONTINUUM OF CARE?
A Continuum of Care (CoC) is a collaborative effort for planning and funding homeless services. It refers to both HUD’s program and the geographic area it covers, involving service providers, advocates, local government officials, and community members. This Prezi is a great overview of HUD’s CoC program.
For more information on CoCs, please visit the HUD Exchange site.
WHAT IS THE NORTH CAROLINA BALANCE OF STATE CONTINUUM OF CARE?
The NC Balance of State Continuum of Care (NC BoS CoC) was created in 2005 to assist rural communities receive HUD funding. This funding supports homeless populations with permanent supportive housing, rapid re-housing, supportive services, coordinated entry, and HMIS projects, accessed through an annual application. For more information on the CoC application, please visit our webpage for the current CoC Program application.
The NC BoS CoC is one of twelve CoCs in North Carolina, representing 79 out of 100 counties in the state. To learn more, you can review the NC Balance of State CoC 101 Recording. The call provides an overview of the CoC, its role and function, and the responsibilities of its members.
* Audio recording and PowerPoint presentation from the NC Balance of State CoC 101 conference call.
Regional Committees
Because the NC Balance of State CoC is the largest geographic CoC in North Carolina, representing 79 out of 100 counties, it is organized into Regional Committees that coordinate local work and planning. Each Regional Committee is represented by a Regional Lead, who organizes local meetings and sits on the NC Balance of State CoC Steering Committee. You may view the Regional Committees on this map.
Governance & Participation
Governance Charter
The Governance Charter for the NC Balance of State CoC, initially adopted August 6, 2013 and most recently updated November 5, 2024.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Roles and Responsibilities explains the structure, purpose, and responsibilities of the NC BoS CoC and its committees.
NC BoS CoC Policies
Anti-Discrimination Policy
Our organizational policy and training are currently being reviewed and updated to ensure alignment with current federal requirements. Updated materials will be posted once the review process is complete
CoC Grant Significant Change Policy
In August 2017, the Steering Committee passed a policy requiring CoC grantees to receive approval prior to implementing a significant change to their grant. The policy and process for requesting approval are linked below.
Client Bill of Rights
The Client Bill of Rights establishes a standard of services that persons experiencing homelessness can expect to receive, as well as a grievance process for service recipients to utilize when they believe the established rights have been violated. Approved by the Steering Committee in April 2023.
VAWA Emergency Transfer Plan
In accordance with the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), all housing providers in the NC BoS CoC must allow tenants who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to request an emergency transfer from the tenant’s current unit to another unit.
Fair Housing Policies
Agencies providing programs and services within the NC BoS CoC that work with people experiencing or at-risk homelessness including street outreach, emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing programs, coordinated entry staff, property owners and management companies, public housing authorities, and other human service programs helping people experiencing or at risk of homelessness secure permanent housing must adhere to the Fair Housing Policy by:
- Prohibiting housing and housing-related discrimination, in the outreach of potential program participants, referral of program participants to housing, and enrollment of individuals and families in housing programs, including meeting modest accessibility requirements for those with disabilities and ensuring people are housed in the most integrated settings within the NC BoS CoC and
- Using federal funding to transform areas where protected groups have historically been excluded including areas that have historically provided limited economic, cultural, and other opportunities, to become more thriving communities.
NC BoS CoC Program Written Standards
Street Outreach
This document outlines the CoC’s written standard for street outreach. Street outreach programs are designed to engage unsheltered people at non-traditional settings.
Emergency Shelter
This document outlines the CoC’s written standard for emergency shelter. Emergency shelter is any facility whose primary purpose is to provide temporary housing for individuals or families experiencing homelessness for a period of 90 days or less (according to HUD Standards).
Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing
This document outlines the CoC’s written standard for homeless prevention and rapid rehousing. Rapid rehousing provides an immediate permanent housing solution for vulnerable homeless individuals and families by providing short-term or medium-term rental assistance and services.
Transitional Housing
This document outlines the CoC’s written standard for homeless prevention and rapid rehousing. Rapid rehousing provides an immediate permanent housing solution for vulnerable homeless individuals and families by providing short-term or medium-term rental assistance and services.
Permanent Supportive Housing
This document outlines the CoC’s written standard for permanent supportive housing. Permanent supportive housing programs provide safe, stable homes through long-term rental assistance, paired with long-term intensive case management services, to highly vulnerable individuals and families with complex issues who are otherwise at risk of serious health and safety consequences from being homeless (according to HUD’s definition).
Coordinated Entry
This document outlines the CoC’s written standard for coordinated entry. Coordinated entry systems allow CoCs to coordinate program participant intake, assessment, and provision of referrals. The system covers a set geographic area, can be easily accessed by individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness seeking housing and services, is well advertised, and includes a comprehensive and standardized assessment tool.
Letter Of Consistency/
Support
The NC BoS CoC encourages agencies to seek funding through other sources. Letter requests are approved by the NC Balance of State CoC Steering Committee that meets the first Tuesday of each month. To request a letter of support for your grant please complete this form prior to the last Tuesday of the month for consideration at the next Steering Committee meeting.
Rural CoC Information
Rural CoC Guidebook is the HUD guidebook for rural continuums of care.
Critical Success Factors for Rural CoCs is a brief from the National Alliance to End Homelessness describing 5 key elements of success.