The Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009 (HEARTH Act), enacted into law on May 20, 2009, consolidated the homeless assistance programs administered by HUD under the McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance Act into a single grant program, and revises the Emergency Shelter Grants program and renames it the Emergency Solutions Grants program. The HEARTH Act also codifies into law the Continuum of Care (CoC)
planning process, a longstanding part of HUD’s application process to assist homeless persons by providing greater community-wide coordination, decision-making, and leadership.
The Continuum of Care (CoC) Board is the group organized to carry out the responsibilities prescribed in the CoC Program Interim Rule. CoC governance responsibilities include:
- Planning for the CoC, Operating the CoC, and ensuring compliance with HUD requirements and regulations
- Coordinating the implementation of a housing and service system that meets the needs of the individuals and families who experience homelessness, including prevention and diversion strategies, outreach and engagement, coordinated assessment/entry, and exit, crisis shelter, emergency shelter, temporary housing, permanent housing, and supportive services
- Designing and implementing the process associated with applying for HUD CoC Program funds The Governance Charter outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Dos Rios Continuum of Care Board, Continuum of Care Committee(s), the Lead Agency/Collaborative Applicant and the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Lead. This Governance Charter was developed by the Continuum of Care and HMIS lead agency in consultation with homeless housing and service providers in the CoC geography and other CoC governance body members through a committee and feedback process.
