SYF25 Homeless Solutions Program (HSP)
Notice of Funding Opportunity - Request for Proposals
Release Date: Monday, April 8, 2024
Due Date: Wednesday, May 1, 2024 by 5 p.m.
All applications submitted must pass the threshold review process in order to be considered for funding:
- Timely submission
- Completed Application
- Coversheet
- Budget
- Agency Documents
- Job Descriptions
- Articles of Incorporation/Bylaws
- Proof of Good Standing
- Board of Directors
- Organizational Chart
- Most Recent Fiscal Audit
- W-9
To submit your application or if you have any additional questions, please contact coc@howardcountymd.gov
Notice: Homelessness Solutions Program (HSP) funding is available for the purpose of preventing, reducing, and ending homelessness within local jurisdictions. However, the final awards are dependent upon the decision of Congress and the Maryland General Assembly.
About the Continuum of Care
The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program is designed to promote communitywide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, and State and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless individuals, families, and communities by homelessness; promote access to and effect utilization of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families; and optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
The Purpose and Activities of the CoC:
- Promote community-wide goals to end homelessness;
- Provide funding to quickly rehouse homeless persons;
- Promote access to mainstream resources; and
- Improve self-sufficiency among people experiencing homelessness.
Responsibilities of the CoC:
- System Governance and Structure
- System Operations and Planning
- Designating and Operating a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
- Designing a Coordinated Entry System
Programs Available through the CoC:
- Assessment and Referral for Service
- Street Outreach
- Emergency Shelter
- Rapid Rehousing
- Cold Weather Shelter
- Permanent Supportive Housing
Coalition to End Homelessness
The Coalition to End Homelessness (“the Coalition”) harnesses all of its resources toward “making homelessness rare, brief and a one-time experience.” The Coalition is broadly but representative of public and private homeless service sectors. All interested Agency/Organizations and individuals, including persons who are currently or formally homeless, are invited to join the Coalition’s General Membership. An application is required and there are no costs associated with membership. See the charter below for more details on how to join.
Please send any questions on joining the Howard County Coalition to End Homelessness, its Governance Board or committees, to: CoC@howardcountymd.gov.
Coalition to End Homelessness Governance Charter
Mailing Address:
Catherine Wellman, CoC Manager
Coalition to End Homelessness - Continuum of Care Program
Office of Community Partnerships
Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services
9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046
The Coalition to End Homelessness Board
HUD Continuum of Care Competition 2023
Information about the 2023 funding process and related documents are listed below:
Howard County CoC Technical Meeting slide deck
Howard County CoC made the following funding available through the 2023 local competition
New Permanent Supportive Housing Projects
Total Funding Available: $121,425 plus 10 housing vouchers.
The 10 housing vouchers are fully funded through the public housing authority, meaning $121,425 is available for supportive services and/or additional vouchers.
New Domestic Violence Rapid Rehousing Projects
Total Funding Available: $50,000
Important Documents
Howard County CoC Competition NOFO RFP 2023
Howard County CoC Preview Renewal Application
Howard County CoC Preview New Project Application
Howard County CoC Rank and Selection Policy 2023
Howard County CoC Reallocation Policy 2023
Howard County CoC Scorecard for Renewals
Howard County CoC Scorecard for New Projects
Important Deadlines for the Local Competition
- July 28, 2023: Renewal applicants wishing to voluntarily reallocate all or partial funding must notify the CoC.
- August 2, 2023: The CoC will notify potential applicants of any additional funding available through reallocation.
- August 11, 2023: Letters of Intent must be submitted to CoC by 5pm.
- August 29, 2023 5:00 pm: Applications are due including all supporting documents.
- September 8, 2023: Project applicants will be notified of approval and ranking.
- September 28, 2023: The CoC consolidated applicants and all project applications must be submitted to HUD.
Letters of Intent and Applications were submitted to CoC@howardcountymd.gov
HUD (Continuum of Care) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Community Technical Assistance Session
The Office of Community Partnerships and the Howard County Continuum of Care hosted a technical assistance session on July 26, 2023. The session was for any organizations that receive HUD CoC grant funding, or were interested in the possibilities of applying for CoC grant funding, now or in the future. The virtual training provided an overview of the NOFO application process, timeline, and expectations. Click to view slides of the presentation.
HUD (Continuum of Care) 2023 Initial Project Application Ranking
Final CoC Collaborative Application
Final Project List & Ranking
The Path Home - 2022 Progress Report
The Path Home
The Office of Community Partnerships worked with the Howard County Coalition to End Homelessness to update and further the work of the 2010 Plan. The title of the new plan, The Path Home, refers to the Coalition’s goals to strengthen the Coordinated Entry System – the path – to allow clients to return to stable, sustainable housing. It is a five-year strategic plan to end homelessness in Howard County, and will be implemented by the Coalition through annual action plans to ensure that homelessness is rare, brief and nonrecurring. “The Path Home” has been developed in partnership with the Coalition to End Homelessness Board (CoC) with input from: the State of Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development, The National Alliance to End Homelessness, various Howard County Departments and Offices, and the community-wide Coalition to End Homelessness.
NEW The Path Home - 2022 Progress Report
If you have questions related to The Path Home, please contact: The Office of Community Partnerships at 410-313-6400 (voice/relay)
National Alliance to End Homelessness Assessment
The DCRS Office of Community Partnerships contracted the National Alliance to End Homelessness to conduct an assessment and analysis of our homeless response system and provide actionable recommendations for system improvements. The assessment was requested to address the lack of system flow in our current homeless response system. Recommendations from this assessment will be used to support the implementation of the county’s updated plan to end homelessness, The Path Home.
Continuum of Care (CoC) Library
- Home Together-Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness
- Homelessness in America - Focus on Veterans
- Homelessness in America - Focus on Families with Children
- Homelessness in America - Focus on Chronic Homelessness Among People with Disabilities
- Housing First Fact Sheet
- Housing Focused Sheltering
- Rapid Re-Housing Summit Summary
- Howard County Glossary of Commonly Used Homeless Services Terms
- Howard County 2015 CoC Community Survey
- Maryland's 100-Day Housing Challenge
- Rapid Re-Housing Works: What the Evidence Says