Impact of the HEARTH Act on
Metro Denver Homeless Planning
John Parvensky
President
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
HEARTH Act Overview
• Reauthorizes HUD’s McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance programs
• Codifies Continuum of Care Process
• Combines SHP and S+C Programs under
one program with greater flexibility
• Changes Emergency Shelter Program into
Emergency Solutions Program
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HEARTH Act Overview
• New emphasis on…
– Prevention
– Rapid Re-Housing
– Permanent supportive housing
– Other effective strategies to end homelessness
• Focus on CoC “System” level Performance
• Continuum of Care is defined as the group
organized to carry out the responsibilities of
the HEARTH Act.
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The CoC members include:
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Nonprofit homeless providers
Victim service providers
Faith-based organizations
Governments
Advocates
Public housing agencies
School districts
Social service providers
Mental health agencies
Hospitals
Universities
Affordable housing developers
Law enforcement
Organizations serving homeless veterans
Homeless and formerly homeless persons
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CoC Responsibilities
• Hold meetings of full membership of continuum
at least semi-annually
• Invite new members to join the Continuum
• Adopt written process to select a board to act on
behalf of Continuum
• Develop policies and procedures for compliance
with CoC and HMIS requirements
• Establish performance targets, monitor recipient
performance, evaluate outcomes and take
action against poor performers
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CoC Responsibilities
• Evaluate outcomes of ESG and CoC
funded programs
• Establish a centralized or coordinated
assessment system that provides an initial
comprehensive assessment of the needs
of individuals and families for housing and
services
• Establish written standards for providing
and prioritizing CoC assistance
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CoC HMIS Responsibilities
• Designate a single HMIS system for the
Continuum
• Designate an HMIS Lead
• Approve privacy, security and data quality
plans for HMIS
• Ensure consistent participation of
agencies in HMIS
• Ensure HMIS complies with HUD
requirements
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CoC Planning Responsibilities
• Coordinate the implementation of a
housing and service system to meet the
needs of homeless individuals, youth and
families including:
– Outreach and engagement
– Shelter, housing and supportive services
– Prevention strategies
• Conduct Point in Time count biennially
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CoC Planning Responsibilities
• Conduct gaps analysis of homeless needs
and available services
• Provide information required to complete
Consolidated Plans
• Consult with State and local government
ESG recipients on plan for allocating ESG
funds
• Jurisdictions required to coordinate with
CoC in development of HUD Consolidated
Plans
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CoC Funding Process
• Annual Competition through NOFA
• Specific rating criteria that HUD must use in the
competitive process is included in the statute:
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Performance Measures
Planning Process
Priorities
Public and Private Funding
Mainstream Programs
Other Populations
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Performance Measures
• CoC Applicants will be rated in these
community wide areas:
– Length of time individuals and families remain
homeless
– Extent of recurrence of homelessness
– Thoroughness in reaching homeless persons
– Jobs and income growth for homeless persons
– Overall reduction in the number of persons who
become homeless
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Performance Measures
• CoC Plans will be rated in these areas:
– Plan addresses needs of all relevant
subpopulations
– Plan sets quantifiable performance measures
– Plan identifies funding sources and responsible
entities for implementing strategies
– Plan uses outcome data
– Plan incorporates use of mainstream resources
and other funding
– Increased coordination with other federal, state
and local agencies.
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Consolidation of CoC Programs
• Supportive Housing Program and Shelter Plus
Care Programs combined into one program
• More flexibility for mixing and matching eligible
activities:
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New Construction, Acquisition and Rehab
Rental Assistance and Leasing
Operating Costs
Supportive Services
HMIS
Administrative Costs
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Program Components
• Permanent Housing
– Permanent Supportive Housing
– Rapid Re-Housing
• Up to 24 months of tenant based rental assistance
with supportive services
• Transitional Housing (up to 24 months)
• Supportive Services Only
• HMIs
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Emergency Solutions Grants
• Old Emergency Shelter Grant program
changed to Emergency Solutions Grants
• Adds Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing
as eligible activities (at least 40% of funds)
• States and Jurisdictions receiving ESG
funds are required to coordinate with the
Continuum of Care in award of ESG funds
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Next Steps
• Super NOFA expected in October 2012
• Funding for Fiscal Year same as last year
• Increased competition for same level of
funds
• 1.25% of Funds available for CoC
Planning
• MDHI needs your help to make Continuum
effective and successful
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