Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care News
April 2019
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Texas Homeless Network is the lead agency for the
Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care (TX BoS CoC)
. The TX BoS CoC is a group of stakeholders that collaboratively plan and operate the CoC and a range of housing and services to prevent and end homelessness. The TX BoS CoC covers
215 counties
and includes 24 Local Homeless Coalitions (LHCs) that plan, deliver, and evaluate local systems.
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Texas Homeless Network has 2 project spaces for organizations and communities looking to expand their capacity and build new programming! If your organization has a project they need to start and could benefit from a full-time volunteer helping for 1-3 years for just $6,000, please contact Meagan Moore at 512-861-2124 or
meagan@thn.org
.
We are also recruiting potential VISTA members throughout the state if you know someone who may be interested.
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Winter is Coming: CoC Program Competition
The Grant Inventory Worksheet (GIW) was released on Monday, April 8
th
; it was due yesterday, Wednesday, April 17
th
. The GIW is an intermediary step in the CoC Program application process that the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) uses to establish a CoC's Annual Renewal Demand (ARD). Renewal Projects are asked to confirm budget line items (BLI) and unit configurations or to reconcile with HUD records.
The final verification of Registration was also released last week, on Thursday, April 11
th
. This and the release of the GIW are the two steps before the release of the CoC Program Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). We anticipate that the NOFA will be released sometime in May, according to HUD’s Special Needs Assistance Programs Office’s proposed timeline.
If your Agency is on the fence about applying for CoC Program Funding or has questions about the project design, please reach out to
txboscoc@thn.org
. We also have two webinars to prepare potential New Project Applicants for applying for assistance. More information about both webinars can be found in the “Important Dates” section of this newsletter.
Once the CoC Program NOFA is released, THN cannot provide robust Technical Assistance.
Act now!
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NEW Technical Assistance Request Form
Have you ever wondered how to request technical assistance from TX BoS CoC Lead Agency Staff? There is no need to wonder now! We have a brand new Technical Assistance Request Form:
http://bit.ly/2UPGLhj
.
Please use this form if you'd like us to do on-site technical assistance or to develop materials. A team member will follow up to you within three business days of submission.
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2019 PIT Count Reports
The 2019 PIT Count Reports are posted on the THN website. You can find them in the “2019 Community Reports by Area” section under "Point in Time (PIT) Count Reports" under under the Data tab on the home screen.
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Please email Kyra Henderson at
kyra@thn.org
if you have any questions.
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Using 811 Mainstream Vouchers to House Chronically Homeless People
In the coming months, HUD is expected to issue a NOFA for as much as $300 million in new “Mainstream” housing vouchers for non-elderly people with disabilities. We’ll share more information once the NOFA drops either in the TX BoS CoC Newsletter or via a separate funding announcement.
In the meantime, check out last year’s NOFA to get an idea of what HUD may require for this NOFA:
http://bit.ly/2V7jmHZ. You can also
join the
National Alliance to End Homelessness
on May 2 for a webinar to discuss strategies for supporting your PHA on their applications for these funds. Two communities awarded vouchers during the last round will provide insight into how they were able to leverage partnerships with their respective PHAs.
Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) that apply will be incentivized to work with community agencies, especially those that assist people with disabilities who are transitioning out of institutional or other segregated settings, at risk of institutionalization, are homeless, or are at risk of becoming homeless.
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CONNECT Program
While the description on the websites mentions nonprofits in Central Texas, Sophia spoke with the Program Director who said as long a nonprofit is willing to allow remote work they would consider nonprofits throughout Texas.
Non-profits are asked to contribute what they can to cover the stipend for students. The stipend is calculated at $15 per hour times the number of hours per week times the duration of the project, e.g., $15 per hour times 20 hours per week times 12 weeks is $3,600. Some non-profits cover all of the stipend. Some provide 25% of the total stipend. Some don't cover anything.
Go
here
for more information about this exciting opportunity for non-profit capacity building.
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Department of Veteran Affairs Notice of Funding Availability: Grant and Per Diem Program
VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) program is offering funding for a case management grant to support housing retention for formerly homeless veterans and veterans at risk for homelessness who exited programs such as GPD transitional housing or Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) residential contract services.
Who is eligible to apply?
- 501(c)3 or 501(c)19 non-profit agency
- State or Local Government
- Indian Tribal Government
The VA expects to award 133 Case Management Positions with this Notice of Funding Availability! Only one Case Management Position per VAMC Catchment Area in the Balance of State will be awarded.
To find our more visit their
website
.
The deadline to apply is
May 20th at 4:PM EST
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Call for Applications to the Local Housing Solutions Institute
The Local Housing Solutions Institute is a five-day intensive program of seminars, strategic consultation, and team building designed to help a select group of four to six cities and counties better address the affordability and other local housing challenges created by high or rising housing costs. The Institute will take place September 16-20 at the West Creek Ranch in Montana. There is no cost to participants for lodging, food, and programming. Cities and counties are eligible.
Participating localities will be selected through a competitive process. To help them refine and strengthen their local housing strategies, each city or county will be required to come with a delegation of three to six senior officials holding leadership positions in the key agencies and organizations that need to work together to successfully achieve the locality’s housing goals. The participants will share their knowledge and experience; learn from and get feedback on their housing strategies from officials in other participating localities, Local Housing Solutions faculty, and outside experts; and build lasting relationships that lay the groundwork for future collaboration and continued learning.
This inaugural Institute will focus on bringing together cities and counties with populations of at least 200,000 that are facing high or rapidly rising housing prices. Participants must have an interest in developing or refining a comprehensive local housing strategy and a commitment among key city or county agencies to work collaboratively toward the development and implementation of this strategy. Participants should also be open to new ideas and ways of working together.
You can find more information
here
.
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Bombas Giving Program
Bombas works with shelters, nonprofits, and organizations dedicated to helping the homeless, in-need, and at-risk communities. We donate specially designed socks to organizations who can get our products to those who need them most. If your organization is interested in distributing Bombas Donation Socks, sign up to become a Giving Partner.
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North Texas
East Texas
South Texas
West Texas
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These articles were gathered from Google Alerts and emails sent directly to us. If you have articles about your community's efforts to prevent and end homelessness that you want highlighted in our next newsletter, please email the articles to
txboscoc@thn.org.
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The following are resources TX BoS CoC Lead Agency staff have found that we believe would be beneficial to your local efforts to make homelessness rare, brief, and one-time:
What Housing First Really Means
"The Housing First approach is the polar opposite of a one-size-fits-all approach." Describing Housing First this way captures the essence of client-centered and strengths-based service delivery. Read more about
"What Housing First Really Means"
in a blog post by Ben Cattell Noll with the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH). Also in the post: "USICH recently issued
a “resource roundup” of some of the best articles, videos and tools
to help communities understand and implement the Housing First model. It is a great place for anyone to start to gain an understanding of the principles and practice of the approach."
How Trauma And Homelessness Are Linked
Homelessness itself is a traumatic experience. Often, a traumatic experience or series of traumatic experiences led to a person becoming homeless. It is important to understand the link between trauma and homelessness if we are to meet people where they are.
Analysis of President Trump’s FY2020 Budget Request
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APRIL
Safety Nets for Students and Families: Schools and Communities Working Together to Increase Identification of Students in Homeless Situations
Schools may not always identify students as homeless who are living in doubled-up and substandard housing situations. As a result, these students may lose access to many rights and services. In this session, participants will receive tools to help them recognize homelessness when it is not obvious. Service providers and school personnel will work together to develop streamlined systems to ensure that homeless students are accurately and promptly identified and referred for services.
Thursday, 4/18/2019
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Lunch from 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Beaumont
Thursday, 4/25/2019
12:00 - 3:00 PM
Lunch from 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Victoria
Wednesday, 5/8/2019
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Lunch from 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Port Arthur
Thursday, 5/9/2019
12:00 - 3:00 PM
Lunch from 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Corpus Christi
So You Want to Receive CoC Program Funding...
Applying for Continuum of Care Program Funding can be a difficult process, especially if you are applying for the first time. THN, the Continuum of Care Lead Agency, will demystify the process and prepare potential new project applicants for applying for funding this year. During this webinar, new applicants will learn the basics of applying for Continuum of Care Program Funding.
Tuesday, 4/23/2019
1:30 - 3:00 PM
New Project Applicants: Developing a Strong Project to Serve People Experiencing Homelessness
THN, as the Lead Agency for the Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care, is hosting an additional webinar for potential new project applicants for Continuum of Care (CoC) Program funding. During this webinar, CoC Lead Agency Staff will provide guidance for establishing strong projects and provide tips for submitting strong applications to ensure you are competitive for CoC Program funding. Disclaimer: CoC Program funding is awarded through a competitive process. Attending this webinar does not guarantee that you will be awarded Continuum of Care Program funding.
Tuesday, 4/30/2019
1:30 - 3:00 PM
MAY
Using 811 Mainstream Vouchers to House Chronically Homeless People
Thursday, 5/2/2019
May 2019 CoC General Meeting
Topic: Permanent Housing-Permanent Supportive Housing (PH-PSH)
Wednesday, 5/8/2019
2:00 - 4:00 PM
Safety Nets for Students and Families: Strengthening School and Community Collaboration
This networking session builds new collaborations and strengthens existing collaborations between school districts and community service providers. Participants will leave the session with at least one new or enhanced collaborative activity. The session is designed for homeless education liaisons, school social workers, Communities in Schools staff, and community/faith-based social services providers
Thursday, 5/9/2019
9:00 - 11:00 AM
Corpus Christi
Coordinated Entry Unplugged
Topic: Diversion: How can a diversion plan or conversation be helpful in your community?
Tuesday, 5/14/2019
10:00 - 11:00 AM
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Anyone who works or lives in the CoC's geographic area, and all housing and homeless services projects in the CoC's geographic area, are considered to be members of the CoC. The CoC has an open invitation process, so members may join at any time.
Share this email with anyone you think may be interested!
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CoC General Meeting Schedule
Stay informed about CoC happenings by participating in the monthly webinars. Each meeting will feature a topic that is important to preventing and ending homelessness. See the
schedule for dates, topics, and registration links.
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CoC Program Funding
If you are a representative of an agency that is interested in applying for United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care (CoC) Program funding, please contact
txboscoc@thn.org
.
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Your CoC Team
We look like the Brady Bunch when all our video cameras are turned on during CoC General Meeting webinars. Join us on the second Tuesday of every month!
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The TX BoS CoC is a focus area of the Texas Homeless Network.
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See what's happening on our social sites
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