It is critical that all members of the Continuum understand what drives our work and how their efforts influence and contribute to the CoC. This is the second email in a five part series, breaking down each element of the CoC Implementation Structure. View previous emails in the series here.

In 2019, the Continuum of Care adopted the Implementation Structure (IS), formerly known as the Action Agenda, to enact the strategic vision of the CoC. The IS fosters collaboration and communication while allowing the community to engage in targeted decision-making. This email will focus on Affinity Groups and Lead Agency work.

Affinity Groups are one of the key components of the 2021 CoC Implementation Structure as they work together to address shared needs and concerns within the CoC and help identify burgeoning needs in the community. Affinity Groups address priority areas, engage stakeholders, pilot system refinements, and highlight the need for population specific services.

Affinity Groups
Affinity Groups work in partnership with the CoC to accomplish the system goals. They are staffed by community members or stakeholders and have an All Chicago liaison to ensure their visibility throughout the CoC and to connect them with communication resources. Affinity Groups are not staffed by All Chicago so community members can coordinate all aspects of the group. Forming an Affinity Group can:
  • provide an opportunity to voice concerns about specific issues or passions that can shape the work of the entire system;
  • inspire, give purpose, and connect individual efforts to a larger, collective strategy;
  • influence CoC IS strategy sessions, allowing the continuum to set goals that align with community needs; and
  • improve visibility throughout the CoC, leading to connections with Lines of Action (LOAs), workgroups, and leadership teams.

To be considered part of the CoC Implementation Structure, Affinity Groups must register with the CoC Lead Agency (All Chicago). Find more information and register an Affinity Group on All Chicago's website.
Lead Agencies
Lead agencies carry out official duties on behalf of the CoC to support Chicago’s relationship with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This work is governed by Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the CoC Board of Directors. The MOUs outline the roles, responsibilities, and accountability structures for each lead agency, and are approved by the full CoC membership. A separate MOU covers each of the following areas:

Lead agencies are selected and affirmed by the CoC to lead and drive the work outlined in the MOUs that speed progress in preventing and ending homelessness. Most lead agency responsibilities are completed by the designated lead agency or subcontracted partners. The lead agency may hold input sessions to help inform implementation decisions, but the lead agency is ultimately responsible for determining the course of action.

Stay tuned for the next email in this series which will cover the Lived Experience Commission (LEC), Participation in the CoC, and Meeting Norms. In the meantime read more about the CoC IS in the Community Guide, and look for an invitation to the final Community Conversation on Decision Making, Power, and Influence within the CoC IS which will take place the week of October 11.