What is the Vermont Balance of State Continuum of Care?
Vermont has two Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-recognized Continua of Care (CoC) that apply for federal homeless funding for their corresponding geographic areas: the Chittenden County Homeless Alliance (CCHA) which covers Chittenden County and the Vermont Balance of State CoC that encompasses the other 11 counties in Vermont. The Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness is the planning and governing body for the Vermont Balance of State Continuum of Care (VT BoS CoC), which is a board made up of a broad group of stakeholders including service & resource providers, housing developers, state agencies, and others in the homelessness or low-income service system from around the state.
What is a Local Continuum of Care (CoC)?
Each region in Vermont also has a local groups focused on regional homelessness prevention and intervention efforts. These groups were formerly called Local CoCs and are now referred to as Local Housing Coalitions.
What is a Continuum of Care (CoC) and what does it do?
A CoC consists of a partnership of service & resource providers, housing developers, state agencies, and others in the homelessness or low-income service system in a geographic region. CoCs monitor and address housing and service gaps through proactive solutions; conduct an annual Point in Time Count of those experiencing homelessness; manage the Coordinated Entry and HMIS system; and apply for and manage annual funding from the US Department of Housing & Urban Development.
The Continuum of Care is a community plan to organize and deliver housing and services to meet the specific needs of people who are homeless as they move to stable housing and maximum self-sufficiency. It includes action steps to end homelessness and prevent a return to homelessness.
All interested parties are welcome and invited to join the Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness in our work through general membership, committees, and work-groups!
Vermont Balance of State Continua of Care Introduction Resources
Vermont’s Continua of Care System One-Pager
Vermont’s Continua of Care System, An In-Depth Guide
VCEH Vermont Continuum of Care Online Training Module