The Continuum of Care

The Continuum of Care is a planning process that is required of a community or region in order to receive funds for homeless services under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Due to the changing requirements of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, this process has become a year-round effort and includes a twelve-month planning cycle. The process includes a detailed description of the various planning activities including meeting dates, agenda, participants, items reviewed, decisions made and how the participants in the planning process reflect the various geographical and sub-populations served. It also requires needs assessments, service inventory and a functioning Homeless Management Information System. In addition, information from this process is also needed for our community’s completion of its Consolidated Plan. In order to effectively complete this effort it is necessary to commit significant staff time resources and energies. Unfortunately, McKinney-Vento Grant funds may not be used for planning efforts. During the last eight years, the Chattanooga Homeless Coalition has served as the agency that carried out the planning process and prepared the Continuum document. In 2007 the Continuum of Care was awarded $1,061,656.00. Since 1998 the Continuum has brought in $11,089,047.00 into our Southeast TN region.

Hamilton County agencies that either currently receive or have received McKinney-Vento Act funds through the Continuum of Care process include:

  • Partnership for Families
  • Children and Adults
  • CADAS
  • Fortwood Center
  • SETHRA
  • City of Chattanooga
  • Chattanooga Housing Authority
  • Chattanooga Church Ministries (Community Kitchen)
  • Chattanooga Room in the Inn
  • Chattanooga CARES and the Homeless Coalition.

Programs currently receiving McKinney Act funds are:

  • Family Way
  • Oasis Transitional Housing
  • Mitchell Homes
  • SAFAH
  • Help II
  • New Vision/The Partnership Permanent Housing Program
  • City of Chattanooga Shelter Plus Care
  • Community Voice Mail
  • Centralized Computer-based Case Management System.

For more information on how to apply for Continuum of Care funds please contact Karen McReynolds- Blevins at 423-752-4807 or email kblevins@homelesscoalition.org or you may visit www.hud.gov