3.1 Area-Wide Systems of Coordination Requirements
DHS and all subrecipients must consult with each Continuum of Care to develop:
- Performance standards and outcomes for projects assisted by ESG funds.
- Policies and procedures for administration, funding, and operation of HMIS
Subrecipients requesting ESG funding must demonstrate such collaboration and document that proposed activities will assist the CoC in meeting identified outcomes. All subrecipients must coordinate and integrate, to the maximum extent practicable, ESG-funded activities with other programs targeted to homeless people in the area covered by the CoC or area over which the services are coordinated to provide a strategic, community-wide system to prevent and end homelessness in that area. Subrecipients must document how these and other programs will be used in collaboration with proposed ESG-funded activities.
3.2 Coordinated Entry Systems
Once the CoC has developed a centralized entry system in accordance with requirements to be established by HUD, each ESG-funded program or project within the CoC's jurisdiction must participate in that assessment system. Acceptance of an ESG award means the subrecipient agrees to participate in the coordinated entry system implemented by the local CoC.
All subrecipients must work with the CoC to ensure that screening, assessment, and referral of program participants are consistent with the written standards required in the next section. A victim service subrecipient may choose not to use the CoC's centralized or coordinated assessment system, but the information must still be provided using anonymous data via a secure process.
3.3 Written Standards Requirements
Each CoC must establish and consistently apply written standards for recommended subrecipients providing ESG assistance. Standards must be established for each area covered by the subrecipient, including the area over which the services are coordinated and provided to program participants. Subrecipients are required to submit copies of these standards in their annual funding application.
The CoC must provide recommended subrecipients proper training and orientation to the ESG Program. This orientation should include but not limited to.
- Contact List of CoC members and other Agencies within the CoC
- Coordinated Entry and HMIS Rules and Regulations
- ESG Manual
- CoC Established Written Standards
Minimum Written Program Standards for CoC Representatives and ESG Subrecipients
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CoC-Wide
All ESG Subrecipients MUST abide by them.
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- How are services and referrals coordinated between:
- Emergency Shelter Subrecipients
- Essential Services Subrecipients
- Homelessness Prevention Subrecipients
- Rapid Rehousing Subrecipients
- Homeless Service Subrecipients
- Other Service Subrecipients (including mainstream resources), and
- Housing Subrecipients
- What policies exist to ensure that the needs of special populations are met (i.e. youth, victims of domestic violence, chronically homeless, high barrier participants, etc.)?
- What procedures exist for determining and evaluating eligibility for ESG assistance?
- What formal termination and grievance policies exist? They must reflect HUD's requirement that only the most severe cases be terminated and allowing participants to return to the program once issues that caused the termination are resolved.
- What policies exist that ensure that ALL ESG Subrecipients are screening ALL participants for potential eligibility in not only ESG-funded assistance, but also other housing programs and services offered within the subrecipient or the community (including mainstream resources like TANF and SNAP benefits)?
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| Emergency Shelter Programs |
- In emergency shelters, what policies exist for:
- Admission of participants (requirements for entry, if any)
- Diversion
- Referral to services/mainstream resources
- Length of stay
- Operation of the shelter (hours, staffing, administration, etc.)
- Safety/Disasters, and
- Discharge policies for emergency shelters assisted under the ESG program?
- What safeguards exist to meet the safety and shelter needs of victims of domestic violence, stalking, and other related crimes?
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| Essential Service Programs & Street Outreach |
- What standards exist for assessing, prioritizing, and reassessing individuals' and families' needs for services?
- What targeting and outreach strategies exist for unsheltered persons?
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| Rapid Rehousing and/or Homelessness Prevention Programs |
- What standards exist for determining and prioritizing which eligible families /individuals will receive assistance?
- What standards exist for determining the type, amount, and duration of housing stabilization and/or relocation services?
- Are there any limits on the assistance that each program participant may receive, such as a maximum amount, months, and/or number times of assistance?
- What percentage or amount of rent and utilities costs must each program participant pay when receiving assistance?
- How long can a program participant be provided with rental assistance?
- Is the amount of assistance adjusted over time? How so?
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