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Continuum of Care (CoC) Homeless Assistance Program (FY 2009) - FAQs

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This was the FY 2009 Continuum of Care (CoC) Homeless Assistance Program competitive grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It was designed to fund community-wide efforts to reduce homelessness through projects that help people experiencing homelessness move toward self-sufficiency and, most importantly, stable permanent housing.

2) Which federal agency offered this grant?

The grant opportunity was offered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

3) What was the overall purpose of the FY 2009 CoC Homeless Assistance Program competition?

The aim was to help Continuum of Care communities reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness by supporting projects that transition homeless individuals and families toward stability and permanent housing.

4) How much funding did HUD make available nationwide?

HUD made about $1.43 billion available nationwide under this FY 2009 competitive opportunity.

5) What type of grant listing was this (category and instrument)?

The opportunity was listed as a discretionary grant under the Community Development/Housing activity category, using a grant funding instrument.

6) What was the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) used for?

The NOFA laid out the scoring rules and funding criteria for the Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Grant Programs. Applicants were expected to follow the NOFA to understand how applications would be evaluated and what requirements applied.

7) Was there a technical correction to the FY 2009 NOFA?

Yes. HUD issued a technical correction on October 26, 2009 and posted it on the HUD Homelessness Resource Exchange (HRE) site.

8) Where was the technical correction posted?

HUD posted the technical correction on the HUD Homelessness Resource Exchange (HRE) website.

9) What is the document identifier for the technical correction?

Applicants were directed to consult the technical correction document identified as FR 5341 C 01.

10) Why was the technical correction important for applicants?

The technical correction did more than clarify language. It also included time-sensitive adjustments that affected submission, so applicants needed to review it to ensure they were following the updated requirements and deadlines.

11) Did HUD provide a way to quickly see what changed in the NOFA?

Yes. HUD provided a redline version of the NOFA showing every change in red so applicants could quickly identify modifications.

12) What was the original posting date of the opportunity?

The original posting date was September 25, 2009.

13) When was the technical correction record created?

The technical correction record was created on October 26, 2009.

14) What was the original application deadline?

The original application deadline was November 9, 2009.

15) Was the application deadline extended?

Yes. The deadline was extended to November 25, 2009.

16) What was the application submission cutoff time?

The submission cutoff time was changed to 2:00 PM Eastern Time.

17) When was the opportunity archived/closed?

The listing noted an archive date of November 28, 2009, reflecting when the opportunity was formally closed out for active competition.

18) Was there a single universal eligibility standard for this opportunity?

No. Eligibility was not described as a single universal standard because the CoC Homeless Assistance Programs covered three separate programs under the CoC umbrella, each with its own eligible applicant types.

19) Where could applicants find the eligible applicant types for each program?

Applicants were instructed to review the program summary chart in Section III.A.1 of the NOFA, which specified who could apply under each program.

20) Were there additional overarching HUD requirements that applied to this competition?

Yes. The notice pointed applicants to the General Section of HUD's FY 2009 NOFAs (published December 29, 2008) for overarching requirements that applied across HUD competitions that year.

21) Were matching funds required?

Yes. A key condition of this funding was that matching funds were required.

22) What sources could be used for the match?

The match could come from local, state, federal sources (when allowable), or private resources. Applicants needed to demonstrate committed non-HUD support as part of their overall project financing.

23) Where in the NOFA or related guidance could applicants find the detailed match requirement?

The NOFA referenced the detailed match requirement in Section I.A.4.u and related guidance in the FY 2009 General Section.

24) What did the match requirement mean for applicants in practice?

Applicants needed to propose eligible activities and meet performance and compliance expectations, and they also needed to document that they could leverage other funds to carry out the project and satisfy HUD's cost-sharing rules.

25) Where did HUD direct applicants to access application materials and updates?

HUD directed applicants to the HUD Homelessness Resource Exchange (HRE) for application access and updates.

26) How were applications submitted for this competition?

The HRE site provided links to the CoC application within e-snaps, HUD's electronic grants submission system used for CoC competitions.

27) Who was the contact for technical difficulty in accessing the announcement?

The contact listed was Ann Oliva, Director of the Office of Special Needs Assistance, at 202-708-4300.

28) What was the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number associated with the announcement was FR 5341 N 01.

29) What was the title of the announcement?

The title was "Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program."

30) Which document should applicants rely on if there is a question about updated submission requirements?

Applicants were directed to consult the technical correction document (FR 5341 C 01) because it included clarifications and time-sensitive adjustments that affected submission.