Fiscal Year 2013 and Fiscal Year 2014 Continuum of Care Program Competition | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Fiscal Year 2013 and Fiscal Year 2014 Continuum of Care (CoC) Program Competition?

This is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant opportunity that funds community-driven strategies to prevent and end homelessness. It is organized as a competitive CoC Program Competition and is designed to support coordinated local approaches rather than fragmented services.

What approach does the CoC Program Competition require communities to use?

The program is built around a Continuum of Care approach, meaning communities coordinate local providers, governments, and systems of care so services are not fragmented and people experiencing homelessness can access a coordinated set of supports.

What are the core goals of this CoC Program Competition?

The goals described for this competition include: accelerating re-housing for people experiencing homelessness; reducing the disruption and harm caused by homelessness; connecting people to mainstream benefits and services they are eligible for; and supporting longer-term stability and self-sufficiency.

How much funding was available for FY 2013?

For FY 2013, HUD set aside roughly $1.7 billion for the CoC Program Competition after the total was reduced due to sequestration.

Did HUD expect FY 2013 funds to cover renewals for every eligible existing project?

No. HUD explicitly noted that the FY 2013 amount was expected to fall short of what would be needed to renew every eligible existing project, indicating a more competitive renewal environment where not all renewals could be assumed to be funded.

Could the available FY 2013 funding amount increase after publication?

Yes. HUD indicated it could increase the available amount by adding funds carried over or recaptured from prior years, which can occur when prior awards are reduced, canceled, or otherwise returned.

Why did this NOFA cover both FY 2013 and FY 2014?

HUD structured the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to cover both fiscal years for administrative efficiency, while noting an important caveat that FY 2014 funding levels had not yet been determined at the time of publication.

Were FY 2014 funding levels known when the NOFA was published?

No. At the time of publication, FY 2014 funding levels were not yet determined.

What appropriations situation affected FY 2014 funding certainty?

The Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014 (Public Law 113-46, approved October 17, 2013) temporarily funded HUD at FY 2013 levels only through January 15, 2014, creating uncertainty about final FY 2014 funding amounts at the time.

How did HUD plan to communicate the final FY 2014 CoC funding amount and any FY 2014-specific requirements?

HUD planned to announce the final FY 2014 CoC funding amount later through a separate notice. That later notice would also include any additional deadlines and submission requirements tied specifically to FY 2014.

How do applicants apply for this CoC Program Competition?

Applicants were required to apply through the CoC Consolidated Application process, which is submitted on behalf of an entire Continuum of Care rather than as isolated, stand-alone proposals.

Is the application submitted by individual projects, or by the Continuum of Care as a whole?

The Consolidated Application is submitted on behalf of an entire Continuum of Care. It includes multiple components, including the CoC-level submission and the associated project applications that were accepted and ranked locally (or rejected).

Who submits the CoC Consolidated Application to HUD?

Each CoC had to designate a single Collaborative Applicant during the FY 2013 CoC Registration process, and HUD required that the same approved entity submit the full CoC Consolidated Application in e-snaps (HUD's electronic grants system).

What is e-snaps in this competition?

e-snaps is HUD's electronic grants system through which the Collaborative Applicant submits the full CoC Consolidated Application.

Can a Collaborative Applicant submit the Consolidated Application without an approved CoC registration?

No. HUD emphasized that the Collaborative Applicant could not access or submit the Consolidated Application unless the CoC had an approved registration.

Can a CoC change its designated Collaborative Applicant during the competition?

HUD discouraged changes to the designated Collaborative Applicant during the competition without prior HUD approval.

What does the CoC Consolidated Application package include?

The package includes the CoC Application, Priority Listings showing which project applications were accepted and ranked (or rejected) in the local competition, and the individual project applications themselves.

What type of grant opportunity is this?

This was listed as a discretionary grant opportunity under the community development and housing category.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 14.267 (Continuum of Care Program).

Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?

Yes. The posting notes a cost sharing or matching requirement.

What is the opportunity number for this NOFA?

The opportunity number is FR-5700-N-31B.

When was this opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?

It was posted on November 22, 2013, with a closing date of February 3, 2014, and it was archived on February 4, 2014.

Who was listed as eligible to apply?

The listing notes "small businesses" under eligible applicants. However, the program description indicates funding is aimed at efforts carried out by nonprofit providers, states, and local governments, consistent with how CoC funds are typically implemented through community partnerships coordinated by the CoC.

Where should applicants go for official guidance and competition resources?

HUD directed applicants to CoC Program Competition resources for support and official guidance.

Who should applicants contact with questions about program requirements?

HUD stated that questions about program requirements should be routed to the local HUD Community Planning and Development (CPD) Field Office, using HUD's field office directory.