What is a CoC?
Continuum of Care (CoC) Program
A Continuum of Care (CoC) is a regional planning and coordination body designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to organize communitywide efforts to prevent and end homelessness. CoCs operate in all 50 states and six U.S. territories, each responsible for building a coordinated, data-driven homelessness response system.
CoCs are made up of a diverse set of partners, including civic groups, educational institutions, faith-based organizations, healthcare and behavioral health providers, housing developers, local government, nonprofit agencies, and individuals with lived experience of homelessness. Together, these partners align resources, coordinate services, and establish local strategies grounded in evidence-based and emerging best practices.
CoCs are responsible for:
Coordinating the regional homelessness response system
Implementing and monitoring evidence-based practices
Operating a Coordinated Entry system to ensure equitable access to housing resources
Conducting systemwide needs assessments and performance evaluations
Setting local priorities for federal homeless assistance funding
Submitting an annual competitive application to HUD on behalf of the region
New Hampshire is divided into three Continuums of Care, each serving a distinct geographic area:
Manchester CoC (NH-501): Serves the City of Manchester.
Greater Nashua CoC (NH-502): Covers the City of Nashua and surrounding communities in Hillsborough County.
Balance of State CoC (NH-500): Serves all other regions across New Hampshire outside of Manchester and Nashua.
Collectively, New Hampshire’s CoCs receive approximately $12 million annually through HUD’s CoC Program to fund permanent housing, supportive services, data systems, and key system coordination activities.
For more information, visit HUD’s CoC Program page: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/coc/
