What is Continuum of Care?
Homelessness is a complex challenge—but when communities work together, real solutions emerge. The Continuum of Care (CoC) is a coordinated, strategic approach to ensuring that individuals and families facing homelessness have access to the full range of housing and support they need.
Since 1994, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has encouraged communities to take a comprehensive approach to homelessness, leading to the creation of the CoC model. In 2009, the HEARTH Act made this process a legal cornerstone in the fight to end homelessness.
How Does it Work?
The Housing & Homeless Coalition of Central New York (HHC CNY) serves as the Continuum of Care Lead, guiding planning, coordination, and funding efforts across the region. In partnership with the United Way of Central New York, which serves as the Collaborative Applicant, we work to secure essential funding and resources to support emergency, transitional, and permanent housing solutions.
Building a Future Without Homelessness
What started as individual county efforts has grown into a regional movement.
- 2015: The Syracuse/Onondaga County CoC and the Oswego County CoC merged.
- 2016: Auburn/Cayuga County CoC joined, expanding our impact even further.
By working together, we create stronger, more effective systems to prevent and end homelessness across Central New York.
Building a Future Without Homelessness
As the CoC Lead, HHC CNY is responsible for:
✔ Operating and managing the CoC to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
✔ Developing a strategic plan that drives real progress toward ending homelessness.
✔ Coordinating the HUD CoC Program Competition, securing critical funding to support our mission.
Homelessness isn’t solved in isolation. Through collaboration, funding, and
strategic planning, we’re building a future where everyone in Central New
York has a safe, stable place to call home.