Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) Unless exempted by federal rules, all ESG-funded activities shall utilize a Coordinated Entry system established by and consistent with the protocols of the Continuum of Care for the Service Area in which that program operates. Participation in Coordinated Entry shall occur in a manner that promotes the following, as reflected in the Continuum of Care Written Standards:
(1) Comprehensive and coordinated access to assistance regardless of where an individual or family is located in the Continuum of Care Service Area. Local systems should be easy to navigate and have protocols in place to ensure immediate access to assistance for people who are homeless or most at-risk;
(2) Prioritized access to assistance for people with the most urgent and severe needs, including, but not limited to, survivors of domestic violence. ESG-funded activities shall seek to prioritize people who:
(A) Are unsheltered and living in places not designed for human habitation, such as cars, parks, bus stations, and abandoned buildings;
(B) Have experienced the longest amount of time homeless;
(C) Have multiple and severe service needs that inhibit their ability to quickly identify and secure housing on their own; and
(D) For Homelessness prevention activities, people who are at greatest risk of becoming literally homeless without an intervention and are at greatest risk of experiencing a longer time in shelter or on the street should they become homeless.
(b) All ESG-assisted projects shall operate in a manner consistent with housing first practices as reflected in the Continuum of Care Written Standards, (consistent with subsections (1) through (5) below), and progressive engagement and assistance practices, including the following:
(1) Ensuring low-barrier, easily accessible assistance to all people, including, but not limited to, people with no income or income history, and people with active substance abuse or mental health issues;
(2) Helping participants quickly identify and resolve barriers to obtaining and maintaining housing;
(3) Seeking to quickly resolve the housing crisis before focusing on other non-housing related services;
(4) Allowing participants to choose the services and housing that meets their needs, within practical and funding limitations;
(5) Connecting participants to appropriate support and services available in the community that foster long-term housing stability;
(6) Offering financial assistance and supportive services in a manner which offers a minimum amount of assistance initially, adding more assistance over time if needed to quickly resolve the housing crisis by either ending homelessness, or avoiding an immediate return to literal homelessness or the imminent risk of literal homelessness. The type, duration, and amount of assistance offered shall be based on an individual assessment of the household, and the availability of other resources or support systems to resolve their housing crisis and stabilize them in housing; and
(7) Notwithstanding subdivision (6) above:
(A) Rapid Rehousing activities funded within the same Continuum of Care Service Area shall follow the same program requirements for type, duration, and amount of assistance provided, unless sufficient written justification for any differences is provided by the Continuum of Care and approved by the Department; and
(B) Homeless prevention activities funded within the same Continuum of Care Service Area shall follow the same program requirements for type, duration, and amount of assistance provided, unless sufficient written justification for any differences is provided by the Continuum of Care and approved by the Department.
(8) Any other practices promoted or required by HUD.
1. New section filed 7-14-2004; operative 8-13-2004 (Register 2004, No. 29).
2. Amendment of section heading, repealer and new section and amendment of NOTE filed 2-25-2016; operative 4-1-2016 (Register 2016, No. 9).
Note: Authority cited: Section 50406(n), Health and Safety Code. Reference: 24 C.F.R. Sections 576.400 and 576.401.
