Continuum of Care (CoC) Program

The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program consists of projects that provide housing and supportive services to homeless individuals and families. The goal of projects funded under the CoC Program is to assist individuals and families with attaining and sustaining permanent housing as quickly as possible. In Snohomish County, CoC Program funds are currently used to support Permanent Supportive Housing and Rapid Rehousing.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) conducts an annual CoC Program national competition. Additional information on the CoC Program can be found on the HUD website: https://www.hudexchange.info/coc/. Snohomish County's Office of Community and Homeless Services (OCHS) is the lead agency responsible for completing and submitting an annual application for CoC Program funding on behalf of the Everett/Snohomish County CoC. More information about CoC Program funding for the Everett/Snohomish County CoC is available on the CoC Program Funding webpage.

Local Program Standards

Local Snohomish County program standards that implement HUD regulations and guidelines for CoC and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) projects have been developed and must be used by all projects supported by these funds. The local CoC and ESG Program Standards document is available below:

• HEARTH Local Program Standards (PDF) (1.7 MB)
• Orders of Priority for Homeless Housing Beds (PDF)
• Rent Reasonableness Policies and Procedures (PDF)
• Rent Reasonableness Certification (PDF)
• Rental Assistance Agreement (PDF)

Rapid Rehousing Guide

The Local CoC Program Standards incorporate by reference the Rapid Rehousing Guide, which provides baseline requirements and strategies for all rapid rehousing projects funded through the Snohomish County Office of Community and Homeless Services.

• Rapid Rehousing Guide (PDF) (updated January 2022)

Eligibility Documentation

Eligibility for assistance under the CoC Program is determined by HUD regulations and is further defined by project component. Projects funded under the CoC Program may use the following forms to document participant eligibility.

• Verification of Homelessness (PDF)
• Verification of Chronic Homelessness (PDF)
  • Documentation of Chronic Homelessness (PDF)
  • Self-Declaration of Chronic Homelessness (PDF)
• Verification of Disability (PDF)
  • Verification of Disability – Sample Letter (PDF)
• Rights and Remedies under Fair Housing and Civil Rights Laws
  • Reasonable Accommodation/Modification – Sample Letter
• Education Services for Homeless Families with Children (PDF)
• Documentation of Eligibility
  • Documentation of Eligibility (PDF)
  • Self-Declaration of Eligibility (PDF)
• Verification of Income (PDF) (the CoC Interim Rule does not have an income eligibility requirement; however, local standards may have income eligibility requirements for specific project components such as rapid rehousing. Please also note that documenting income may be necessary for the provision of services (i.e., to calculate rent or an occupancy charge.)

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act As Amended by The HEARTH Act of 2009 (S.896)

The Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009 (HEARTH) was signed into law on May 20, 2009. The HEARTH Act reauthorizes the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. The HEARTH Act is available below:

• McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act As Amended by S.896 HEARTH Act of 2009 (PDF) 

Continuum of Care Program Interim Rule

The CoC Interim Rule was published on July 31, 2012 and took effect on August 30, 2012. The CoC Interim Rule is available below:

• CoC Program Interim Rule (PDF) 

Homeless Definition Final Rule

The Homeless Definition Final Rule was published on December 5, 2011. The Homeless Definition Final Rule is available below:

• Homeless Definition Final Rule (PDF) 

Chronically Homeless Definition Final Rule

The defining "Chronically Homeless" Final Rule was published on December 4, 2015. The rule is available below:

• Defining "Chronically Homeless" Final Rule (PDF)