Continuum of Care
What is a Continuum of Care?
A Continuum of Care (CoC) is a Continuum of Care (CoC) is a regional planning body designated by HUD to coordinate housing and services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
The NY-603 CoC is a network of community partners dedicated to ending homelessness in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
What is the CoC's Mission?
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The mission of the Long Island CoC is to:
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End chronic homelessness and reduce the overall number of people experiencing homelessness on Long Island
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Develop and oversee the implementation of strategies and interventions to ensure that homelessness is a rare, brief, and one-time occurrence in our region
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Coordinate and consolidate the efforts of housing and service providers to create strongly coordinated partnerships with streamlined connections to leveraged supports.
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Maximize the use and coordination of resources to best serve people experiencing homelessness on Long Island, based on evidence-based practice and local needs and considerations, while utilizing a person-centered approach.
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Create political will to best address homelessness, increase awareness and education, and minimize community barriers to serving those experiencing homelessness.
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Evaluate quantitative and qualitative information and feedback on those experiencing homelessness on Long Island and seek to ensure fairness in the way ..people connect to resources and housing.
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Create a collaborative network that includes a wide range of community partners to determine local solutions to end homelessness, including people that have experienced homelessness.
Who is Part of the CoC?
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The CoC is a broad community partnership that can include:
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Homeless service
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housing providers,
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People with lived experience of homelessness,
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Local and state government agencies
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Healthcare and behavioral health providers
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Victim service providers
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Public housing agencies
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Schools and educational institutions,
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Veteran-serving organizations,
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Faith-based and community organizations
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Advocates and affordable housing developers
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Law enforcement and other public systems
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Businesses and other community partners
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Serve on the CoC Governance Board
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Join a CoC Committee
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Apply for CoC Funds
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Participate in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
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Volunteer for annual Point-In-Time (PIT Count)
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Attend the Monthly CoC Community Network Meeting
How can CoC Members Participate?​​​​
What Does the CoC Do?
1.Connect – Strengthens pathways between people experiencing homelessness and the housing, services, and resources available throughout the community.
2. Coordinate – Brings organizations and systems together around shared goals and strategies.
3. Plan – Uses data, community input, and lived experience to understand the state of local homelessness, identify gaps, and establish community priorities.
4. Measure – Uses data and system performance to understand trends, evaluate outcomes, and inform decision-making.
5. Improve – Identifies barriers and opportunities and develops strategies to make the homeless response system more coordinated, accessible, and effective.
The CoC shapes much of the local response to homelessness by identifying gaps in resources, leveraging partnerships, determining who is prioritized for limited housing resources, and how local success in ending homelessness is measured and improved.
