HUD Requires that a Continuum of Care (CoC): “Adopt and follow a written process to select a CoC board to act on behalf of the CoC. The CoC must review, update, and approve the selection process at least once every five years."

The CoC Board acts on behalf of the Coalition’s mission to prevent and end homelessness in the cities of Utica and Rome, and in Oneida and Madison Counties which are located in the Mohawk Valley region of Central New York. Our CoC Board includes representatives from local government and service provider agencies who serve diverse homeless populations. In addition to the Board Chair and a representative from the CoC's Collaborative Applicant (United Way of the Mohawk Valley) there are 15 member agencies, 2 formerly homeless individuals who participate in the CoC Lived Experience Workgroup, and one local landlord serving on the CoC Board.

 CoC Board Criteria

The criteria used for nomination and confirmation to the CoC Board are:

Must meet two or more criteria in addition to being an active participant in the continuum of care (6 or more meetings attended in past 12 months.  In the case of an organization that HUD calls a “relevant organization” which has not previously participated in the continuum of care (e.g. a local hospital or college), the past active participation requirement may be waived.

1. Familiar with local homeless needs, resources, gaps

2. Experience providing homeless assistance

3. History of an ability to work collaboratively to address community needs

4. Represent a particular homeless sub-population not represented by anyone else

5. Currently homeless or formerly homeless