Coordinated Entry Policies & Standards
Coordinated Entry is a system in which all homeless assistance programs work together to ensure that services are accessible and well-targeted to the immediate needs of our neighbors experiencing homelessness. The goals of a coordinated entry system are to simplify access to services for people pushed into homelessness; to track program and system outcomes in reducing homelessness; to inform and enhance decision-making; and, to improve a community’s overall response to the crisis of homelessness.
Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with the GRCoC to provide services as part of a Coordinated Entry System (CES). The annually-established MoU ensures commitment to community-developed program standards and policies that meet federal guidelines and maximize our limited resources. These policies and standards ensure that all programs in the GRCoC employ fairness and transparency for people accessing services, use best practices in program delivery, follow non-discrimination and equal access guidelines, and participate in service coordination.
The community worked together to develop policies and standards for administering and providing homeless services in the region. These documents have been approved by the GRCoC Board and serve as the guiding principles for all programs, regardless of funding sources.
The FY23 designated & approved CES MoU agencies are ACTS, CARITAS, Chesterfield/Colonial Heights DSS, Capital Region Workforce Partnership, Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Daily Planet Health Services, Hanover Safe Place, HomeAgain, Homeward, Housing Families First, Liberation Veteran Services, OAR of Richmond, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, The Salvation Army, Senior Connections, St. Joseph’s Villa Flagler, Virginia Supportive Housing, and YWCA.
GRCoC Provider Standards guide the operation of GRCoC’s grant funded programs – diversion, outreach, emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing. Agencies with GRCoC sign a Coordinated Entry System MOU every year agreeing to follow the standards. In 2022, GRCoC System Policies and Process (SPP) Committee revised the program standards, submitted their revisions to the Quality Improvement Leadership (QIL) committee, and then made final revisions and endorsed the standards based on QIL feedback. GRCoC Board approved the standards on July 18th, 2022.
- GRCoC Diversion Standards (updated 2022)
- GRCoC Outreach Standards (updated 2022)
- GRCoC Emergency Shelter Standards (updated 2022)
- GRCoC Rapid Rehousing (RRH) Standards (updated 2022)
- GRCoC Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Standards (updated 2022)
Other Documents:
Connection Point Application (Approved March 2024)
- Connection Point Policy (Approved March 2024)
Local EHV Referral and Match Process 2021
Memorandum of Understanding RRHA 2021
Memorandum of Understanding CVRC 2021
Memorandum of Understanding Henrico 2021
2021 Seasonal Shelter Task Force Recommendations
2021 Point-in-Time Count Methodology
GRCoC Strategic Plan
In April 2023, GRCoC released a three-year Strategic Plan, "Connections to Affordable Housing Plan". The plan was developed through a series of focus groups, CoC membership meetings, and steering committee meetings from June 2022 to March 2023.
Mission: GRCoC will educate, advocate, and innovate with existing and new partners to increase the supply of, and access to, homes that are high quality, deeply affordable, and capable of providing truly permanent solutions for ending homelessness in our community.
Goals:
- Make the case: Inform local housing industry about unique needs and barriers facing GRCoC clients.
- Advocate: Strengthen the existing state and local-level advocacy apparatus for legislative and budgetary achievements to increase access to permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness.
- Innovate: Identify and promote innovative housing solutions among CoC development and government partners to produce more units and transition clients to permanent housing.
GRCoC Policy Documents
Important GRCoC Documents:
- GRCoC Bylaws (revised April 2023)
- GRCoC 2023 Annual Report
- Collaborative Applicant MOU (2024)
- HMIS Lead MOU (2024)
- Coordinated Entry System Coordinator MOU (2024)
- CES Partner Feedback Form