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.


GRCoC Coordinated Entry Policies and Procedures, 2024

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 FY25 designated & approved CES MoU agencies are ACTS, CARITAS, Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Daily Planet Health Services, Hanover Safe Place, HomeAgain, Homeward, Housing Families First, Liberation Veteran Services, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, The Salvation Army, Senior Connections, St. Joseph’s Villa Flagler, and Virginia Supportive Housing.


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 May 2024, GRCoC System Policies and Process (SPP) Committee revised the program standards. GRCoC Board approved the standards on June 10th, 2024.


Other Documents:

Connection Point Application (Approved March 2024)

GRCoC CES Access Review 2023

Local EHV Prioritization 2021

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

Sample Basic Assessment

GRCoC Arbitration Policy

Emergency Transfer Plan Flowchart (Approved June 2024)

Crisis Assistance Directory by Community (Updated March 2024)

GRCoC Shelter Referral FAQ

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:

  1. Make the case: Inform local housing industry about unique needs and barriers facing GRCoC clients.
  2. 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.
  3. 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