Homelessness is a complex issue rooted in societal gaps and systemic failures. Solving it demands unified community efforts rather than individual or isolated interventions. In Chicago, our response is spearheaded by the Continuum of Care (CoC), guided by a charter and a Board of Directors. The Chicago CoC Implementation Structure (CoC IS) provides the organizational backbone, following the Collective Impact model to execute initiatives effectively.
“Collective impact is a network of community members, organizations, and institutions who advance equity by learning together, aligning, and integrating their actions to achieve population and systems-level change.”
Collective Impact Forum
This structured approach ensures Chicago CoC activities align with defined objectives, promoting seamless collaboration and effective communication. The Implementation Structure empowers targeted decision-making, gathers collective feedback, and implements impactful measures to address homelessness systematically. Governed by CoC Board priorities and System Goals, this framework involves key stakeholders, including All Chicago, community lead agencies, and individuals with lived experience, ensuring a coordinated response. For inquiries regarding the CoC IS Guidebook and operations, please email cocprograms@allchicago.org. Ongoing feedback on operations and the guidebook can be provided via the linked form, guiding collaborative efforts effectively.
CoC Implementation Structure Key Components
Strategic Priority Areas (referred to as Lines of Action)
A line of action (LOA) serves as a dedicated strategic priority within the Chicago CoC, serving to centralize and coordinate efforts. LOAs specifically target matters necessitating stakeholder engagement, tackling intricate challenges that demand substantial systemic change. They may be established in response to a surge in resources or focused attention, requiring a well-coordinated response. The success of LOAs hinges on widespread CoC input and leadership, emphasizing the importance of collaborative and informed decision-making.
CoC System Goals
In 2018, the Chicago CoC established system-wide goals inspired by the collective impact approach. Each Goal is accompanied by metrics designed to quantify progress, offering detailed outcomes data that delineate our advancement toward the goals. These goals guide the selection of strategic priority areas and lines of action, providing a framework for focused and impactful initiatives.
Intentional Opportunities for Influence and Action
The CoC Implementation Structure (CoC IS) fosters collaboration and communication while allowing the community to engage in targeted decision-making. The CoC IS is comprised of work done on behalf of and in partnership with the CoC. This includes the work of the community’s lead agencies, affinity groups, and groups that provide a forum for people with lived experience.
Lead Agency Work
Lead Agencies carry out duties on behalf of the CoC to support Chicago’s relationship with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Their work is governed by (MOU) with the CoC Board of Directors. Lead agencies are selected by the CoC to push for progress in preventing and ending homelessness and are accountable to the System Operations and Performance Committee (SOPC) of the CoC Board.
All Chicago serves as the Collaborative Applicant, Coordinated Entry System (CES) Lead Agency, and the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Lead Agency on behalf of the Chicago CoC and as mandated by HUD’s CoC requirements.
Collaborative Applicant: The Collaborative Applicant is the eligible applicant designated by the CoC to collect and submit all the required CoC application information for all projects selected for CoC funding and apply for planning funds on behalf of the CoC. The Collaborative Applicant is also responsible for developing procedures to implement the policies established by the CoC Board.
HMIS Lead Agency: HMIS is a database that collects and organizes specific data on people experiencing homelessness and the housing and homeless services that they receive. Collecting standardized data helps us better understand homelessness and allows us to measure progress toward specific goals. All Chicago serves as the Lead Agency designated by the CoC to operate the HMIS and to ensure the HMIS is administered in accordance with the HEARTH Act.
CES Lead Agency: The CES is a process developed to ensure all people experiencing a housing crisis have fair and equal access and are quickly identified, assessed for, referred, and connected to housing and assistance based on their strengths and needs. All Chicago Serves as the CES Lead Agency designated to oversee the CES.
Each entity is governed by a Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) to inform and guide system work. MOUs outline the roles, responsibilities, and accountability structures for each Lead Agency, as established by the CoC. View MOUs here.
Stay Connected!
Questions about the Chicago CoC? Contact the CoC Programs team at cocprograms@allchicago.org.
