2 - CoC Policies
Section 1: All Project Standards
Housing First: The CoC requires all funded programs to use a Housing First approach to provide low-barrier programs and focus on client choice.
All projects will have Housing First core features including:
Few to no programmatic prerequisites to permanent housing entry,
Low barrier admission policies,
Rapid and streamlined entry into housing,
Supportive services are voluntary, but can and should be used to persistently engage tenants to ensure housing stability,
Tenants have full rights, responsibilities, and legal protections, and
Practices and policies to prevent lease violations and evictions.
Environmental Reviews: All funded projects should conduct and complete an environmental review before starting a CoC-funded program. An environmental review is a process of reviewing a project and its potential impact on the environment, determining if it meets federal, state, and local environmental standards. CoC-funded projects must work with their state or local governments to complete environmental reviews.
An environmental review must be conducted for all projects for which CoC program funds are being requested before those funds (including non-HUD funds) are committed to the project.
All CoC-funded projects require an environmental review, however, not all projects require the same level of review. For more information on Environmental Reviews see the Orientation to Environmental Reviews on the HUD Exchange.
Service Coordination: Projects will assist program participants to promote access to and effective utilization of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families; and optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Staff should be knowledgeable about mainstream programs, services in the community, and requirements pertaining to school-age children with a designated staff person. Participants may refuse to apply for any mainstream benefits they do not want to receive.
Client Files: The documentation necessary for the effective delivery and tracking of service will be kept up to date and the confidentiality of program participants will be maintained. The case file should include:
Documentation of homelessness
Type of need (amount & type)
Eligibility/Annual Updates- done at intake and annually to ensure eligibility of services.
Where a disability is required, files should include verification
Client information entered into HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) and HMIS forms in file should include Coordinated Entry referral, intake & exit, confidentiality, and privacy.
Bridge Housing: Providing a bridge or temporary placement for persons prioritized as PSH but only RRH resources are available, without negatively affecting PSH eligibility.
Emergency Transfer Plan: All CoC-funded housing projects must align with the Emergency Transfer Planning Policy. This policy ensures there is a focus on the safety of participants who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The Emergency Transfer Plan allows tenants who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to request an emergency transfer from the participant’s current unit to another unit.
Evaluation & Planning: Ongoing program planning and evaluation will be conducted.
Reporting Requirements: All CoC-funded housing projects must meet certain reporting requirements that measure individual project performance. The purpose of collecting this data is so the CoC can assess the needs and performance of the overall CoC for better planning and coordination to address, reduce, and prevent homelessness.
To see more in-depth information on all project type written standards, click here and review the full IA BoS CoC Written Standards.
Section 2: Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Standards
Client Eligibility & Intake Process: Programs will be an active member of the Coordinated Entry system. Programs will have minimal entry requirements to ensure the most vulnerable populations are being served. Programs will assist participants in locating safe, affordable housing that meets participants’ needs in accordance with client intake practices and within respective CoC Written Standards. Prioritization will be based on VI-SPDAT score for those meeting Category 1 homelessness or Homeless Prevention Assessment for those meeting Category 4 homelessness, chronic homelessness status, length of time homeless or on the streets, currently fleeing domestic violence, Veteran status, and family/youth status (if the youth is not being served by a youth provider).
Prioritization: The policies and procedures outlined in the Coordinated Entry Policy Manual, approved by the Iowa Balance of State CoC, shall be followed when prioritizing eligible households. Prioritization will be based on VI-SPDAT score for those meeting Category 1 homelessness or Homeless Prevention Assessment for those meeting Category 4 homelessness, chronic homelessness status, length of time homeless or on the streets, currently fleeing domestic violence, Veteran status, and family/youth status (if the youth is not being served by a youth provider).
Program Operations: The program will provide safe, affordable housing that meets participants’ needs in accordance with client intake practices and within HUD guidelines for permanent supportive housing programs. For PSH projects there is no length of designated stay.
Case Management & Supportive Services: The program shall provide access to case management services by qualified and trained staff to each individual or family participating in the program. While services are voluntary for people participating in the program, they must be offered by the case managers.
Termination: Termination is expected to be limited to only the most severe cases. Programs will exercise judgment and examine all extenuating circumstances when determining if violations are serious enough to warrant termination.
To see more in-depth information on all project type written standards, click here and review the full IA BoS CoC Written Standards.
Section 3: Rapid Rehousing (RRH) Standards
Client Eligibility & Intake Process: Programs will be an active member of the Coordinated Entry system. Programs will have minimal entry requirements to ensure the most vulnerable populations are being served. Programs will assist participants in locating safe, affordable housing that meets participants’ needs in accordance with client intake practices and within respective CoC Written Standards.
Prioritization: The policies and procedures outlined in the Coordinated Entry Policy Manual, approved by the Iowa Balance of State CoC, shall be followed when prioritizing eligible households. Prioritization will be based on VI-SPDAT score for those meeting Category 1 homelessness or Homeless Prevention Assessment for those meeting Category 4 homelessness, chronic homelessness status, length of time homeless or on the streets, currently fleeing domestic violence, Veteran status, and family/youth status (if the youth is not being served by a youth provider).
Program Operations: The program will provide safe, affordable housing that meets participants’ needs in accordance with client intake practices and within HUD guidelines for permanent supportive housing programs. For RRH projects, the total assistance length that a program participant can receive is 24 months. However, a minimum stay cannot be dictated, and program participants should receive the assistance needed to exit homelessness safely and stably, which may not be a full 24 months of assistance. Six months of follow-up may be provided to participants after financial assistance ends in RRH projects.
Case Management & Supportive Services: The program shall provide access to case management services by qualified and trained staff to each individual or family participating in the program. Rapid Rehousing projects must require the participants meet with the Case Manager at least once a month to assist in maintaining housing stability.
Termination: Termination is expected to be limited to only the most severe cases. Programs will exercise judgment and examine all extenuating circumstances when determining if violations are serious enough to warrant termination.
Follow-Up Services: The program shall provide a continuity of services to all participants following their exit from the program. These services can be provided directly and/or through referrals to other agencies or individuals.
To see more in-depth information on all project type written standards, click here and review the full IA BoS CoC Written Standards.
Section 4: Joint Transitional Housing-Rapid Rehousing (Joint TH-RRH) Standards
Client Eligibility & Intake Process: Programs will be an active member of the Coordinated Entry system. Programs will have minimal entry requirements to ensure the most vulnerable populations are being served. Programs will assist participants in locating safe, affordable housing that meets participants’ needs in accordance with client intake practices and within respective CoC Written Standards.
Prioritization: The policies and procedures outlined in the Coordinated Entry Policy Manual, approved by the Iowa Balance of State CoC, shall be followed when prioritizing eligible households. Prioritization will be based on VI-SPDAT score for those meeting Category 1 homelessness or Homeless Prevention Assessment for those meeting Category 4 homelessness, chronic homelessness status, length of time homeless or on the streets, currently fleeing domestic violence, Veteran status, and family/youth status (if the youth is not being served by a youth provider).
Program Operations: The program will provide safe, affordable housing that meets participants’ needs in accordance with client intake practices and within HUD guidelines for permanent supportive housing programs. For Joint TH/RRH, the total assistance length that a program participant can receive is 24 months. However, a minimum stay in either portion of the project cannot be dictated, and program participants should receive the assistance needed to exit homelessness safely and stably, which may not be a full 24 months of assistance. Six months of follow-up may be provided to participants after financial assistance ends in Joint TH/RRH projects.
Case Management & Supportive Services: The program shall provide access to case management services by qualified and trained staff to each individual or family participating in the program. Rapid Rehousing must require the participants meet with the Case Manager at least once a month to assist in maintaining housing stability.
Termination: Termination is expected to be limited to only the most severe cases. Programs will exercise judgment and examine all extenuating circumstances when determining if violations are serious enough to warrant termination.
Follow-Up Services: The program shall provide a continuity of services to all participants following their exit from the program. These services can be provided directly and/or through referrals to other agencies or individuals.
To see more in-depth information on all project type written standards, click here and review the full IA BoS CoC Written Standards.
Section 5: Supportive Services Only (SSO) Standards
Client Eligibility & Intake Process: Programs will be an active member of the Coordinated Entry system. Programs will have minimal entry requirements to ensure the most vulnerable populations are being served. Programs will assist participants in locating safe, affordable housing that meets participants’ needs in accordance with client intake practices and within respective CoC Written Standards.
Prioritization: The policies and procedures outlined in the Coordinated Entry Policy Manual, approved by the Iowa Balance of State CoC, shall be followed when prioritizing eligible households. Prioritization will be based on VI-SPDAT score for those meeting Category 1 homelessness or Homeless Prevention Assessment for those meeting Category 4 homelessness, chronic homelessness status, length of time homeless or on the streets, currently fleeing domestic violence, Veteran status, and family/youth status (if the youth is not being served by a youth provider).
Program Operations: SSO participants may continue to receive six months of follow-up after they are permanently housed. If a participant is unable to be located for a consecutive 90-day period and no other contacts have been recorded, participants may be exited from the project.
Case Management & Supportive Services: The program shall provide access to case management services by qualified and trained staff to each individual or family participating in the program.
Termination: Termination is expected to be limited to only the most severe cases. Programs will exercise judgment and examine all extenuating circumstances when determining if violations are serious enough to warrant termination.
Follow-Up Services: The program shall provide a continuity of services to all participants following their exit from the program. These services can be provided directly and/or through referrals to other agencies or individuals.
To see more in-depth information on all project type written standards, click here and review the full IA BoS CoC Written Standards.