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• Hold meetings of the full CoC membership, with published agendas, at least semi-annually; 

• Make an invitation for new members to join, publicly available within the geographic area at least annually;

• Adopt and follow a written process to select CoC Board members to act on behalf of the CoC; and

• Appoint committees, subcommittees, or workgroups as may be deemed necessary. 

In consultation with the Lead Agency/Collaborative Applicant, and the HMIS Lead, develop, follow and update annually a governance charter, which will include all procedures and policies to comply with subpart B of 24 CFR 578, and with HMIS requirements as prescribed by HUD; and a code of conduct and recusal process for the board, its chair, and any person acting on behalf of the board. 

Consult with recipients and sub-recipients of CoC funding to establish performance targets appropriate for population and program type, monitor recipient and sub-recipient performance, evaluate outcomes, and act against poor performers.

Consult with the Iowa Finance Authority on evaluation of outcomes of projects funded under the Iowa Balance of State Emergency Solutions Grants program (hereinafter referred to as “ESG”) and the CoC program, and report to HUD. 

In consultation with the Lead Agency/Collaborative Applicant, the HMIS Lead, and recipients of ESG funds, establish and operate a centralized or coordinated assessment system that provides an initial, comprehensive assessment of the needs of individuals and families for housing and services. This work includes: 

• Develop and implement a Coordinated Entry system for the Iowa Balance of State Continuum of Care. This continues to be led by the Coordinated Entry Committee;

• Develop and approve a CoC-wide standard assessment tool (the currently approved tool is the Vulnerability Index-Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT));

• Ensure responsiveness to the needs of those fleeing domestic violence; 

• Develop support and structure for a regional approach to Coordinated Entry through all 96 counties of the Iowa Balance of State; 

• Coordinate with the HMIS Lead for the CoC to incorporate HMIS tools into Coordinated Entry, where appropriate, and where standards of confidentiality are the first priority; and 

• In consultation with the Iowa Finance Authority (ESG grantee), establish and consistently follow written standards for providing ESG assistance.

• Designate a single HMIS for the geographic area; 

• Designate an eligible applicant to manage the CoC’s HMIS, which will be known as the HMIS Lead; 

• Review, revise, and approve a privacy plan, security plan, and data quality plan for the HMIS;

• Ensure consistent participation of recipients and sub-recipients of CoC and ESG funding in the HMIS; and

• Ensure the HMIS is administered in compliance with requirements prescribed by HUD. 

Coordinating the implementation of a housing and service system within its geographic area that meets the needs of homeless individuals (including unaccompanied youth) and families. At a minimum, such a system will encompass the following: 

• Outreach, engagement, and assessment; 

• Shelter, housing, and supportive services; 

• Prevention strategies; 

• Planning for and conducting, at least biennially, a point-in-time count of homeless persons within the geographic area that meets the following requirements: 

  • Homeless persons who are living in a place not designed or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodation for humans must be counted as unsheltered homeless persons. 

  • Persons living in emergency shelters and transitional housing projects must be counted as sheltered homeless persons. 

• Annual Housing Inventory Count;

• Other requirements established by HUD by Notice;

• Conducting an annual gaps analysis of the homeless needs and services available within the geographic area; and

• Providing information required to complete the Consolidated Plan(s) within the CoC’s geographic area; Consulting with state and local government ESG program recipients for allocating ESG funds and reporting on and evaluating the performance of ESG recipients and sub-recipients.