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Continuum of Care shelters and Coordinated Entry (the front door to homeless housing in each county): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next

Every California county is covered by a Continuum of Care that runs Coordinated Entry: one assessment that matches people who are homeless, or about to be, to shelter, transitional housing, rapid re-housing and permanent supportive housing. Access is through the county's access points, 211 and outreach teams. Housing goes to the people assessed as most in need, not to whoever came first.

What Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry is, in one paragraph

A Continuum of Care (CoC) is the local body, usually one per county or region, that receives HUD money to rehouse people who are homeless (rule:coc_purpose). Each CoC must run Coordinated Entry: one assessment process covering its whole area that matches people to shelter, transitional housing, rapid re-housing and permanent supportive housing (rule:ce_required, rule:ce_coverage, rule:components). Emergency shelter and outreach are also funded by HUD's Emergency Solutions Grants (rule:esg_shelter). Housing goes to the people the assessment shows are most in need, not first-come, first-served (rule:ce_priority).

14 days
losing your home within 14 days, with nowhere to go, counts as homeless for HUD programs (24 CFR 578.3, rule:homeless_2)

Who may qualify

HUD counts four groups as homeless:

CategoryWhoRule
1No fixed, regular, adequate place to sleep: street, car, park, shelter, transitional housing; or leaving an institution after 90 days or less having been homeless beforerule:homeless_1, rule:homeless_institution
2Will lose the home within 14 days, with no next place and no resourcesrule:homeless_2
3Unaccompanied youth under 25, or families with children, homeless under other federal laws and meeting added instability testsrule:homeless_3
4Fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or other danger, with no other placerule:homeless_4

At risk of homelessness includes income below 30% of area median income among other tests (rule:at_risk_30); some programs serve this group.

Permanent supportive housing is for people with a disability (rule:psh_disability). Nobody can be refused Coordinated Entry for being a survivor of violence (rule:ce_dv), or for declining to give information not needed for eligibility (rule:ce_refuse_info).

How to apply, and what happens after

Go to a Coordinated Entry access point in the county, call 211, or ask a street outreach team (rule:ce_access). The same standardized assessment is used at every access point (rule:ce_assessment).

StageWhat happensDeadlineWhat loses people their place
AccessContact an access point, 211 or outreachTonight if unshelteredNot knowing the front door
AssessmentStandardized assessmentFirst contactLosing contact afterwards
Priority listRanked by need (rule:ce_priority)Until matchedA phone that stops working
OfferShelter; transitional housing up to 24 months (rule:th_24_months); rapid re-housing with a monthly case manager (rule:rrh_case_manager); permanent supportive housing with a lease of at least a year (rule:lease_one_year)Per offerMissing the referral call
After housingServices up to six months after exit (rule:services_after_exit)Per providerNone
GrievanceUnder the CoC's written policyUNKNOWNNot asking
The procedure, stage by stage, as data
JSONThe procedure, stage by stage, as data
8 items
10 keys
"id""stage:discover"
"order"1
"name""Discover"
"what_happens""Person learns that the county's Coordinated Entry is the front door to homeless housing"
"who_acts""Person / outreach / 211"
"timeline""Tonight if unsheltered; as soon as a move-out date is known"
"evidence""None"
"failure_mode""Going building to building instead of through Coordinated Entry"
"model_role""Name the county's access route"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:screen_eligibility"
"order"2
"name""Screen eligibility"
"what_happens""Which homeless category applies: no place tonight, losing housing within 14 days, youth or family, fleeing violence"
"who_acts""Model + person"
"timeline""Minutes"
"evidence""Where the person slept, move-out date, safety"
"failure_mode""Assuming 'couch surfing' never counts"
"model_role""Match facts to rule:homeless_1 to rule:homeless_4"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:gather_documents"
"order"3
"name""Gather documents"
"what_happens""ID, Social Security card, income proof, disability verification, eviction notice"
"who_acts""Person with model checklist"
"timeline""Before the match"
"evidence""ID, notices, disability letters"
"failure_mode""Missing ID delays a housing match"
"model_role""Build the checklist; the person may decline to give some information (rule:ce_refuse_info)"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:interview_verification"
"order"4
"name""Assessment"
"what_happens""Standardized assessment at an access point or by outreach staff"
"who_acts""Assessor + person"
"timeline""At the first contact"
"evidence""Assessment record"
"failure_mode""Losing contact after the assessment"
"model_role""Prepare answers; record the assessor's contact"
"automation_class""C - assessment is by trained staff"
10 keys
"id""stage:decision"
"order"5
"name""Prioritization and referral"
"what_happens""The person is placed on the CoC's priority list; housing is offered by need"
"who_acts""CoC"
"timeline""When a unit opens"
"evidence""Referral"
"failure_mode""Missing the referral call"
"model_role""Remind the person to keep a working phone and check in"
"automation_class""C - human matching"
10 keys
"id""stage:issuance_use"
"order"6
"name""Issuance / use"
"what_happens""Shelter bed, transitional housing (up to 24 months), rapid re-housing with monthly case management, or permanent supportive housing with a lease"
"who_acts""Provider + person"
"timeline""Per offer"
"evidence""Lease or occupancy agreement"
"failure_mode""Turning down an offer without asking what happens next"
"model_role""Explain each offer by rule id"
"automation_class""D"
10 keys
"id""stage:report_changes"
"order"7
"name""Report changes"
"what_happens""Tell the case manager or Coordinated Entry about changes in contact, household or income"
"who_acts""Person"
"timeline""As they happen"
"evidence""None"
"failure_mode""Lost contact drops the person from the list"
"model_role""Remind the person"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:appeal_fair_hearing"
"order"8
"name""Appeal / grievance"
"what_happens""Grievance under the CoC's or provider's written policy"
"who_acts""Person"
"timeline""UNKNOWN (set locally)"
"evidence""Notice"
"failure_mode""Not asking"
"model_role""Ask for the written grievance policy"
"automation_class""B"

The same facts open other programs

Where a person slept, household, disability and county are the facts Coordinated Entry asks. The same facts open:

References (8)

Those connections are read from the California benefits graph, the object that holds all 80 programs, the life events that trigger them and the facts they share.

What this article shares with the graph
JSONWhat this article shares with the graph
6 keys
"program_id""B079"
"graph""california-benefits-graph"
"related_program_ids" 8 items
"B067"
"B040"
"B035"
"B069"
"B039"
"B042"
"B001"
"B011"
"related_programs" 8 keys
"B067""211 (navigation infrastructure)"
"B040""CalWORKs Housing Support Program + county rapid rehousing"
"B035""Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)"
"B069""Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) - legacy"
"B039""HOPWA (housing for people with HIV/AIDS)"
"B042""Legal aid: eviction defense & benefits advocacy"
"B001""CalFresh (SNAP)"
"B011""Medi-Cal (Medicaid)"
"triggered_by_events" 3 items
"event:eviction_notice_received_3_day_30_day_unlawful_detainer"
"event:became_homeless_no_address_tonight"
"event:release_from_incarceration"
"shares_facts_with" 3 keys
"person.identity.date_of_birth" 5 items
"B001"
"B011"
"B013"
"B023"
"B063"
"household.composition.members[]" 3 items
"B001"
"B011"
"B021"
"household.income.annual" 4 items
"B012"
"B049"
"B050"
"B056"

Official addresses

Related pages
Beside
211 (navigation infrastructure) (the free, confidential phone number for local help, open 24 hours): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextCalWORKs Housing Support Program and county rapid rehousing (housing help for CalWORKs families): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextHousing Choice Voucher (Section 8) (rent help paid to a private landlord): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextEmergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) (legacy: converting to regular Section 8 vouchers in 2026): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextHOPWA (housing help for people living with HIV/AIDS): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextLegal aid: eviction defense and benefits advocacy (free lawyers for tenants and people denied benefits): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextCalFresh (California food benefits): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens nextMedi-Cal (California Medicaid health coverage): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next
References (24)
  1. Programs of HUD: Continuum of Care Program — U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development“provides funding for efforts to quickly re-house homeless individuals and families while minimizing trauma and dislocation”
  2. Programs of HUD: Emergency Solutions Grants — U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development“which generally include essential services related to emergency shelter and street outreach”
  3. CoC Program Eligibility Requirements: coordinated entry — HUD Exchange (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)“HUD requires each CoC to establish and operate a coordinated entry process to increase the efficiency of local crisis response systems and improve ease of access to resources, including mainstream resources.”
  4. CoC Program Eligibility Requirements: components — HUD Exchange (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)“The CoC Program interim rule provides that CoC Program funds may be used for projects under five program components: permanent housing, transitional housing, supportive services only, HMIS, and, in some cases, homelessness prevention.”
  5. CoC Program Eligibility Requirements: permanent housing — HUD Exchange (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)“The CoC Program funds two types of permanent housing: permanent supportive housing (PSH) for persons with disabilities and rapid re-housing (RRH).”
  6. CoC Program Eligibility Requirements: lease — HUD Exchange (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)“Under PH, a program participant must be the tenant on a lease (or sublease) for an initial term of at least one year that is renewable and is terminable only for cause.”
  7. CoC Program Eligibility Requirements: transitional housing — HUD Exchange (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)“Transitional housing may be used to cover the costs of up to 24 months of housing with accompanying supportive services.”
  8. CoC Program Eligibility Requirements: rental assistance terms — HUD Exchange (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)“Rental assistance may be short-term for up to 3 months, medium-term for 3 to 24 months, or long-term for more than 24 months.”
  9. CoC Program Eligibility Requirements: rapid re-housing case management — HUD Exchange (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)“RRH programs must require program participants to meet with a case manager at least monthly.”
  10. CoC Program Eligibility Requirements: rent contribution — HUD Exchange (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)“Each program participant, on whose behalf rental assistance payments are made, must pay a contribution toward rent consistent with the requirements of the interim rule.”
  11. CoC Program Eligibility Requirements: services after exit — HUD Exchange (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)“Services may be provided to formerly homeless individuals for up to six months after their exit from homelessness”
  12. 24 CFR 578.3: homeless, category 1 — Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (Office of the Federal Register)“An individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, meaning:”
  13. 24 CFR 578.3: homeless, category 2 (14 days) — Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (Office of the Federal Register)“The primary nighttime residence will be lost within 14 days of the date of application for homeless assistance;”
  14. 24 CFR 578.3: homeless, category 3 (youth and families) — Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (Office of the Federal Register)“Unaccompanied youth under 25 years of age, or families with children and youth, who do not otherwise qualify as homeless under this definition”
  15. 24 CFR 578.3: homeless, category 4 (fleeing violence) — Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (Office of the Federal Register)“Is fleeing, or is attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions”
  16. 24 CFR 578.3: leaving an institution — Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (Office of the Federal Register)“An individual who is exiting an institution where he or she resided for 90 days or less and who resided in an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately before entering that institution;”
  17. 24 CFR 578.3: at risk of homelessness — Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (Office of the Federal Register)“Has an annual income below 30 percent of median family income for the area, as determined by HUD;”
  18. 24 CFR 578.3: permanent supportive housing — Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (Office of the Federal Register)“Permanent supportive housing means permanent housing in which supportive services are provided to assist homeless persons with a disability to live independently.”
  19. Notice CPD-17-01: Establishing Additional Requirements for a Continuum of Care Centralized or Coordinated Assessment System: coverage — U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development“Cover the entire geographic area claimed by the CoC;”
  20. Notice CPD-17-01: Establishing Additional Requirements for a Continuum of Care Centralized or Coordinated Assessment System: access — U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development“Be easily accessed by individuals and families seeking housing or services;”
  21. Notice CPD-17-01: Establishing Additional Requirements for a Continuum of Care Centralized or Coordinated Assessment System: assessment — U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development“Include a comprehensive and standardized assessment tool;”
  22. Notice CPD-17-01: Establishing Additional Requirements for a Continuum of Care Centralized or Coordinated Assessment System: purpose — U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development“Coordinated entry processes are intended to help communities prioritize people who are most in need of assistance.”
  23. Notice CPD-17-01: Establishing Additional Requirements for a Continuum of Care Centralized or Coordinated Assessment System: refusing information — U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development“CoCs are prohibited from denying assessment or services to a participant if the participant refuses to provide certain pieces of information”
  24. Notice CPD-17-01: Establishing Additional Requirements for a Continuum of Care Centralized or Coordinated Assessment System: survivors — U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development“Participants may not be denied access to the coordinated entry process on the basis that the participant is or has been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking.”