In a “Dear Tribal Leader” letter sent on April 11, HUD’s Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS) announced two opportunities for Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) to learn more about resources for addressing homelessness using the Continuum of Care (CoC) program. According to the announcement, Tribes or TDHEs can learn more about the CoC program by (1) joining an information sharing network connecting Tribes and TDHEs around the country and (2) joining HUD’s Tribal Homelessness Network, which offers HUD Technical Assistance through online, group learning, and peer-to-peer collaborative approaches.
The “Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021” included language allowing the participation of Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) in the CoC program, which is one of two primary funding programs for addressing homelessness (see Memo 2/13/2023). Given that Tribes have not had access to this funding source, HUD acknowledged a need to provide information and offer guidance to Tribes and TDHEs about the CoC program. The purpose of the announcement is to inform Tribes and TDHEs about the CoC program so they may choose whether to participate in it now or at some point in the future. In addition to the “CoC Program Resources for Tribal Communities,” the Tribal Homelessness Network adds to existing HUD resources meant to help Tribes use the CoC program for homeless services.
The Dear Tribal Leader letter notes that participation in the Tribal Homelessness Network (THN) is voluntary and is intended to enable Tribes and TDHEs to take advantage of peer-sharing opportunities. THN participants will decide on how frequently they would like to meet. If your Tribe or TDHE wants to share its contact information with other Tribes or TDHEs working to address homelessness, please send an email to [email protected] with the subject line “Connect with Other Tribes and TDHEs.” Additionally, if your Tribe or TDHE is interested in future Tribal Homelessness Network learning opportunities, monitor this webpage.
Read the Dear Tribal Leader letter here.