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What coordinated entry is
HUD requires every Continuum of Care (CoC)—the local planning body for homeless services, often covering a county, region, or whole state—to run a coordinated entry system. Instead of calling dozens of programs separately, people experiencing homelessness go through one standardized process that:
- Accesses people through designated entry points
- Assesses their situation and needs
- Prioritizes them for available resources
- Refers them to programs as openings occur
Finding the front door
Access points differ by community. Common ones:
- 211 or a local homeless services hotline
- Drop-in or navigation centers
- Shelters (some assess residents on site)
- Street outreach teams
- Domestic violence programs (often with a separate confidential process)
- Youth drop-in centers and VA medical centers for specialized populations
Call 211 and ask: “Where is the coordinated entry access point for [county], and when can I be assessed?”
HUD’s definitions of homelessness
Eligibility for HUD-funded programs depends on which category you fall into:
| Category | Who it covers |
|---|---|
| 1. Literally homeless | Staying in a shelter, transitional housing, or a place not meant for habitation (street, car, abandoned building); or exiting an institution after 90 days or less and homeless before entering |
| 2. Imminent risk of homelessness | Will lose your primary nighttime residence within 14 days, with no other place identified and no resources or support networks to obtain housing |
| 3. Homeless under other federal statutes | Certain unaccompanied youth and families with children who are homeless under other federal definitions (used only in limited circumstances) |
| 4. Fleeing domestic violence | Fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous conditions, with no other residence or resources |
Chronically homeless means a person with a disability who has been homeless in category 1 continuously for at least 12 months, or on at least four occasions in the last three years totaling 12 months. Many permanent supportive housing programs prioritize chronically homeless people.
Other definitions exist: schools use the broader McKinney-Vento education definition, which includes children in doubled-up and motel situations. See homeless students’ rights.
The assessment
Expect questions about:
- Where you slept last night and how long you’ve been homeless
- Household members and ages
- Income and benefits
- Physical and mental health, disabilities, and substance use
- Safety, including domestic violence
- Veteran status
- Past evictions, criminal history, and barriers to renting
- Your preferences for location and housing type
Answer honestly. Details about health conditions, disabilities, and how long you’ve been homeless can affect your priority. Communities are moving away from any single scoring tool, so the process may involve conversation with an assessor rather than just a questionnaire.
Privacy: your information is usually entered into the local Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). You should be told how it will be used and shared, and you can ask about consent options. Domestic violence victim service providers are prohibited from entering identifying information into HMIS.
Prioritization and referrals
After assessment, you’re placed in a pool. When a program has an opening, the CoC refers the person or family who best fits its priority criteria and program eligibility. Common programs:
- Diversion: problem-solving to find a safe alternative (for example, reuniting with family) with small amounts of financial help
- Homelessness prevention: help to keep your current housing
- Rapid rehousing: short- to medium-term rental assistance and services. See rapid rehousing
- Transitional housing: time-limited housing with services. See transitional housing
- Permanent supportive housing: long-term rental assistance with services for people with disabilities. See permanent supportive housing
- Special-purpose vouchers: Stability Vouchers, HUD-VASH, and others by referral
Documents that speed things up
- Photo ID, Social Security card, birth certificate
- Proof of income or benefits
- Homelessness verification (letters from shelters or outreach workers; self-certification is allowed when third-party proof isn’t available)
- Disability verification from a qualified professional (for supportive housing)
- DD-214 for veterans
Case managers can help you get replacement documents; start early, because missing ID is a common cause of delay once a unit is available.
Staying connected
Referrals often have short deadlines. If a program can’t reach you, it may move to the next person. To stay connected:
- Give a phone number, email, and a backup contact (case manager, friend, drop-in center)
- Check in regularly with your assessor or case manager
- Update your information if your situation, health, or location changes
- Ask how you’ll be notified of a referral and how long you’ll have to respond
If you disagree
Every CoC must have a written process for complaints and appeals about coordinated entry decisions and discrimination. Ask the access point or CoC lead agency for its grievance procedure. For discrimination, you can also contact HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity or a local fair-housing organization.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my coordinated entry access point?
Call 211 and ask for “coordinated entry” or the homeless services access point for your county. You can also ask any shelter, outreach worker, or homeless service agency; each Continuum of Care designates its access points.
Does coordinated entry give me housing right away?
No. It places you in a prioritization pool for available programs. When a unit or program slot opens, a referral is made based on the community’s priorities. Some people are housed quickly; others wait months or are referred to prevention, diversion, or shelter instead.
Can I be assessed if I’m staying with friends or in a motel?
Yes. Many communities assess people who are doubled up, in motels, or about to lose housing, and some offer prevention or diversion help. Eligibility for specific HUD programs depends on which homeless category you fall into.
Do I have to answer every question?
You may decline to answer some questions, and you must be told how your information will be used and shared. Declining may limit which programs you can be matched to. Survivors of domestic violence can use alternative, confidential processes.
Why was someone else housed before me?
Communities prioritize by criteria such as length of homelessness, disability, health vulnerability, and safety—not first come, first served. If you think your assessment missed something, such as a new health condition or safety risk, ask to update it.
Sources and verification
Use these sources to check program rules. Funding, openings, and local procedures must be confirmed with the agency handling your application.
Update note (2026-10-01): Replaced a missing source link with an official program page or governing regulation. This was a source-link update, not a complete review of every claim.
- 24 CFR 578.7: CoC Coordinated AssessmentElectronic Code of Federal Regulations
- 24 CFR 578.3: Definitions, Including HomelessnessElectronic Code of Federal Regulations
- 24 CFR 578.3 — Definitions (Continuum of Care program)Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
- Continuum of Care ProgramU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
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