The Lee County Continuum of Care (CoC) is a group of community stakeholders who work together to address the needs of individuals and families who are homeless Lee County. The group includes funders, service providers, local businesses, and advocates who meet monthly at the Lee County Homeless Coalition General Meeting. The work of the Continuum of Care is carried out within several sub-committees, which plan for community education, advocacy, the Homeless Management Information and Coordinated Entry Systems, and community resources and needs.
Governing Board
The Continuum of Care is overseen by a Governing Board made up of community volunteers that represent a variety of community sectors, including providers of housing, supportive services, health care, education, mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, community advocates, and homeless or formerly homeless persons. The Governing Board meets regularly to evaluate the performance of community programs and identify strategic planning initiatives.
The Continuum of Care Governing Board is now accepting applications for new members.
Members are required to attend regular meetings and commit to a one year term.
| 2020 CoC Governing Board Meeting Schedule* |
| February 12, 2020 at 10:30 am |
| April 8, 2020 at 10:30 am |
| May 13, 2020 at 10:30 am |
| July 15, 2020 at 10:30 am |
| August 5, 2020 at 9:00 am |
| September 9, 2020 at 10:30 am |
| November 4, 2020 at 9:00 am |
Lee County Human and Veteran Services serves as the Collaborative Applicant to compete on a national level for Homeless Continuum of Care (CoC) funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The application includes over $1.7 million in requests for renewal projects and new requests for projects (when available) that address the needs of Lee County’s homeless. Funds support programs for permanent housing, emergency shelter, and services for the homeless are provided by the following funded agencies:
Funding
- Community Assisted & Supported Living Inc. (CASL Inc.)
- The Salvation Army, a Georgia Corporation, Inc.
2019 Continuum of Care Funding Cycle
| 2019 homeless funding COMPETITION | date |
|---|---|
| 2019 CoC Registration Notice | Published January 31, 2019 Due March 14, 2019 |
| 2019 Lee County CoC Registration | Submitted February 5, 2019 |
| 2019 HUD CoC Notice of Funding Availability | Published July 3, 2019 |
| Local Request for Applications for 2019 CoC New Projects (Addendum #1) | Published July 5, 2019 |
| OPTIONAL Pre-Application Meeting at Human and Veteran Services, 2440 Thompson St., Fort Myers, FL 33901 | July 15, 2019 at 3:30 pm |
| Deadline for Questions regarding Request for Applications | July 31, 2019 |
| Response to Request for Applications Questions | August 2, 2019 |
| Deadline for 2019 New Project Applications to be Submitted | August 9, 2019, before 5:00 pm |
| 2019 CoC Project Application Ranking Meeting | August 16, 2019, at 1:00 pm at Lee County Human and Veteran Services |
| Applicants Notified of Funding Decision | August 16, 2019 |
CoC Application Published for Public Review Priority Listing Published for Public Review | On or before September 25, 2019 |
| HUD Deadline for Submission of the 2019 CoC Application | September 30, 2019, before 8:00 pm |
State of Florida Homelessness Funding
The State of Florida, Department of Children and Families, Office on Homelessness released the Request for Applications for Unified Homelessness Grant for Fiscal Years 2019-2022 on January 28, 2019, and applications were due on March 29, 2019. Lee County’s application includes three new projects and requests $570,000 in grant funds.
Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness
Lee County’s Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness was developed by eight subcommittees, but many community groups are involved in its implementation and are working to accomplish the goals set forth in the plan. Organizations enter accomplishments made toward the goals of the plan in the corresponding Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness Database. A quarterly report on the progress is presented to the Lee County Human Services Council.
The Continuum of Care, through several working sessions, drafted the 2019 CoC Strategic Plan. This plan provides additional goals and action steps to work toward ensuring that homelessness in Lee County is a rare, brief, and one-time experience.
| Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness |
| Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness Database |