TO: Chair and Housing Authority Commissioners
THROUGH: Krishna Namburi, Executive Director
FROM: Nicole Utz, Director of Housing
SUBJECT:
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Informational Report - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announcement of Continuum of Care Competition Notice of Funding Opportunity for the coming year.
Ward(s): All Wards
Commissioners(s): All Commissioners
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Safe and Healthy Community; Welcome and Livable Neighborhood
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SUMMARY:
summary
Important updates from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regarding the Continuum of Care (CoC) funding cycle for the coming year and its anticipated impact to programs throughout Salem/Marion and Polk Counties.
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ISSUE:
Information only.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Information only.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
HUD has announced significant policy changes that will likely make it difficult to access service dollars in certain areas, and to leverage federal funds for homeless services, under current Salem and Oregon laws and policies. This is expected to have a direct impact on local funding availability, both to Salem Housing Authority (SHA) and other service providers. Similar changes in language and future requirements of programs currently administered by SHA are anticipated.
The CoC for Marion and Polk County is Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance (MWVHA).
Recognized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in December 2019 as the Marion-Polk region’s Continuum of Care (CoC), the Alliance does not provide direct services. Rather, it focuses on communitywide planning and coordination, aligning services, implementing a strategic plan, collecting and analyzing data, expanding participation in the Coordinated Entry System, and bringing chronic Veteran, and youth homelessness to functional zero through system improvement methodology.
The Alliance is also responsible for annually compiling a single community application for federal Continuum of Care dollars.
The Alliance is supported by the ORS 190 Entity, Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance, an intergovernmental organization which serves as the Collaborative Applicant for the annual funding application and is responsible for financial, legal, contracts, and other administrative functions. (Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance FY 2025 Continuum of Care Competition and Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity. p.5)
SHA previously received NOFO funds for the SHA Rapid Rehousing Program for FY 2023-2024 (ended June 30, 2025). Though not currently receiving CoC funds, SHA intended to request funding for Redwood Crossings. Anticipated policy changes could make SHA ineligible.
Per HUD.gov press release “HUD Secretary Scott Turner Leads Monumental Reforms to Homelessness Program, Ending Biden-Era Slush Fund” among other things, this NOFO will:
• Increases competition for grants to improve system efficiencies and spur innovation.
• Advances public safety through thoughtful partnerships with law enforcement.
• Focuses on self-sufficiency and not on the expansion of government subsidies and perpetuation of slush funds.
• Encourages personal accountability through enhanced treatment requirements to combat the Fentanyl crisis.
• Cracks down on DEI, gender ideology extremism, and the misuse and abuse of taxpayer dollars on illegal aliens.
Although the exact details of HUD’s requirements are still unknown, if HUD’s requirements align with recent administration executive orders, SHA and other providers in the Salem area may be ineligible for funding due to State mandated Housing First and Sanctuary policies.
BACKGROUND:
HUD originated the Continuum of Care program to promote a community-wide commitment to end homelessness by funding nonprofit providers. It also funds state and local governments to rehouse homeless individuals and families quickly.
Provider agencies strive to:
• Minimize the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless individuals, families, and communities;
• Promote access to and use of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families;
• Optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Local programs that have received CoC funding in the past include ARCHES, Church of the Park, ARCHES Youth Services, Center for Hope and Safety, and in previous years the Salem Housing Authority Rapid Rehousing program.
Nicole Utz
Director of Housing
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