1. C-O-L-L-A-B-O-R-A-T-I-O-N

2. Slow moving Bureaucracy

3. Regulation Geek – 24 CFR 91 – Consolidated Planning – Subpart - b
Citizen participation
Municipalities requesting hud money shall consult with community partners in a meaningful way
Partners include agencies that provide housing, social, health and fair housing services
Provide a homeless strategy
“the citizen participation plan is a pathway for all citizens to exercise their voice and influence decisions that affect their communities, neighborhoods and way of life.”

4. Competition heats Up
2015 CoC NOFA was the most competitive in the history of the program
Nationally, Some Programs that were renewed time & time again did not receive renewal funding. For the first time, our adage of “there areis no guarantees” happened.
Transitional housing and supportive services only programs did not fare well nationally
Some cocs lost millions of dollars from their annual renewal demand (ard)

5. Homeless emergency assistance & rapid transition to housing act (Hearth act)
Amended the mckinney-vento homeless assistance act
Changed the way we do business
Structure of the coc is now codified
Coc responsibilities outlined
Recognition that this is hard work and planning grants are implemented

6. Nofa – participative planning & implementation
Message here is for cocs to adopt a public decision making and meaningful participation throughout the visioning, development and implementation of project funds
Points awarded for to cocs with open invitations to solicit and consider opinions from individuals and organizations with knowledge of homelessness
Points awarded for coordinating with phas

7. Lessons learned over the years
Spirit of collaboration
Cannot succeed in ending homelessness without partnerships
Breakdown silos and fiefdoms and work together
Traditional and non-traditional partners need to be at the table
Engage the citizenry
Get people to public hearings and neighborhood meetings
Don’t try the same old methods that don’t work

8. Buzz words Transparency Engagement Informed citizenry
Holistic approach
Talk the talk – but let’s walk the walk
Teachable moments

9. Quotes of the day
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ― Margaret Mead
oldie but goodie

10. “At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by "I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.” ― Mother Teresa