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The Texas Continuum of Care programs are the state's primary framework for organizing and delivering housing and services to individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This system, a coordinated effort between federal, state, and local entities, provides a structured pathway to stable housing. For those seeking assistance, the most critical first step is connecting with the local Coordinated Entry system, which serves as the single access point to a network of resources designed to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. This resource provides a detailed overview of this system, from its foundational principles and governance structure to the specific types of assistance available and a directory of lead agencies across the state.
For any individual or family in Texas facing a housing crisis, understanding where to begin is paramount. The entire system of homeless services is designed to funnel through a single, standardized starting point in each community.
A Statewide, Collaborative Approach
The network of Texas Continuum of Care programs represents a statewide, collaborative approach to addressing homelessness. It is a formal system funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and implemented by local planning bodies. The ultimate goal is to provide not just temporary shelter but a clear path toward permanent, stable housing and self-sufficiency.
The Importance of Coordinated Entry (CE)
The single most important action for anyone seeking help is to connect with their local Coordinated Entry (CE) system. Coordinated Entry is the designated "front door" to homeless services in every region of Texas. This model was created to solve the problem of a fragmented and confusing landscape of different agencies with different rules.
The CE system creates a "no wrong door" approach, where contacting any one participating agency—known as an Entry Point—connects an individual to the entire community's network of housing resources. This shifts the logistical work of finding the right program from the person in crisis to the system itself.
The Initial Assessment Process
Upon contacting a CE Entry Point, an individual will speak with a trained assessor. The first step is often a problem-solving conversation known as Diversion. The goal of diversion is to explore immediate solutions that might prevent the need for shelter, such as family mediation or one-time financial help.
If homelessness cannot be avoided, the assessor will conduct a standardized assessment. This detailed conversation helps to understand a person's situation, health challenges, and housing history. The results are used to determine the most appropriate type of housing intervention and to prioritize households with the most severe needs.
The Continuum of Care (CoC) is a comprehensive, community-based framework mandated by the federal government. It creates a strategic and systematic response to homelessness.
Federal Mandate and Origins
The CoC model is a direct result of federal legislation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Its roots are in the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, the first major federal law to address homelessness. HUD later required localities to submit a single, comprehensive application for funding to encourage strategic planning.
This requirement was expanded by the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act of 2009. The HEARTH Act consolidated several programs into the single Continuum of Care Program, making the CoC the primary structure for federal homeless assistance funding.
Core Mission and Principles
The fundamental mission of the CoC program is to foster a community-wide commitment to ending homelessness. It provides funding to nonprofits and state and local governments to quickly re-house individuals and families. A central tenet is to improve access to mainstream programs like healthcare and veterans' benefits to help people achieve long-term stability.
The entire CoC framework is built on a set of core principles that dictate how local systems must operate. This structure is a condition of receiving federal funding and compels local providers to work together toward shared goals.
The implementation of the CoC framework in Texas is shaped by the state's vast geography. The system is a mosaic of large urban networks and a massive collaborative entity for smaller and rural communities.
The Statewide Network of CoCs
Texas is divided into 12 distinct Continuum of Care regions. Most are focused on major metropolitan centers, such as the CoCs for Houston (TX-700), Dallas (TX-600), San Antonio (TX-500), and Austin (TX-503). These urban CoCs typically cover one or a few densely populated counties.
The Texas Balance of State CoC (TX BoS CoC - TX-607)
The most unique CoC is the Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care, which covers 215 of Texas's 254 counties. It was created to serve rural counties and smaller cities that lack the resources to form their own CoC. This structure ensures that even remote counties are part of a formal homeless response system.
Key Organizations and Their Roles
Understanding the key institutional actors is essential for navigating the Texas CoC landscape.
Local Governance Structure
To manage the vastness of the system, governance is further decentralized to local bodies.
Coordinated Entry is the operational heart of the Continuum of Care system. It is the standardized process for accessing housing and homeless services across Texas.
The "No Wrong Door" Principle
The design of Coordinated Entry is based on the "no wrong door" principle. This means an individual in crisis can go to any participating service provider and get connected to the entire local network of resources. This eliminates the need to go from agency to agency to find help.
The Four Steps of Coordinated Entry
The Continuum of Care program funds a range of interventions designed to meet diverse needs, guided by the "Housing First" philosophy.
The "Housing First" Philosophy
Modern homeless response systems in Texas operate under the Housing First model. This evidence-based approach prioritizes providing immediate access to permanent housing with no preconditions, such as sobriety. The core belief is that people are better able to address other challenges once they have the stability of a home. Supportive services are offered but are voluntary.
Core Program Components (Funded by HUD)
The primary types of assistance available through Texas CoC programs are defined by HUD.
Comprehensive Supportive Services
Supportive services are what help people maintain housing and thrive. Services are tailored to individual needs and can include:
Connecting with the correct local Continuum of Care is the first step to accessing the Coordinated Entry system. Below is a directory of the lead agencies for the primary CoCs across Texas.
TX-500: San Antonio/Bexar County CoC
TX-503: Austin/Travis County CoC
TX-600: Dallas City & County, Irving CoC
TX-601: Fort Worth, Arlington/Tarrant County CoC
TX-603: El Paso City and County CoC
TX-604: Waco/McLennan County CoC
TX-607: Texas Balance of State CoC
TX-611: Amarillo CoC
TX-624: Wichita Falls/Wise, Palo Pinto, Wichita, Archer Counties CoC
TX-700: Houston, Pasadena, Conroe/Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery Counties CoC
TX-701: Bryan, College Station/Brazos Valley CoC
A Texas Continuum of Care (CoC) is a regional planning body that coordinates housing and services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. It's not a single agency but a coalition of local providers working together to access federal HUD funding and streamline homeless assistance.
Individuals access help through a system called Coordinated Entry. Instead of contacting multiple agencies, you contact one central access point in your area. This process assesses your needs and connects you to the most appropriate housing and services available within that CoC.
Eligibility is primarily for people who are literally homeless (e.g., in a shelter, car, or on the street) or fleeing domestic violence. Programs often prioritize those with the most severe needs, such as the chronically homeless, veterans, or families with children.
No, individuals seeking help do not "apply" to the CoC itself. The CoC is the high-level planning group. You get help by contacting your local CoC's Coordinated Entry access point, which is run by one of its partner service providers, or by calling 2-1-1.
The Texas Balance of State CoC covers 215 counties in Texas, primarily rural and suburban areas that do not have their own large, metropolitan CoC. It coordinates services and funding for a vast geographic area, ensuring smaller communities have access to homeless assistance resources.
A homeless shelter is a single organization that provides temporary, emergency lodging. A Continuum of Care is the entire network that coordinates many different agencies, including shelters, rapid re-housing programs, and permanent supportive housing, to create a seamless system of support.
The simplest way to find your local access point for homeless services is by dialing 2-1-1 anywhere in Texas. They can provide you with the correct contact information for the Coordinated Entry system serving your specific county or city.
Rapid re-housing is a key service offered through Texas Continuum of Care programs. It provides short-term rental assistance and supportive services to help individuals and families who are homeless move quickly out of shelters and into permanent housing.
Texas has multiple CoCs. Major metropolitan areas like Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth/Tarrant County, Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso each have their own. The rest of the state is largely covered by the extensive Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care (TX BoS CoC).
Permanent supportive housing is another component of Texas CoC programs, designed for individuals with long-term disabilities who have experienced chronic homelessness. It combines ongoing, affordable housing assistance with intensive supportive services like healthcare and case management to ensure long-term stability.
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