Member Newsletter: August 19, 2024

Thursday evening held back-to-back Board and Membership meetings, both with full agendas. If you were able to attend, thank you! If not, please see the materials below to stay up to date on all of the important work happening in the CoC. Some highlights from last week's meetings included:

Board Meeting

• The Nominating and Membership Committee was confirmed as recommended and Lance Crawford will serve as Chair
• The Shelter Planning Work Group recommendations were approved as recommended
• The Funding Committee's recommendations for Emergency Solutions Grant 2025 project applications were approved as recommended
• After robust discussion on the Ramada Project Proposal from Friendship for Affordable Housing in partnership with Homeward Bound and the VA Medical Center, the Board voted to move the proposal forward for approval with contingencies in the contract with Homeward Bound. The City's Housing and Community Development Committee will hear a presentation tomorrow, August 20, 2024 at 10 a.m. and City Council will consider the project at their September 10, 2024 meeting. 

Membership Meeting

• The Membership meeting was delayed due to the discussion in the Board meeting, so the agenda and materials covered during the meeting were adjusted.
• Ben Woody, the Assistant City Manager, presented an overview of the Business Improvement District (BID) and answered questions from the Membership. The BID Steering Committee will include a dedicated seat for a CoC Representative and will shape the BID to best meet the needs of the community.

Use the buttons below to view all meeting materials including minutes and slides from both meetings. Please reach out to homelessstrategy@ashevillenc.org with any questions.

Board Meeting

When: Thursday, September 12th 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Where: Harrah's Cherokee Center - Banquet Hall (87 Haywood Street)

Parking + Transportation: Parking for this event can be validated and transportation assistance is available. Please plan to park at any of the city-owned parking garages - you will need to have a paper ticket from the garage or the ability to pay with a credit card in order to use validation. Please ask for a parking validation form at the registration table when you arrive at the meeting. If you need transportation assistance, please email homelessstrategy@ashevillenc.gov or call 828-271-6161.

*Meeting materials will be published seven (7) days in advance of the meeting.

New Members: Attend Orientation

All new CoC members are required to attend a one-hour orientation in order to be eligible to vote during meetings of the full membership. Orientations will be available on an ongoing basis and new dates will be announced as they become available. Please use the button below to view available orientation dates and register. 

Coordinated Entry Work Group

At their meeting on July 10, 2024, the CoC Board moved to appoint a Coordinated Entry Work Group. This work group will work with HUD Technical Assistance providers to address existing gaps and redesign the Coordinated Entry system to better meet the needs of the Asheville-Buncombe County community. 

The interim Nominating and Membership Committee is specifically seeking to add voices that represent:

• Veterans 
• The justice system
• The healthcare system
• Community members who are not providers 

Those interested in participating in the Coordinated Entry Work Group are encouraged to complete the interest form by 5:00 p.m. on August 23, 2024. If you have already submitted an interest form, you do not need to complete the form again. The interim Nominating and Membership Committee will begin reviewing forms on August 26th and will bring a recommended slate for Board confirmation to the September CoC Board Meeting.

FY2024 - FY2025 Continuum of Care Program Notice of Funding Opportunity

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs published the FY2024-FY2025 Continuum of Care (CoC) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on July 31, 2024.  As the designated Lead Agency/Collaborative Applicant for the NC-501 Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care, the City of Asheville’s Homeless Strategy Division will facilitate the application process and final submission to HUD on behalf of the CoC as directed by the CoC Board.

The submission is called the Consolidated Application and consists of two components:

• Continuum of Care Application describing the strategies and progress of the CoC.  This application is completed by Homeless Strategy Division staff and approved by the CoC Board prior to submission.
• Priority Listing that includes all approved project applications in ranked order of priority as approved by the CoC Board. 

The NC-501 Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care is eligible to apply for an estimated $2,474,696 in funding.  Project applications are due Friday, September 20, 2024 by 5:00 p.m. for CoC review, scoring, ranking, and approval.  Full details including application instructions and a timeline are available on the Homeless Strategy Division Funding Opportunities page as well as in the overview document included in the materials below.

NEW THIS YEAR: This NOFO has been issued as a 2-year NOFO for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

Value the Voice of People with Lived Experience

The CoC will invest through coaching, mentoring, and leadership development for people with lived experience who work to end homelessness. People experiencing homelessness will be represented at all decision-making tables, where their perspectives and voices will help shape policies and guidelines in the system.

Member Engagement Voicemail: call 828-271-6161