A Continuum of Care (CoC) is as a network of local stakeholders that works together to reduce homelessness in that area, in the following ways:

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• Development of local strategies and policies

• Training, community education and advocacy

• Assistance with obtaining local funds and capacity

• Ensuring equitable access to scarce resources

• Data tracking of local outcomes and reporting
   

The CoC forms a charter, governing body, committees, and working groups to focus on specific areas of homelessness.

CoC is also a federal funding stream that provides local funding for permanent housing programs, regional planning, homeless database administration, and a centralized housing referral and placement program. 

The NY-603 Long Island Continuum of Care is a network of stakeholders across Suffolk and Nassau counties, and CoC funds support the operations of permanent housing programs for people experiencing homelessness in Suffolk and Nassau.

The goals of a CoC are to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness, reduce the amount of time people experience homelessness, reduce returns to homelessness, and prevent homelessness in the first place whenever possible.
 

The CoC has formed many different committees and working groups to focus on specific aspects of homelessness.
 

The CoC holds monthly public meetings and shares monthly newsletters with updates on homelessness, funding, training, and resources.
 

The CoC conducts an annual homeless count with volunteer teams that survey people living on the street about their situations and needs

The CoC strives to create a network that is diverse and inclusive and includes key stakeholders and decision-makers, as well as community members and people with lived experience of homelessness.