The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), through its Office of Community Planning and Development, is offering the Continuum of Care Competition and Youth Homeless Demonstration Program Grants. This discretionary funding opportunity is intended to advance HUD’s goal of ending homelessness across the United States. It consolidates and expands funding for a broad range of homelessness-related initiatives, particularly focusing on youth, families, survivors of domestic violence, and persons facing unsafe housing situations. The program promotes community-wide strategic approaches to rehousing and supportive services while fostering collaboration among state and local agencies, nonprofits, tribal entities, and public housing authorities.
The funding supports several program types including Permanent Housing (such as Rapid Re-Housing and Permanent Supportive Housing), Transitional Housing, Supportive Services Only projects, and Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS). A significant portion of funds is also allocated to renewal grants, Domestic Violence Bonus projects, and the competitive renewal or replacement of Youth Homeless Demonstration Program (YHDP) projects. The program encourages integrated service delivery, trauma-informed care, partnerships with law enforcement and health agencies, and a coordinated community response. It also prioritizes projects that increase self-sufficiency, reduce public camping, and ensure safer public spaces.
Approximately $3.918 billion is available under this NOFO, including $52 million for DV Bonus projects, $129 million for rural and unsheltered homelessness efforts, and $228 million for YHDP renewals. Up to 7,000 awards are anticipated. Funding durations range from 12 to 60 months. Recipients must provide a 25% match for most costs, with some exceptions for YHDP renewals where waivers are possible based on demonstrated resource limitations.
Eligible applicants include a wide array of public and nonprofit organizations such as state and local governments, tribal entities, public housing authorities, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Faith-based organizations may apply on an equal basis. For-profit organizations and individuals are ineligible. Projects must comply with HUD’s McKinney-Vento Act regulations and the CoC Program Rule (24 CFR Part 578). Applications must be submitted via HUD’s e-snaps portal, and organizations must be registered and active in SAM.gov.
Applicants must submit several forms and certifications through e-snaps, including the SF-424, HUD-2880, HUD-424CB, and other applicable attachments like indirect cost rate documentation or tribal resolutions. Projects will be evaluated based on threshold criteria, merit review, and risk assessment, with scoring driven by alignment with HUD’s goals, past performance, and proposed outcomes. Collaborative Applicants must rank project applications, except for planning or UFA cost applications.
Applications are due no later than 8:00 PM Eastern Time on January 14, 2026. Awards are anticipated by May 1, 2026, with performance periods beginning thereafter. The program is recurring and annual; the next anticipated cycle is expected to open in August 2026. For technical support, applicants are directed to esnaps.hud.gov or grants.gov, and general inquiries can be sent to the NOFO Information Center. HUD encourages timely preparation and thorough review of all submission components to ensure eligibility and competitiveness.
Emphasize coordination with local CoC priorities and evidence-based performance; ensure trauma-informed care design and appropriate eligibility documentation.
