FY 2026 Continuum of Care Competition and Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program Grants NOFO

The Continuum of Care Program and Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program are administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through its Office of Community Planning and Development. These programs represent a central federal investment in addressing homelessness across the United States, supporting coordinated community-based responses. The Continuum of Care Program focuses broadly on ending homelessness among individuals and families, while the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program specifically targets youth populations aged 24 and younger. Together, these initiatives aim to foster systemic solutions that integrate housing, supportive services, and prevention strategies. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to promote a community-wide commitment to ending homelessness while improving access to housing and supportive services. The programs support efforts by nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, public housing agencies, and tribal entities to rapidly rehouse individuals experiencing homelessness. Special emphasis is placed on populations facing heightened vulnerability, including survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, as well as youth experiencing homelessness. The demonstration component further seeks to develop replicable models that can be scaled nationally. Funding provided through this opportunity may be used for a wide range of housing and service-related activities. These include rapid rehousing initiatives, supportive housing development, coordination of services, and efforts to increase access to mainstream benefits. Programs are expected to minimize trauma and dislocation caused by homelessness and to support long-term self-sufficiency among participants. Applicants must align proposed activities with federal regulations governing the Continuum of Care Program, including eligible costs outlined in applicable federal code provisions. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is broad and inclusive of a wide range of public and nonprofit entities. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, public housing authorities, tribal governments and tribally designated housing entities, and institutions of higher education. However, individuals, foreign entities, and sole proprietorships are not eligible. Applicants must meet regulatory eligibility requirements and demonstrate the capacity to implement housing and service programs effectively within their communities. The application process requires electronic submission through the e-snaps system, HUD’s designated platform for Continuum of Care funding. Applicants must prepare and submit detailed proposals that outline project design, target populations, implementation strategies, and expected outcomes. While specific application components are not detailed in the summary, proposals are typically evaluated based on alignment with program goals, community impact, and capacity to deliver services effectively. The application window for this funding opportunity opened on June 1, 2026, and closes on August 26, 2026, at 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Applicants must ensure timely submission through the required platform, as late submissions are not accepted. Questions regarding the funding opportunity must be directed to the program’s official email contact. While the notice does not specify award notification timelines or performance periods, these are typically outlined in the full program guidance and may vary by project type. This funding opportunity is part of an ongoing federal effort, suggesting that similar competitions are conducted regularly, although recurrence details are not explicitly stated in the provided information. With substantial total program funding and a large number of anticipated awards, this opportunity represents a significant source of federal support for communities working to address homelessness through coordinated and evidence-based approaches.