NWCoC Resources

The Northwest Minnesota Continuum of Care is now accepting applications for the 2023 annual Notice of Funding Opportunity for the CoC Program Competition.

The Northwest Minnesota Continuum of Care is now accepting applications for eligible renewal projects as listed on the 2023 Grant Inventory Worksheet and for new projects created through reallocation, CoC bonus, and/or DV bonus funding. Agencies who have not previously received CoC funding are encouraged to apply.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, governmental entities, and public housing agencies with projects aimed at addressing homelessness in the region.

The Northwest Continuum of Care is required to hold a local CoC Program Competition to evaluate, select and rank all projects the NWCoC wants to include in the region’s national consolidated application to HUD.

Notification of Intent to Apply is due August 4th, 2023, and full project applications are due August 25th, 2023.

Total funding available through HUD is expected to be around $1.5 million for the Northwest Continuum of Care’s region.

• 2023 Board Approved Project Priority Listing
• 2023 Board Approved Collaborative Application

Application materials:

• 2023 Annual NOFO Document
• Application Timeline and Detailed Instructions
• NWCoC Intent to Apply Form (Due August 4th, 2023)
• NWCoC Project Application (Due August 25th, 2023)
• NWCoC Reallocation Policy
• NWCoC Housing First Assessment
• NWCoC Housing First Policy
• NWCoC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• NWCoC Appeal Process
• Scoring Criteria
• 2023 Grant Inventory Worksheet (GIW)

• 2019 NOFA Ranking
• NW HUD CoC Awards ’14-’18
• 2020 Certification of Consistency Request For

• Northwest Region map
• 2023 NWCoC Calendar
• 2023 Members, Board, and Committees

• NWCoC Governance Charter
• ESG and CoC Administration Policies
• NWCoC CES Policy Manual

• NWCoC Full Board 3-2023
• NWCoC Full Board 12-2022

• NWCoC Executive 4-2023
• NWCoC Executive 2-2023
• NWCoC Executive 1-2023

The Northwest Coordinated Entry System (CES) is not a program, but a way of providing service. Utilizing progressive engagement, CES provides multiple points for access and assessment, while maintaining standardized processes and tools to improve linkage to mainstream and homeless services.

In HUD’s vision, the coordinated entry process is an approach to coordination and management of a crisis response system’s resources that allows users to make consistent decisions from available information to efficiently and effectively connect people to interventions that will rapidly end their homelessness.

CES will help our CoC better identify, document and evaluate system needs, as well as prioritize limited resources, assuring those who are most in need of services are prioritized for services. The CES in the NWCoC serves at the Homelessness Response System to accomplish the goals of the NWCoC to end homelessness.

Coordinated entry is . . .

• A client centered and uniform process for improving system-wide entry and referrals.
• An intervention designed to provide more rapid and simplified access to housing.
• A system which prioritizes limited resources to those who need it most.
• A system using real-time and region-wide data to inform current and future services.

• Access, Assessment & Housing Sites in Northwest Minnesota

• Active Listening Guide
• Diversion and Rapid Resolution Assessment
• Minnesota Homeless Prevention Assessment Tool
• NWCoC Coordinated Entry Assessment
• NWCoC Coordinated Entry Receipt and ROI
• HMIS Release of Information
• NWCoC Question Guide
• Coordinated Entry System Flyer
• HH Info Sheet for Diversion Intake form

Approved Policy

• NWCoC CES Policy Manual
• CES State Policy on Transfers

NWCoC CES Procedure Manual

• NWCoC CES Procedure Manual
• Access and Assessment
• Prioritization and Placement
• Appendix A System Map
• Appendix B Training Access
• Appendix C Diversion and Coordinated Entry Data Instructions
• Appendix D Case Conferencing Outline
• Appendix E Coordinated Entry Referral Process
• Appendix F Referral Workflow Map
• Appendix G CE Assessor Agency Check Report Instructions

Agency & Staff Agreements

• CES Inter-Agency Data Sharing Agreement
• Coordinated Entry Participation Agreement

See Appendix B Training Access under “NWCoC CES Procedure Manual” for additional training information.

Please note: If you are completing this training to gain access to the NWCoC Coordinated Entry System, please contact the NWCoC Priority List Manager before starting the training.

1. The “Why”

This training will assist in understanding “why” we have a homeless response system and why we collaborate and work together across the region.

• Video HERE  (appx. 1:15:00)
• Slides HERE

2. NWCoC Training Overview and Key Materials

This training will provide an overview of the training materials specific to the NWCoC Coordinated Entry System.

• Video HERE  (appx. 7:45)
• Slides HERE

3. NWCoC System Overview

This training will provide an overview of the NWCoC Coordinated Entry System and the key phases of working with clients through the system.

• Video HERE  (appx. 28:30)
• Slides HERE

4. NWCoC Overview of Forms

This training provides an overview of the forms used to collect assessment data for the NWCoC Coordinated Entry System.

• Video HERE  (appx. 18:30)
• Slides HERE

5. Access and Assessment

This training provides in-depth and detailed instruction on the Access and Assessment phases of the Coordinated Entry System.

• Video HERE  (appx. 28:30)
• Slides HERE

6. Prioritization and Placement (Referral)

This training provides an in-depth and detailed instruction on the Prioritization and Placement phases of the Coordinated Entry System.

• Video HERE  (appx 31:00)
• Slides HERE

7. Project Transfers, Moving On, and Waivers

This training provides information on project transfers, the CoC’s moving on procedures, and waivers from system requirements.

Additional Training

• MPAT Training Documents (Sept. 2019)
• NWCoC – PHA Emergency Housing Voucher Info Session Slides
• NWCOC – PHA Emergency Housing Voucher Info Session Video

• Video HERE  (appx. 5:30)
• Slides HERE

HMIS CES webpage:  http://hmismn.org/coordinated-entry

For information about the HUD CES requirements click here.

Wilder Research has conducted a statewide study of homelessness since 1991.

The study is a point-in-time survey of people throughout the state who meet the federal definition of homelessness. It includes counts and estimates of the number of people who are homeless, and a survey of homeless people. The survey is conducted every three years on the last Thursday in October at emergency shelters, domestic violence shelters, transitional housing programs, social service agencies, encampments and abandoned buildings. About two-thirds of the interviews take place in the Twin Cities area.

The information gathered from the survey is the primary source of descriptive data on the causes and circumstances of people who become homeless and is the only source of data on homeless people not in some type of shelter. Findings are used to provide an accurate picture of homelessness in Minnesota and to promote efforts to create permanent, affordable housing for all Minnesotans.

The statewide survey grew out of a survey of homelessness first conducted in Saint Paul in 1984. Since its inception, the study has relied on the efforts of service providers, homeless advocates, government agency workers, and volunteers to successfully plan and conduct the face-to-face interviews. It is funded by a private-public partnership including the State of Minnesota and private foundations. We also receive help from corporations, who provide volunteers and in-kind donations.

A companion study is conducted on Minnesota’s American Indian reservations in partnership with several Minnesota tribes.

• Volunteer Interview Training
• Visit the Wilder Website

• MN HMIS Point in Time Count Page
• NWCoC 2023 PIT Training
• NWCoC 2023 PIT Training Video
• Day One (Domestic Violence): 1-866-223-1111
• Veterans Registry:1-888-546-5838
• Veterans Registry link
• Veterans Contacts

• 2022 Point-in-Time Counts
• 2020 Point-in-Time Counts
• 2019 Point-in-Time Counts
• 2018 PIT HDX Report – Northwest
• 2018 PIT HDX Subpopulation Report – Northwest
• Northwest Annual PIT-HIC Comparison
• 2016 HUD PIT Report