Continuum of Care (CoC) Funding

The Continuum of Care (CoC) program is a federally-funded initiative by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) designed to:

• promote a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness;
• provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, States, Indian Tribes or Tribally Designated Housing Entities, and local governments to quicky rehouse individuals and families experiencing homelessness, persons experiencing trauma or a lack of safety related to fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and youth experiencing homelessness while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused by homelessness;
• promote access to, and effective utilization of, mainstream programs and programs funded with State or local resources; and
• optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Our local Continuum of Care is known as TN-502, and includes Knoxville and Knox County.

FY2026 CoC Funding Competition

Important Funding Competition Update

On August 7, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island vacated HUD's Fiscal Year 2026 Continuum of Care (CoC) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). As a result of the court's order, the FY2026 CoC NOFO and its application deadline are no longer in effect, and HUD is not currently accepting applications under the NOFO.

HUD has indicated that it is evaluating the court's decision and considering its legal options, including a potential appeal. HUD has not yet issued further guidance regarding the FY2026 CoC funding process.

TN-502 Local Competition Status

Prior to the court's decision, the Knoxville-Knox County Continuum of Care (TN-502) completed its local application and Rank & Review process in preparation for HUD's FY2026 competition.

Because the federal NOFO has been vacated, TN-502 has paused the remainder of its FY2026 local competition and will not proceed with submission of a Collaborative Application or Priority Listing unless and until HUD issues new guidance.

OHS will continue to monitor developments from HUD and the courts and will communicate any changes affecting TN-502 applicants and CoC-funded programs as additional information becomes available.

Agencies are encouraged to monitor this page and the CoC email distribution list for updates. Agencies interested in joining the distribution list should contact Brittany Rosette-Jones at Brittany.Rosette-Jones@knoxtnhousing.org.

FY2026 Local Competition Materials

The materials below were used for TN-502's FY2026 local application and Rank & Review process and are being maintained here for reference and transparency.

Housing and Service Project Applications

2026 CoC Applicant Questionnaire TN-502

2026 CoC Applicant Scoring Guide TN-502

HMIS Project Applications

2026 CoC HMIS Project Applicant Questionnaire

2026 CoC HMIS Application Scoring and Rating Criteria

Completed materials should be emailed to Arielle.Benson@knoxtnhousing.org and erin.read@knoxtnhousing.org for submission

Agencies are encouraged to monitor this page and the CoC email distribution list for updates.

Resources for Existing CoC Programs

HUD has also released guidance to assist existing CoC-funded projects in preparing for renewal applications and ongoing grant management activities.

• Renewal Project Preparation Guide