Eliminating homelessness requires the coordination of public and private sector agencies, and mobilizing partners in our neighborhoods and faith communities. In our region, the NY-501 Regional CoC works to create, support and sustain effective strategies to end homelessness in Steuben, Chemung, Schuyler, Livingston, and Allegany Counties.
The NY-501 is established under the provisions of the federal McKinney-Vento/HEARTH Act. Its role is to supply the framework, oversight and policy for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) OneCPD funded programs that provide prevention, housing and supportive services to homeless and at-risk populations in the Southern Tier of New York.
This approach is based on the understanding that homelessness is not simply a matter of not having shelter or a permanent home—but involves meeting a variety of underlying, unmet needs. Our network of 56 member organizations works in a collaborative fashion to build a system that addresses those needs, removes barriers to housing, and promotes housing stability and self-sufficiency.
The Institute for Human Services serves as the CoC Lead Agency, overseeing the activities of the Continuum. Catholic Charities of Chemung & Schuyler Counties is the HMIS Lead Agency, operating and administering the Continuum’s homelessness database system.
As part of its purpose and mission, the CoC directly: