This information was originally distributed via HUD.gov. HUD Exchange is redistributing the information for awareness.

HUD's Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS) is embarking on a second round of the "Racial Equity Demo," a cohort of Continuums of Care (CoCs) that will work together to design more equitable assessment and prioritization processes to improve conditions and outcomes for Black, Brown, Indigenous, and people of color. We are excited to invite you to join this cohort of communities in the second iteration of the Racial Equity Demo.

For years, communities have seen how assessment tools, prioritization processes, and general practices within coordinated entry systems (CES) create racial inequities in the provision of housing and services to clients and do not prioritize clients for appropriate housing in a racially equitable way.

In partnership with Black, Brown, Indigenous, and people of color as well as people with lived expertise, 8-10 CoCs will identify system disparities through local data, agree upon focus area(s), and test racially equitable CES processes in service of significantly transforming the experience and housing stability of those disproportionately represented in our homeless response systems.

Next Steps

Communities interested in joining Cohort Two should do the following:

• Review the SNAPS Coordinated Entry Equity Demonstration: Cohort Two Information Packet
• Submit your Expression of Interest no later than 8:00 PM EDT on September 3, 2021 to SNAPSInfo@hud.gov

Questions?

Please direct all questions to SNAPSInfo@hud.gov.

SNAPS Mailing List Subscription

SNAPS is now using two different listservs to communicate competition and program updates:

• Subscribe to the HUD.gov listserv for information developed by HUD/SNAPS regarding the CoC program, ESG program, YHDP, Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) developed by SNAPS, and any other information related to SNAPS programs and the work to end homelessness.
  • Sign up for SNAPS Competition Information
  • Sign up for SNAPS Program Information
     
• Subscribe to the HUD Exchange listserv for information and guidance produced by HUD technical assistance providers regarding SNAPS programs.
  • Sign up for HUD Exchange updates

SNAPS grantees and interested stakeholders should consider subscribing both to the HUD Exchange mailing list and HUD.gov mailing lists. Please communicate this information to your homeless organizations, local government contacts, and other interested stakeholders.