Louisiana's Balance of State Continuum of Care FY 2024 Local Competition: What You Need to Know

As we enter FY 2024, Louisiana continues its commitment to addressing homelessness across the state through the Balance of State Continuum of Care (BoS CoC) program. This initiative, which provides funding for local organizations, aims to support homeless services and housing programs. For those interested in participating in the FY 2024 Local Competition, this blog will provide a comprehensive overview of what the program entails and what applicants need to know.

What is the Balance of State Continuum of Care?

The Balance of State Continuum of Care (BoS CoC) is part of a larger federal effort to tackle homelessness by funding local initiatives. Administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the BoS CoC program in Louisiana focuses on areas outside of major cities, including rural and smaller communities. It’s designed to help organizations provide housing solutions, supportive services, and systems that reduce the risk of homelessness.

Through BoS CoC, HUD encourages collaboration among local governments, nonprofits, and service providers to implement coordinated, community-based approaches. The ultimate goal is to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.

What is the FY 2024 Local Competition?

Each fiscal year, Louisiana's BoS CoC runs a local competition as part of HUD's national CoC program competition. This process allows local organizations to apply for funding that supports efforts like permanent housing, rapid rehousing, and other homelessness prevention services.

The FY 2024 Local Competition is an opportunity for Louisiana-based nonprofits, housing authorities, and other service providers to apply for grants that can support their efforts to reduce homelessness. Projects submitted must align with HUD's priorities, which include:

Ending homelessness for veterans, individuals, and families
Improving access to affordable housing
Promoting racial equity and inclusion in housing services
Expanding rapid rehousing programs and permanent supportive housing

Organizations can apply for funding to continue existing projects or for new initiatives designed to fill critical gaps in services.

Key Points for FY 2024 Applicants

Here’s a breakdown of essential information for those planning to participate in the FY 2024 competition:

1. Eligibility

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, public housing authorities, and state or local government agencies. Organizations must be capable of carrying out housing programs and providing essential supportive services to homeless populations.

2. Program Priorities

HUD and the BoS CoC prioritize certain project types for funding. These include:

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH): Designed for individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness, PSH provides long-term housing with support services.
Rapid Rehousing (RRH): Offers short-term rental assistance and services to quickly rehouse individuals and families.
Transitional Housing: Provides temporary housing combined with supportive services to help individuals move to permanent housing.
Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS): Grants are also available to support the implementation and management of HMIS, which tracks data on homelessness in the region.

3. Application Process

The local competition includes several steps, from submitting letters of intent to full project applications. Applicants will need to:

Attend training sessions and workshops hosted by the Louisiana BoS CoC.
Submit a letter of intent (LOI) by the given deadline.
Complete and submit a full application through HUD’s electronic grants management system.
Participate in a review process where applications are scored based on alignment with HUD’s priorities

4. Important Deadlines

Applicants must stay up-to-date with key deadlines. The BoS CoC typically provides a timeline for submission, which includes:

LOI submission deadline
Application submission deadline
Review periods and anticipated notification dates

5. Scoring and Selection

Applications are reviewed and scored by a panel of experts in housing and homelessness services. Projects are ranked based on criteria such as the organization’s capacity, the project’s alignment with HUD goals, and the ability to deliver effective outcomes. Selected projects are submitted to HUD for final consideration and potential funding.

How to Maximize Your Chances of Success

To improve your organization’s chances of securing funding, here are some tips:

Know HUD’s Priorities: Align your project with HUD’s strategic objectives, such as expanding housing services for vulnerable populations, enhancing racial equity, and providing effective support services.
Collaborate: Build partnerships with other local organizations to strengthen your application. Collaborative projects that demonstrate a unified community approach to ending homelessness are often viewed more favorably.
Attend Workshops: Make sure your team participates in the training and workshops offered by the BoS CoC to better understand the application process and scoring system.
Submit a Strong LOI: Craft a clear and concise Letter of Intent that demonstrates your project’s potential impact and capacity to deliver measurable outcomes.
Provide Data-Driven Outcomes: Include metrics and data that support your project’s success in previous years or forecasted impact for new projects.

Conclusion

Louisiana’s Balance of State Continuum of Care FY 2024 Local Competition offers a vital opportunity for organizations to access funding that can make a real difference in the fight against homelessness. By understanding the program’s goals, aligning projects with HUD’s priorities, and submitting a strong application, local organizations can secure the resources they need to continue providing essential services to those in need.

For more information on the BoS CoC FY 2024 Local Competition, be sure to visit the official Louisiana BoS CoC website and keep track of important deadlines. Here is the link: https://www.lhc.la.gov/press-releases/louisiana-balance-of-state-continuum-of-care-fy-2024-local-competition

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice or consultation. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information at the time of publication, laws, regulations, and program guidelines related to the Balance of State Continuum of Care (BoS CoC) FY 2024 Local Competition may change. We recommend consulting with relevant local authorities, legal counsel, or official sources before making any decisions or submitting applications. We are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on this content.