Northwest NC-516
CoC Funding
Northwest North Carolina Continuum of Care (NC 516)
CoC Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
Request for Letters of Intent
FY 2026 CoC Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
Letters of Intent from Providers for NOFO funds due Tuesday, June 23 by 5:00 pm
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On June 1 the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published the FY 2026 HUD CoC Program Competition Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) and can be accessed at https://www.hud.gov/hud-partners/community-coc
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It is highly important that all new and renewal applicants read the NOFO, as there are many changes from previous competitions. FY2026 CoC Program NOFO (available for download through grants.gov)
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The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program is 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 [as defined in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103) (TDHEs)], and local governments to quickly rehouse individuals and families experiencing homelessness, persons experiencing trauma or a lack of safety related to, or 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. The goal of the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) is to support the development and implementation of a coordinated community approach to preventing and ending youth homelessness and sharing that experience with and mobilizing communities around the country toward the same end. The population to be served by the demonstration program is youth ages 24 and younger who are experiencing homelessness, including unaccompanied and pregnant or parenting youth.
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The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has not certified the exact funding available for the FY 2026 Competition for Northwest CoC at this time. Please refer to additional resources on the HUD https://www.hud.gov/hud-partners/community-coc and the HUD Exchange e-snaps Resources page for updates to competition information released by HUD.
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Agencies that wish to apply for CoC funding for eligible activities are requested to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI). An LOI is not required to submit a CoC Project Application but is encouraged. Any agency interested in requesting CoC funding for eligible activities is asked to submit a Letter of Intent. This announcement serves as an opportunity for agencies to ask questions, receive guidance, and consult with NC 516 Lead on the requirements of CoC funding in advance of the annual CoC NOFO process and the Northwest CoC Consolidated Application submission for FY 2026-27.
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Eligible Applicants: Eligible Entity Types include State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), and Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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A faith-based organization may apply on the same basis as any other organization, subject to the requirements in 24 CFR 5.109.
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Additional Information on Eligibility: You cannot apply as an individual. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply for grants or to be subrecipients of grant funds. To be eligible for funding under the FY 2026 Continuum of Care and Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program Grants NOFO, project applicants must meet all statutory and regulatory requirements in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, (42 U.S.C. 11381 11389) (the Act) and the CoC Program Rule found in 24 CFR part 578 (the Rule).
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ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN SUBMIT A LETTER OF INTENT:
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Serve persons residing in the Northwest CoC Geographic Service Area (Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey counties)
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Agencies that can/will meet the NC 516 Continuum of Care participation requirements (including but not limited to Coordinated Entry and CoC Governance participation Minimum 75% attendance)
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Is prepared to utilize or already utilizing the Homeless Management Information System to record client level data (or an HMIS comparable database if a Victim Service Provider)
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FULL NOFO DETAILS HERE: FY 2026 Continuum of Care Competition and Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program Grants NOFO
LETTERS OF INTENT TO INCLUDE:
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Agency Information:
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Name of Organization
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Contact Person for this Project: Name, Title, Phone, Email
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System for Award Management (SAM) Registration/UEI Number (if known)
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Organization Description and History (Max 200 words)
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Proposed Area of Service
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Statement of agencies ability to use the Homeless Management Information System to record client level data (or an HMIS comparable database if Victim Service Provider).​
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All information must be submitted on agency letterhead. Letters of intent may be sent electronically or by mail by Tuesday June 23 by 5:00 p.m.
Lori Watts
Vice-Chair, Steering Committee of the NC 516 Northwest NC Continuum of Care
200 Ridgefield Court, Suite 218, Asheville, NC 28806
O 828-463-8208 | F 828-452-3743
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NOTE: Final date for submitting Consolidated Application to HUD is August 26, 2026
Northwest North Carolina Continuum of Care (NC 516)
Emergency Solutions Grant FY 2026-27
Request for Applications
Project Applications due July 15, 2026 by 8:00 pm
Regional Application due August 24, 2026 by 5:00 pm
The Northwest North Carolina Continuum of Care (NC 516 CoC), serving Watauga, Ashe, Avery, Wilkes, Alleghany, Mitchell and Yancey counties is charged by the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) to submit a community-wide application (a Regional Application) for Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds on behalf of the NW Continuum of Care. Agencies that wish to apply for ESG funding for eligible activities were requested to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) by Friday, June 12th, 2026, but an LOI is not required to submit a Project Application for consideration. ESG Project Applications for NC 516 and all required attachments must be sent electronically by Thursday, July 15, 2026 by 8:00 pm to: Lori.Watts@vayahealth.com.
The NC 516 Review, Ranking, and Selection subcommittee will notify agencies of funding recommendations and/or rejection or inclusion in the NC 516 Regional Application submission no later than August 10, 2026. Any agency recommended for ESG funding for eligible activities must submit a completed Project Application for ESG eligible activities and all required attachments via the ESG Office Smartsheet by Wednesday, August 19, 2026, 5:00 pm. The NC 516 Regional Application must be submitted on behalf of NC 516 to the ESG Office by Monday, August 24, 2026 by 5:00 pm.
This announcement serves as the opportunity for agencies to apply for funding through the FY 2026-27 ESG funding competition. Projects must meet all requirements and be ready to proceed with ESG funded activities by January 1, 2027. Agencies that have submitted an LOI or may be interested in submitting a project application for FY 2026-27 are strongly encouraged to attend one of the ESG Office information/instructional technical assistance sessions.
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Friday, June 12, 9:30am-11:30am:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8001458832263147353
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Monday, June 15, 1pm-3pm:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1608800371838627158
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Thursday, June 18, 9:30am-11:30am:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5453364824148105560
Information about ESG activities and requirements can be found at HUD Exchange, Emergency Solutions Grant Program: www.hudexchange.info/esg/ and at NC DHHS https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/aging-and-adult-services/nc-emergency-solutions-grant RFA Application Documents on the NC DHHS_DAAS Grant Opportunities website located at: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/about/grant-opportunities/aging-and-adult-services-grant-opportunities
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ESG FUNDED PROJECTS ARE DESIGNED TO:
∙ Engage homeless individuals and families living on the street;
∙ Help operate emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families;
∙ Provide essential services to shelter residents;
∙ Rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families; and
∙ Prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless
ESG ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES:
∙ Street Outreach
∙ Emergency Shelter
∙ Rapid Re-Housing assistance
∙ Homelessness Prevention
∙ Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) or Comparable database*
*eligible activity only if in conjunction with another ESG funded eligible activity
The amount that each Continuum of Care / Local Planning Area is eligible to apply for is the “NC ESG Fair Share''. Northwest CoC Fair Share for FY 2026-27 is $126,587. No more than 60% of total funds of the Fair Share for NC 516 may be used for Emergency Services (Street Outreach and Emergency Shelter). While there is a maximum percentage for Emergency Services, there is no maximum for Housing Stability (Rapid Re-Housing, Targeted Prevention and HMIS). This means NC 516 may choose to apply for the full 60% of Emergency Response funding or use some of that funding for Housing Stability Activities. The chart below shows the funding that NC 516 may apply for during the FY2026-27 competition and the prescribed limits for each category.
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ESG Fair Share: NC 516 Emergency Services (60% max.) Housing Stability (40% min.)
$126,587 $75,952 $50,635
WHO CAN SUBMIT A PROJECT APPLICATION:
Non-Profit and Local Government Entities that:
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Serve persons residing in NW CoC Geographic Service Area: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery,
Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey counties. -
Utilize a Low-Barrier approach (Low-Barrier is a model of housing assistance that prioritizes rapid placement and stabilization in permanent housing that does not have service participation requirements or preconditions-such as sobriety or a minimum income threshold).
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Agencies that can/will meet the NC 516 Continuum of Care participation requirements (including but not limited to Coordinated Entry and CoC Governance participation, minimum 75% attendance per year).
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Is prepared to utilize/already utilizing the Homeless Management Information System to record client level data (or HMIS comparable database if Victim Services Provider).
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SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:
All Project Applications and the required attachments must be received electronically by Wednesday, July 15, 2026 by 8:00 pm. Project Applications submitted after the deadline will not be reviewed or considered. Incomplete Project Applications may not be considered for funding. Agencies that are not recommended for funding will be provided a written explanation for the reason(s) for not being recommended and will be offered support and technical assistance to improve deficiencies identified during the letter of interest/application process. Agencies have the right to appeal funding recommendation decisions by submitting a formal written letter within 5 business days of being notified by the Project Review Committee of the NW CoC which will respond in writing within 2 business days of receipt of the agency’s written appeal.
ESG Project Applications for NC 516 and all required attachments must be sent electronically by Wednesday, July 15, 2026 by 8:00 pm to:
Lori Watts
Vice-Chair, Steering Committee of the NC 516 Northwest NC Continuum of Care Lori.Watts@vayahealth.com
200 Ridgefield Court, Suite 218, Asheville, NC 28806
O 828-463-8208 | F 828-452-3743
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ATTACHMENTS
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Northwest North Carolina Continuum of Care (NC 516)
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
Request for Letters of Intent
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FY 2025-26 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program
Letters of Intent from Providers for ESG funds due Friday, June 12, 2026, by 5:00 pm
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The Northwest North Carolina Continuum of Care (NC 516) is charged by the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) to submit a community-wide application (a Regional Application) for Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds annually. Agencies that wish to apply for ESG funding for eligible activities are requested to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) by Friday, June 12, 2026, by 5:00 pm.
An LOI is not required to submit an ESG project application but is encouraged. Any agency interested in requesting ESG funding for eligible activities is asked to submit a Letter of Intent indicating which activity or activities they intend to apply for in the ESG Request for Applications. This announcement serves as the opportunity for agencies to ask questions, receive guidance, and consult with NC 516 Lead on the requirements of ESG funding in advance of the annual RFA process and the Northwest ESG Regional Application submission for FY 2026-27.
For questions, guidance, or consultation please contact:
Tina B. Krause
Lead NC-516, Northwest Continuum of Care
Mailing Address: PO Box 309 Boone NC 28607
Physical Address: 160 Den Mac Dr. Boone, NC 28607
O 828-264-1237: F 828-386-1091
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Information about ESG activities and requirements can be found at HUD Exchange, Emergency Solutions Grant Program www.hudexchange.info/esg/ or at the NC DHHS page at
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/aging-and-adult-services/nc-emergency-solutions-grant .
An agency must have operating funds to pay ESG eligible expenses and request reimbursement from the NC ESG Program 45 days after the last day of the billing month.
ELIGIBLE ESG ACTIVITIES:
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·Street Outreach
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Emergency Shelter
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Rapid Re-Housing
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Homelessness Prevention
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Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) or Comparable Database*
*an eligible activity only if in conjunction with another eligible activity funded by ESG
The NC DHHS will allow the Northwest CoC to apply for $126,587 based on funding availability for FY 2026-27.
The due date for the final Northwest CoC Regional Application submission is August 24, 2026, by 5:00 pm
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ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN SUBMIT A LETTER OF INTENT:
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Serve persons residing in the Northwest CoC Geographic Service Area (Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey counties);
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Utilize a Low-Barrier approach (Low-Barrier is a model of housing assistance that prioritizes rapid placement and stabilization in permanent housing that does not have service participation requirements or preconditions-such as sobriety or a minimum income threshold);
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Agencies that can/will meet the NC 516 Continuum of Care participation requirements (including but not limited to Coordinated Entry and CoC Governance participation, minimum 75% attendance per
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Is prepared to utilize or already utilizing the Homeless Management Information System to record client level data (or an HMIS comparable database if a Victim Service Provider).
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
All Letters of Intent may be sent electronically or by mail by Friday, June 12, 2026, by 5:00 pm to:
Lori Watts
Vice-Chair NC-516, Northwest NC Continuum of Care
Mailing Address: 200 Ridgefield Court, Suite 218, Asheville, NC 28806
O 828-463-8208
F 828-452-3743
Please share with other agencies who may be interested in submitting a 2026-27 application for Emergency Solutions Grant this request for Letters of Intent