Coordinated Entry Policies & Standards
Coordinated Entry is a system in which all homeless assistance programs work together to ensure that services are accessible and well-targeted to the immediate needs of our neighbors experiencing homelessness. The goals of a coordinated entry system are to simplify access to services for people pushed into homelessness; to track program and system outcomes in reducing homelessness; to inform and enhance decision-making; and, to improve a community’s overall response to the crisis of homelessness.
GRCoC Coordinated Entry Policies and Procedures, 2024
CES MOUs
Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with the GRCoC to provide services as part of a Coordinated Entry System (CES). The annually-established MoU ensures commitment to community-developed program standards and policies that meet federal guidelines and maximize our limited resources. These policies and standards ensure that all programs in the GRCoC employ fairness and transparency for people accessing services, use best practices in program delivery, follow non-discrimination and equal access guidelines, and participate in service coordination.
The community worked together to develop policies and standards for administering and providing homeless services in the region. These documents have been approved by the GRCoC Board and serve as the guiding principles for all programs, regardless of funding sources.
The FY25 designated & approved CES MoU agencies are ACTS, CARITAS, Commonwealth Catholic Charities, Daily Planet Health Services, Hanover Safe Place, HomeAgain, Homeward, Housing Families First, Liberation Veteran Services, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, The Salvation Army, Senior Connections, St. Joseph’s Villa Flagler, and Virginia Supportive Housing.
Emergency Transfer Plans
Emergency Transfer Plan (ETP)
The Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) Emergency Transfer Plan (ETP) provides a process for people who are experiencing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to request an emergency transfer to a safer housing situation or shelter stay. This plan is designed to support the safety and stability of program participants while ensuring compliance with the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
If an individual receiving assistance through a HUD CoC- or VHSP-funded Rapid Rehousing (RRH), Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), Emergency Shelter (ES), or Transitional Housing (TH) program is in danger due to one of these forms of violence, the housing provider (HP) should follow the procedures in this plan (ES providers are considers housing providers in this context). The YWCA of Richmond serves as the coordinating agency (CA) for the ETP and supports participating housing providers and clients through the transfer process.
The ETP policy outlines who is eligible for a transfer, the documentation requirements, confidentiality protections, and the steps involved in carrying out a transfer.
Policies and Other Important Documents
GRCoC Provider Standards guide the operation of GRCoC’s grant funded programs – diversion, outreach, emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing. Agencies with GRCoC sign a Coordinated Entry System MOU every year agreeing to follow the standards. In May 2024, GRCoC System Policies and Process (SPP) Committee revised the program standards. GRCoC Board approved the standards on June 10th, 2024.
GRCoC Diversion Standards (updated 2024)
GRCoC Outreach Standards (updated 2024)
GRCoC Emergency Shelter Standards (updated 2024)
GRCoC Rapid Rehousing (RRH) Standards (updated 2024)
GRCoC Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Standards (updated 2024)
GRCoC Joint Transitional Housing/Rapid Rehousing Standards
Additional Policy and other Documentation:
Connection Point Application (Approved March 2024)
Connection Point Policy (Approved March 2024)
Local EHV Referral and Match Process 2021
Memorandum of Understanding RRHA 2021
Memorandum of Understanding CVRC 2021
Memorandum of Understanding Henrico 2021
2021 Seasonal Shelter Task Force Recommendations
Emergency Transfer Plan Flowchart (Approved June 2024)
Crisis Assistance Directory by Community (Updated March 2024)
Important GRCoC Documents:
GRCoC Bylaws (revised April 2023)
Collaborative Applicant MOU (2024)
HMIS Lead MOU (2024)
Coordinated Entry System Coordinator MOU (2024)
The Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) develops and maintains policies that guide our region’s coordinated response to homelessness. These policies ensure consistent practices across providers, promote equity, and align with federal and state requirements. Key areas include Coordinated Entry, Housing First, emergency transfers, prioritization, and project performance. Policies are regularly reviewed and updated through a collaborative process with input from providers, system partners, and people with lived experience.