CoC Lead Agency

SARAH is designated by the federal department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as the Continuum of Care (CoC) Lead Agency for San Antonio and Bexar County (TX-500). As the CoC Lead, SARAH oversees the CoC Program, which has HUD funding dedicated to housing with services to prevent and end homelessness in our community. On an annual basis, SARAH conducts a funding competition and submits a collaborative application on behalf of our community. CoC Program Grantees use Homelink, our community’s Coordinated Entry System, to connect clients with available housing resources.

Technical Assistance 

​Assistance
  • For technical assistance regarding CoC, ESG Annual, and ESG-CV, and YHDP please contact Chelsey Viger, Director of Data & Performance at chelseyviger@sarahomeless.org

​Local Policies

National Guidelines & Resources

Continuum of Care Program Grant
The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program is designed to promote community-wide commitment toward ending homelessness. The CoC Program provides funding for efforts by nonprofit providers and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to individuals, families, and communities by homelessness.

Continuum of Care Policies 
Federal Grant Recipient Monthly Call Materials 2023
September 2023 Links: Download Slides
August 2023 Links: Download Slides

Funding Competitions & Archives

Current CoC Funding Competition Details

Archives: CoC NOFO Submission & Policies 
FY23 CoC Program NOFO Competition
  • The FY23 CoC Program Funding Competition process has concluded.
  • Click here to review the FY23 CoC Program Priority Ranking document, which describes our CoC’s recommendations for funding to HUD.
  • ​Click here to review the final version of the CoC Approved Consolidated Application.
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Application Materials
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Application Resources
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2023
YHDP TH-RRH Project Transfer RFP Application Materials
2022
​FY22 CoC NOFO Application Materials: FY22 Special Unsheltered CoC Program NOFO Competition Application Materials:
2021
FY21 CoC NOFO Application Materials:
FY21 CoC NOFO Application Resources:
YHDP Round 2 Application Materials:
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016

Homelink Information for Agencies and Service Providers

What is Homelink?
Homelink is San Antonio and Bexar County’s local Coordinated Entry System – a uniform, community-wide approach to connect persons who are literally homeless to housing resources. This page is for homeless service providers who enter data into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and assist clients with housing. If you are experiencing homelessness and need resources, please click here.

WANT TO BE A HOMELINK NETWORK
​PARTNER OR ACCESS POINT?

​For Organizations or Agencies Interested in Homelink
If you’d like to learn more about how your agency/organization can partner with SARAH to begin conducting assessments, accept housing referrals through Homelink, or learn how to become a Homelink Access Point, we offer a Homelink Orientation Training. For more information about this training and upcoming dates, please email CE@sarahomeless.org..

Homelink Notification & Referral Process

Our Notification of Availability and Referral process enables referral requests to be filled within two business days. Hence, we can help more clients much faster! For more information about this process, email CE@sarahomeless.org.

Housing Assistance Programs

SARAH will only accept vouchers from housing providers. If you are experiencing homelessness,
​please click here to view resources and learn how to enroll in Homelink.

Family Referral Program 


​The Family Referral Program (FRP) is a collaboration between Opportunity Home San Antonio and SARAH to help agencies transition literally homeless families into Project-Based Vouchers (PBV). Service providers or caseworkers can apply on behalf of their client(s) that are currently experiencing homelessness and displaying a level of self-sufficiency that would not require case management to maintain their housing.

*Please Note, FRP is a site-based project, meaning openings are based on unit size and availability.

Guidance for Partner Agencies & Housing Providers

Who is eligible?
  • Families experiencing homelessness
  • Have no outstanding debt to SAHA and meet criminal background requirements
  • Income between 30-50% of Area Median Income (AMI)
Who is prioritized?
  • Families with longer lengths of homelessness
  • Survivors of Domestic Violence
  • Families with an open Child Protective Services (CPS) case
Program Requirements
Requirements of Referring Agencies for NEED TYPE 1:
  • Must provide the family with transition assistance, including deposit, first month’s rent, and furniture assistance
  • Must conduct one site visit with the family in housing to discuss community resources that might be beneficial to the family
  • Conduct follow-up after transitioning for a minimum of 90 days

Requirements of Referring Agencies for NEED TYPE 2:
  • Assist family with complete and accurate application
  • Conduct self-sufficiency assessment
How to Apply
  1. Application packets are accepted by agency staff only.
  2. Request Referral Packet from vouchers@sarahomeless.org and complete all required information.
  3. Click here to complete the Homelink Voucher Submission Process Guide. 
  4. SARAH will review and forward all complete application packets to Opportunity Home for pre-eligibility screening.
  5. Upon successful pre-eligibility screening, Opportunity Home will schedule an eligibility appointment. A voucher will be issued as long as all documentation is present.

Opportunity Home San Antonio Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV)
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​*Applications are Currently Closed*

The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program is a collaboration between Opportunity Home San Antonio and SARAH to distribute this assistance provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to help agencies transition literally homeless individuals/families into Project-Based Vouchers (PBV). Service providers or caseworkers can apply on behalf of their client(s) that are currently experiencing homelessness and displaying a level of self-sufficiency that would not require case management to maintain their housing.​

Guidance for Partner Agencies & Housing Providers

Who is eligible?
Homelessness Status (any of the following)
  • Literally Homeless;
  • At risk of homelessness;
  • Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking; or
  • Recently homeless and for  whom  providing rental assistance will prevent the family’s homelessness or high risk of housing instability

Meets the “low income” limited (See FAQs – page 3)

The referring agency must provide at least 90 days of post-move-in housing stabilization case management.
How are Opportunity Home EHVs different than Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV)?
  • Must have open Homelink Enrollment
  • Access to supportive services such as housing search assistance
  • Fewer criteria for denial of assistance at eligibility (See FAQs – page 2)
How to Apply *Applications are Currently Closed*
  1. Application packets are accepted by agency staff only.
  2. Request Referral Packet from vouchers@sarahomeless.org and complete all required information.
  3. Click here to complete the Homelink Voucher Submission Process Guide. 
  4. SARAH will review and forward all complete application packets to Opportunity Home for pre-eligibility screening.
  5. Upon successful pre-eligibility screening, Opportunity Home will schedule an eligibility appointment. A voucher will be issued as long as all documentation is present.

HABC Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV)
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​*Applications are Currently Closed*

The Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) Program is a collaboration between the Housing Authority of Bexar County (HABC) and SARAH to distribute this assistance provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to assist literally homeless individuals and families. Service providers or caseworkers can apply on behalf of their client(s) that are currently experiencing homelessness and displaying a level of self-sufficiency that would not require case management to maintain their housing.

Guidance for Partner Agencies & Housing Providers

Who is eligible?
1. This is a target program for;
  • Individuals or families who are homeless.
  • Individuals or families who are at-risk of homelessness.
  • Individuals or families who are fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking.
  • Individuals or families who are recently homeless.
2. Family must meet the 2021 HUD Eligibility Income Limit for Bexar County.
3. Family must be referred by the partner agency.
How are HABC EHVs different than Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV)?
  • All statutory and regulatory requirements regarding the HCV program are applicable to EHVs, including the use of all HUD-required contracts and forms. There are a few key differences, including:
  • Eligibility requirements (See FAQs under “Resources”)
  • Partnerships with local Continuum of Care (CoC) agencies
  • Access to supportive services such as housing search assistance
  • Fewer criteria for denial of assistance at eligibility (See FAQs – page 2)
How to Apply *Applications are Currently Closed*
  1. Application packets are accepted by agency staff only.
  2. Request Referral Packet from vouchers@sarahomeless.org and complete all required information.
  3. Click here to complete the Homelink Voucher Submission Process Guide. 
  4. HABC will review client application within 24 hours of receiving it.
  5. Clients will be contacted by HABC within 7 days to schedule an eligibility appointment (Appointments will be happening in-person).

Move-On Preference Program

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​The Move-On Preference Program is a permanent housing solution program for agencies to assist and seamlessly transition participants currently housed through Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) into subsidized housing with Opportunity Home San Antonio.

Guidance for Partner Agencies & Housing Providers

Who is eligible?
  • Individuals and families currently in PSH
  • Have been housed stably for 12+ months
  • Have no outstanding debt to Opportunity Home and meet criminal background requirements
  • Income below 30% Area Median Income (AMI)
  • Referring agency can provide 90 days of After Care to ensure a successful transition
How to apply? 
  1. Application packets are accepted by agency staff only.
  2. Request Referral Packet from vouchers@sarahomeless.org and complete all required information.
  3. Click here to complete the Homelink Voucher Submission Process Guide. 
  4. SARAH will review and forward all complete application packets to Opportunity Home for pre-eligibility screening.
  5. Upon successful pre-eligibility screening, Opportunity Home will schedule an eligibility appointment. A voucher will be issued as long as all documentation is present.

COVID-19 Voucher Program

*Applications are Currently Closed*
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​The COVID Voucher Program is a collaboration between Opportunity Home San Antonio and SARAH to distribute this assistance provided to help agencies transition literally homeless individuals/families into Project-Based Vouchers (PBV). Service providers or caseworkers must apply on behalf of their client(s) that are currently experiencing homelessness and displaying a level of self-sufficiency that would not require case management to maintain their housing.​

Guidance for Partner Agencies & Housing Providers

Who is eligible?
  • Homelink client/family impacted by COVID pandemic

  • Homelessness Status (any of the following)
    o Literally Homeless;
    o At risk of homelessness; or
    o Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human traffickig

  • Meets the “low income” limited (See FAQs – page 3) 
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  • The referring agency must provide at least 90 days of post-move-in housing stabilization case management.
How to Apply *Applications are Currently Closed*
1. Application packets are accepted by agency staff only.
2. Request Referral Packet from vouchers@sarahomeless.org and complete all required information.
3. Click here to complete the Homelink Voucher Submission Process Guide. SARAH will review and forward all complete application packets to Opportunity Home for pre-eligibility screening.
4.    Upon successful pre-eligibility screening, Opportunity Home will schedule an eligibility appointment. A voucher will be issued as long as all documentation is present.

Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP)

Introduction to YHDP

​Learn how SARAH, community partners, and the Youth Action Board of San Antonio (YAB) joined forces to receive $6.88 million in HUD youth action funds for our community!

All About YHDP In Our Community

Learn more about how YHDP is positively impacting youth and young adults in our community.
YHDP Partners
See the organizations involved and the work being done to prevent and end youth homelessness.​​
YAB & Youth Equity
Meet the Youth Action
Board of San Antonio and learn how they work to establish
​youth equity.
Take Action
Join the #WESAY #HouseAllYouth Movement and learn how you can participate in our current initiatives.

Other Partner Resources

We will post resources for our Continuum of Care (CoC) partners that you can use when helping your clients. If you are experiencing homelessness, please visit our Resources page or visit www.SACRD.org
​Eviction Prevention Toolkit
​Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) San Antonio contracted with consultants from Homebase to assess current local efforts to prevent eviction and homelessness.  The complete evaluation and final set of recommendations and associated action steps can be found here: San Antonio Eviction Prevention Program Evaluation (April 2022)

​We want to hear your thoughts on what is needed to prevent housing loss.  Fill out a short Google form here: San Antonio/Bexar County Housing Stability Community Feedback Form.

​SARAH Homeless ​Diversion Program


​Flex funding has been allocated from SARAH to assist Homelink Hubs and Network Partners in helping their clients that are experiencing homelessness to find safe housing solutions.

To have access to these diversion funds, partners must work at a Homelink Hub or be a Homelink Network Partner, complete a diversion training and assessment to become a Certified Diversion Specialist and perform diversion/problem-solving conversations with all clients accessing Homelink.

PLACE Program


Guidance for Partner Agencies & Landlords
The Provider Liability Assurance for Community Empowerment, or PLACE, is a program established in collaboration with the City of San Antonio to offset the risk assumed by housing agencies and rental housing providers. The funds from this assurance program are designed to assist landlords and agencies in housing high-barrier clients such as displaced persons, homeless veterans, or chronically homeless individuals.
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*Please note that this application must come from a service provider or agency. If you are experiencing homelessness, please click here to view resources and learn how to enroll in Homelink
​Who is eligible?
​​Housing agencies and rental housing providers with potential clients/residents that have broken leases, evictions, criminal history, little or not enough credit or income to qualify for housing without the assistance of agencies.
PLACE Program Facts
  • Guarantees that apartment damages will be covered if they occur
  • Covers holding fees and pays damages up to $1,500
  • Does not provide upfront payment like risk fees, administrative fees, or security deposits
  • Does not include rent; does not move in clients before the required inspection date
  • Agencies can obtain funding from this program by enrolling their agency in this program. If they are approved, their staff will have the ability to request these funds on behalf of their clients that are seeking housing.
  • Funding will be set aside for approved clients, which can be accessed once/if the funding is needed.
How to Apply 
1. Complete the PLACE Agency Application form. Mandatory requirements for agencies are outlined in this form; agencies will receive an approved copy confirming participation in the PLACE program.

2. Once agency has been accepted into the program, Create a demographic profile in HMIS (including HUD Assessments) to enroll client in PLACE.

3. Once housing is found, the following forms should be completed and uploaded in HMIS: Client Enrollment form and Client Release of Information form. A copy of clients lease and the Move-in inspection form within 14 business days. 

4. Complete a CE Event Referral in HMIS, along with creating the Homelink Referral case note template. 

5. SARAH will review and will contact the referring partner upon approval or denial. 

6. Only if applicable: complete and submit the Request for Funds form if the property manager reports the need to 'hold' a unit for the client based on housing inspection delay prior to move-in, or if the landlord reports damages to the unit upon client move-out
​​How will housing providers/landlords receive PLACE funding?
​The Request for Funds will be submitted once all pertinent information (W-9 from the property manager, move-in inspection, pictures, invoices, etc.) has been received to support the damage claim.

Documentation from the housing authority stating the date of inspection will suffice for the holding fee. The damage reimbursement will be approved by SARAH and property managers will receive checks for damages within 3-5 business days.

South Alamo Regional
​Alliance for the Homeless

4100 E. Piedras, Suite 105, San Antonio, TX 78228
Office hours: Monday - Friday 8AM - 5PM
www.sarahomeless.org
​contactsarah@sarahomeless.org
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