GA- 506 Marietta/Cobb Continuum of Care History
HUD Continuum of Care Funding was first awarded in Cobb County in 1989 when The Center for Family Resources (formerly Cobb Family Resources) received one of 5 HUD demonstration grants awarded nation-wide to provide transitional housing for homeless families. The lead entity managing the overall CoC planning process in Cobb County was the Cobb Human Services Coalition, with staff support being provided by the Cobb County CDBG Program Office.
Cobb County’s CoC planning process was well coordinated, having been developed in 1989 when the Cobb Human Services Coalition conducted some of the first county-wide service planning for the homeless and those at-risk. With a membership representing a broad range of human service organizations, including providers of housing and services for the homeless and at-risk populations, the Cobb Human Services Coalition was well positioned to lead such a collaborative process. The Coalition brought interested organizations together to share information, coordinate services, and develop new housing and services to meet client needs. The Coalition created five special teams to focus the efforts of the community on the needs of the homeless. These Teams provided a means of coordinating the activities of major shelters and service providers in Cobb. Teams included: Housing, Employment Resources, Case Management and Technology, Children and Youth Services, and Community Awareness.
The Coalition involved community organizations in examining local data and planning housing and services within Cobb County. The Coalition devoted a part of each of its quarterly general and monthly Board meetings to Cobb’s Continuum planning process. These meetings provided general awareness of CoC issues and encouraged participation by a wide range of community groups. Also, the Coalition co-sponsored, in partnership with the CDBG Program Office, a number of special CoC planning meetings, and helped conduct a point-in-time survey of shelters and transitional housing facilities, and a street count.
Staff Support for the Continuum planning process was provided by the Cobb CDBG Program Office, including assistance in conducting planning meetings, assimilating new data, and updating CoC strategies. The CDBG Office also administered the Multi-Agency Group (MAG) Transitional Housing with Supportive Services grant, and a member of the CDBG staff attended all MAG and CHSC meetings. CDBG staff members had been involved in planning and service development to assist the homeless in Cobb County since the early 1980’s, lending historical perspective and an understanding of the problems faced.
Other participants from a wide variety of organizations were involved in preparation of Cobb's Continuum of Care, including local government agencies, non-profit housing and service providers, foundation representatives, church sponsored groups, neighborhood associations, private sector businesses, banks, local law enforcement, Kennesaw State University, the Cobb Collaborative, and the Georgia Coalition To End Homelessness (a state-wide organization in which Cobb’s Coalition is an active member). These organizations assisted in a variety of ways, including:
- participating in planning meetings
- sharing data on particular homeless populations
- assisting with surveys
- reviewing and rating SHP applications
- reviewing drafts of the Continuum and helping to update sections on housing and services available
- helping to rate priorities for the Gaps Analysis Chart
In addition, homeless families and individuals participated in a focus session at a local shelter, providing information based on their experiences and needs.
HUD originally required Cobb to participate in the Tri-J Continuum of Care with organizations from Atlanta, DeKalb, and Fulton Counties. However, there were differences in homeless issues and priorities between Cobb and the other participants in the Tri-J CoC. In order to better serve the residents of Cobb and address issues in our community, Cobb worked with its representatives in Congress to obtain a “divorce” from the Tri-J and established its own Continuum of Care. The Cobb CDBG Program Office became the Lead Organization for GA 506-Marietta/Cobb Continuum of Care.
In 2002
The CHSC entered into a formal partnership with the broader-focused Cobb Community Collaborative to become the Council on Homelessness. As the Council on Homelessness, the CHSC maintained its mission of developing and coordinating strategies to address the issue of homelessness in Cobb County.
In 2004
The Center for Family Resources began to assist in the preparation of the CoC application when CDBG staff and Cobb Family Resources staff met to discuss support for planning and writing the 2004 CoC application. Cobb County’s pro rata share of CoC funds was $1,251,692.
Four organizations were funded: The Center for Family Resources, The Extension, Marietta Housing Authority and Cobb CSB. The CoC’s annual renewal amount was $942,255. Projects funded for multiple years and not eligible for renewal in 2004 were: The Extension’s Transitional Recovery Program for $209,308 and Marietta Housing Authority/Cobb Community Service Board’s Shelter+Care project for $642,300. At that time, Shelter + Care (S+C) renewals were funded out of a separate pot of funds at the national level and did not count against Cobb's Pro-Rata Share amount.
In 2008
Tthe lead organization for the CoC continued to be the CDBG Program Office; however a Steering Committee was formed that met bi-monthly to work on issues specifically related to the CoC. This committee directed the overall planning of CoC activities in partnership with the Lead Agency, the Cobb CDBG Program Office. It assisted in development of new resources and projects, monitored progress in meeting goals and priorities of the CoC, and monitored projects.
The list of funded organizations expanded to include: The Center for Family Resources, Marietta Housing Authority, Cobb Community Services Board, The Extension, The Cobb Collaborative (HMIS), and Zion Keepers. MUST Ministries received a Supportive Services Only (SSO) grant for case management for $35,000. The YWCA of NW Georgia also received $173,053 for transitional housing for victims of domestic violence.
In 2012
HUD published the interim Continuum of Care Rule which required CoCs to establish a Board of Directors. Continuums of Care were given 2 years after August 30, 2012 to comply with the requirement. The CoC Steering Committee designated The Center for Family Resources as the Collaborative Applicant and Lead Organization for the CoC.
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs announced in 2013, that HUD had designated GHFA as the HMIS lead for the State of Georgia and assumed responsibility for the CoC’s HMIS grants. DCA executed a MOU with CFR for management of the funding.
In 2014
The CoC worked with a HUD technical advisor and developed by-laws for the CoC and established a Board of Directors. Jeri Barr, CEO of The Center for Family Resources served as the first Board Chair.
By 2015
The CoC’s annual renewal demand had surpassed $2 million dollars. Nine organizations received funding totaling $2,057,749.
In 2017
MUST Ministries applied for a new SSO project to support Coordinated Entry.
In 2021
The CoC submitted applications for 16 projects from 6 organizations totaling $2,255,779. Two new projects were included: LiveSafe Resources applied for a new Joint TH RRH Project for victims of domestic violence and Georgia Housing and Finance Authority applied for $95,500 in expansion funding for HMIS. All projects were funded.
In 2022
The CoC received $2,434,593 for six organizations including 16 projects. No new projects were submitted in 2022.
