History of Continuum of Care and the Verde Valley Homeless Coalition

History of Continuum of Care and the Verde Valley Homeless Coalition

The Continuum of Care (CoC) and the Verde Valley Homeless Coalition started in the early 1990s after the Director of the Arizona Department of Housing approached the Site Director of Catholic Charities and asked that they facilitate the CoC which was at the time nonexistent in the Verde Valley.

Transition House

In the winter months of 2005, collaboration was tried between Catholic Charities and Mountain View United Methodist Church. MVUMC provided shelter for families along with dinner and breakfast. Catholic Charities provided the screening process and discussed the overnight rules. This collaboration was discontinued after one winter.

HUD has required a Point-in-Time Count for all Continuums of Care since 2005. It is required to occur sometime during the last 10 days of January. Sheltered counts are required annually and unsheltered counts are required every other year. The AZBOSCOC started conducting an unsheltered count on an annual basis in 2014. Point-in-time counts are important because they establish the dimensions of the problem of homelessness and help policymakers and program administrators track progress toward the goal of ending homelessness.

Shelter

In 2010, ADOH in conjunction with CCCS applied for and was awarded a contract for 9 units of Permanent Supportive Housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness specifically for the Verde Valley. It has continued to be awarded funding each year and the geographic focus remains the Verde Valley.

Due to the extensive needs in the Verde Valley, the VVHC is expanding services to the homeless. We have changed from an advocacy group to an active service group and have received 501(c)(3) status. In 2017, an executive director was hired to continue to build the organization. We are a board of volunteers plus one paid Executive Director.

The VVHC provides a safe environment within the day transition center as a resource for informal coaching services, basic needs, and referrals to other service providers. The VVHC serves its visitors on an individualized level, establishing a sense of belonging, empowerment, and building a relationship of trust. The transition center also doubles as an invaluable space to house homeless individuals during inclement weather.