Questions & Answers

In HUD's e-snaps system, RRH and SSO are two separate project types, and each one requires its own project application: its own budget, its own set of screens, and its own submission. There isn't a combined “RRH + SSO” application format. So, while your LOI could describe both ideas together, the application step itself will need to be structured as either one project application (choosing RRH or SSO) or two separate project applications (one for each). If you do submit two, each one is reviewed and scored independently in the CoC's local ranking process. A strong score on one doesn't carry over to the other, and each stands or falls on its own merits, budget justification, and readiness.

As a quick reference on the two project types: RRH (Rapid Re-Housing) provides short- to medium-term rental assistance paired with case management to help people move directly from homelessness into permanent housing and stabilize there. SSO (Supportive Services Only) funds a defined set of supportive services (things like outreach, case management, or coordinated entry functions) without a housing or rental assistance component attached.

One thing that applies no matter which structure you choose: every project, RRH or SSO, must operate through the CoC's Coordinated Entry (CE) process. That means referrals and enrollments must come through CE — this isn't optional or something a project can opt out of based on how many applications you submit or the type of application.

Given that this would be your agency's first HUD grant, it may be worth having an internal conversation about capacity (things like HMIS data entry, financial and grant reporting requirements, and the administrative lift of standing up compliance systems for a new federal award) and weighing that against whether one or two simultaneous project applications makes sense for where you are right now. ARCH is happy to talk through the tradeoffs whenever it's useful.

See ARCH's RRH vs. SSO Cheat Sheet for a side-by-side of the two project types — also covered in a recent ARCH training.

e-snaps is not open for applications, and HUD has not provided a time frame for when e-snaps will open. This is why the CoC created an extended local application, so agencies can move forward on the local competition while HUD works through the e-snaps issue on its end. ARCH shared full details on the extended application in an email to all applicants on July 14.

Based on ARCH's review of the FY 2026 CoC NOFO and applicable VAWA requirements, the FY 2026 CoC NOFO does not supersede VAWA's survivor-centered requirements. While HUD is placing increased emphasis on supportive service participation, treatment, recovery, employment, and self-sufficiency — particularly for certain Transitional Housing projects — this does not mean that victim service providers must require survivors to participate in substance use treatment or other supportive services as a condition of receiving housing, if doing so would conflict with VAWA requirements.

For domestic violence providers, supportive services should continue to be offered using a survivor-centered, voluntary approach. Applicants should describe how survivors are offered and connected to substance use treatment, behavioral health services, employment, and other supportive services when appropriate — but, consistent with VAWA requirements, participation in those services should remain voluntary for survivors. The Office on Violence Against Women specifically states that survivors must not be required to participate in supportive services to receive transitional housing assistance.

The standard requiring 20 hours per week of participant engagement for new Transitional Housing projects is also not limited to substance use treatment. HUD identifies a broad range of eligible activities that may count toward the 20-hour engagement expectation, including case management, counseling, treatment, volunteering, work therapy, education, job training, community-building activities, and employment. A domestic violence project can satisfy this expectation through survivor-centered services — trauma-informed case management, safety planning, legal advocacy, counseling, peer support, life-skills training, education, employment services, and other voluntary supportive services — without requiring participation in substance use treatment.

Although ARCH believes this interpretation is consistent with the FY 2026 CoC NOFO and VAWA requirements, ARCH has submitted this question to HUD (CoCNOFO@hud.gov) requesting written clarification, and recommends victim service providers with the same question also submit it directly to HUD — this is one of those issues where getting HUD's written interpretation is valuable. A question could simply ask: For victim service providers operating CoC-funded Joint TH-RRH projects, how should the FY 2026 NOFO's emphasis on supportive service participation and treatment engagement be implemented in a manner consistent with VAWA's survivor-centered and voluntary-services requirements?

Status: Answered by ARCH based on current HUD guidance and applicable VAWA requirements. ARCH has submitted this question to HUD (CoCNOFO@hud.gov) requesting written clarification and will update this answer once HUD responds.

If your match commitment is still pending, identify the anticipated match source in your local application and indicate that the formal commitment letter is pending. You can submit this on agency letterhead if you've already submitted your local application.

You will need the formal written match commitment before you finalize and submit the project application to HUD if your project is accepted by Ranking and Review, so please work on securing it as soon as it becomes available.

Also, be sure to verify that your anticipated match source is eligible to be used as match for a HUD Continuum of Care grant. Not all funding sources may be used to satisfy the CoC Program match requirement, so it's important to confirm eligibility before relying on those funds — see ARCH's Match Funds Cheat Sheet for guidance on what does and doesn't qualify.

ARCH encourages agencies to provide the commitment letter as soon as possible once the source is confirmed, so there's adequate time to review all application materials before the HUD submission deadline.

ARCH: Will you please clarify what type of certification you are requesting?

Agency: I believe I need the HUD HMIS Participation & Data Quality Certification. The ESG one was specific to that grant.

ARCH: Thank you for the clarification. I am still not certain which certification you are referencing. If you would please forward the information or guidance indicating where this certification is being requested, we will review it and provide any required documentation, if applicable.

Status: Still being confirmed. ARCH has asked the agency to forward the specific guidance referencing this certification requirement so we can confirm what, if anything, is needed. This entry will be updated once resolved.

ARCH, as the Collaborative Applicant for the Alabama Balance of State Continuum of Care, is committed to conducting a fair, open, and transparent local competition. All applications received will be reviewed in accordance with the FY 2026 Competition Policies and Procedures and evaluated using the same established process by the Ranking and Review Committee and CoC Board.

Yes, since your project is a renewal that has not yet completed its first operating year and an APR is not yet available, please complete Section D using the HMIS data that is available from your project start date through the most current date possible.

Where applicable, please note in your response that the project has not yet completed its first year of operation and that an APR is not yet available.