 |
AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
Item No: 4.C.
Economic Development Authority
- Meeting Date:
- 12/08/2025
Agenda Item:
Resolution authorizing submittal of an application to the River Valleys Continuum of Care (CoC) for the 2025 HUD CoC Program Funding.
Recommendation/Action(s):
Adoption of the attached resolution.
Summary:
The purpose of this memo is to request EDA Board authorization for the Executive Director to submit an application to the River Valleys Continuum of Care (CoC) as part of the 2025 HUD Continuum of Care Program competition. This application will seek funding to continue the EDA’s street outreach operations.
The River Valleys CoC is the HUD-recognized Continuum of Care responsible for administering the regional funding competition across a 20-county area in Minnesota, including the entitlement jurisdictions of the City of Rochester and the City of Mankato.
On November 20, 2025, the CoC opened its annual Call for Projects to all eligible applicants. A Pre-Application is due December 5, and the full application is due December 12, 2025, with an anticipated project start date in summer 2026.
The HUD CoC Program aims to promote community-wide commitment to ending homelessness by:
The 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) places emphasis on treatment and recovery-oriented programming, reducing unsheltered homelessness, and increasing participant earned income. It also opens opportunities for Supportive Services Only and Transitional Housing projects, which have not been prioritized in recent funding cycles.
The EDA launched its Street Outreach Team in 2023 utilizing CoC Coordinated Entry Navigator funds. The team provides direct outreach, engagement, needs assessment, and service navigation for unsheltered individuals.
The 2025 CoC competition presents an opportunity to continue funding these services. Existing staffing resources will be used as match funding toward the CoC requirement.
Staff request that the EDA Board adopt a resolution authorizing the Executive Director to execute and submit the 2025 HUD CoC Program application to the River Valleys CoC, and to complete all documents necessary to secure funding for continued street outreach activities. If authorized, staff will finalize the pre-application and full submission according to the CoC’s published deadlines. Staff will report back to the Board upon notice of award.
The River Valleys CoC is the HUD-recognized Continuum of Care responsible for administering the regional funding competition across a 20-county area in Minnesota, including the entitlement jurisdictions of the City of Rochester and the City of Mankato.
On November 20, 2025, the CoC opened its annual Call for Projects to all eligible applicants. A Pre-Application is due December 5, and the full application is due December 12, 2025, with an anticipated project start date in summer 2026.
The HUD CoC Program aims to promote community-wide commitment to ending homelessness by:
- Providing housing and service funding to quickly rehouse individuals and families,
- Minimizing the trauma and dislocation related to homelessness,
- Improving access to mainstream services,
- Optimizing self-sufficiency and long-term stability.
The 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) places emphasis on treatment and recovery-oriented programming, reducing unsheltered homelessness, and increasing participant earned income. It also opens opportunities for Supportive Services Only and Transitional Housing projects, which have not been prioritized in recent funding cycles.
The EDA launched its Street Outreach Team in 2023 utilizing CoC Coordinated Entry Navigator funds. The team provides direct outreach, engagement, needs assessment, and service navigation for unsheltered individuals.
The 2025 CoC competition presents an opportunity to continue funding these services. Existing staffing resources will be used as match funding toward the CoC requirement.
Staff request that the EDA Board adopt a resolution authorizing the Executive Director to execute and submit the 2025 HUD CoC Program application to the River Valleys CoC, and to complete all documents necessary to secure funding for continued street outreach activities. If authorized, staff will finalize the pre-application and full submission according to the CoC’s published deadlines. Staff will report back to the Board upon notice of award.