How Coordinated Entry works.

The Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness (ACEH), the US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care (CoC) Program interim rule, must establish and operate a Coordinated Entry (CE) system. CE is a tool designed to ensure that individuals experiencing homelessness are matched with the correct resources, interventions, and potential housing programs. CE standardizes the access and enrollment process for all clients.

Once a client completes or updates an assessment with an appropriate Access Point, the client is placed within the Alaska Homeless Management Information System (AKHMIS) prioritization list. All client referrals to participating housing programs are conducted through the prioritization list. All CE participating providers must fill housing program openings using the CE referral process. To facilitate prompt referrals and to increase utilization rates, participating providers must notify ACEH of any known or anticipated vacancies and/or openings as soon as possible. ACEH then works to identify the next household to fill the housing program vacancy from the prioritization list. ACEH shall endeavor to take all services provided by the partner into consideration, with the intent to navigate the most vulnerable household, that is eligible, into the open housing referral.

First, the housing provider must informs the CE Director, or the CE Specialist, that they have an opening in their housing program and explain what type of household would be eligible to fill the vacancy (Single Adult, Transitionally Aged Youth, or Family with minors). ACEH’s CE Director or the CE Specialist will then use the CE Prioritization policy to provide the referral.

Clients are prioritized based on their HUD Disability Conditions as reported in the CE Assessment. Each disability gives the client +1 point added to their prioritization. The only exception of this rule is “Alcohol Use Disorder”, “Drug Use Disorder”, and “Both Drug and Alcohol Disorder”. These are considered 1 point regardless of the combination of the answers. The scoring is unaffected if the client has only one or all three selected. Clients will receive 1 point total if any or all of these disorders are selected.

This prioritization scoring allows brackets of 0-6 points. Within these brackets the clients are then organized by age, from oldest to youngest. If there is a tie in prioritization scoring and age, the next factor is “length of time homeless.” The length of time homeless is determined by the oldest touch in AKHMIS without a 2-year break. The length of time homeless prioritizes those with the oldest interactions with AKHMIS.  

Clients with medical issues threatening life and limb may be elevated to the ‘top of the prioritization list.’ Medical elevation occurs at case conferencing and is at the discretion of the CE program director or their designee. Medical elevation first occurs at case conferencing and in special circumstances may occur through email correspondence between a case manager and CE Manager. These factors help identify which clients will best fit the housing program vacancy, thus serving the most vulnerable participants with the most appropriate intervention instead of a “first come, first served approach.”

Coordinated Entry clarifications.

Coordinated Entry prioritizes referrals based on need and vulnerability instead of functioning on a first-come-first-serve basis, while also accounting for the various eligibility criteria of participating housing programs. Coordinated Entry is not a “waitlist.”

This means that a household new to Coordinated Entry may receive a referral into housing more quickly than a household that has been in Coordinated Entry longer. This also means that if a household with higher vulnerability does not meet the eligibility criteria for the program with a current opening, a household with lower vulnerability will receive a referral into the program.

Definition of Chronically Homeless 

 The definition of “Chronically Homeless” provides a way to prioritize people with the longest histories of homelessness and most severe needs. It helps the CoC and partners ensure that individuals and families with the highest risks and needs are prioritized for permanent supportive housing. 

There are two definitions of Chronic Homelessness: Disability and length of time. 

 Chronic Homelessness, as defined by a disability, occurs when an individual has a disabling condition that hinders that individual’s ability to live independently and/or would be improved by obtaining housing. 

Chromic Homelessness, as defined by length of time occurs in two separate ways. First is when an individual has been homeless for at least twelve consecutive months. The second occurs if the individual has been homeless, on at least four separate occasions (separated by three “breaks in homelessness”*), in the last three years where the combined length of time homeless is at least twelve months. During this time the individual may have lived in a shelter or a place not meant for habitation. 

*Breaks in homelessness occur when the individual is in some type of housing situation (couch-surfing, their own apartment, hotel/motel, etc.) for seven nights or longer or if the individual is in an institutional setting (jail, hospital, treatment center, long-term care facility, etc.) for 90 days or longer. 

Who qualifies to be served by Coordinated Entry?

Any individuals or families who are currently staying in a shelter, camping, or living in a place that does not meet regular standards of housing (e.g. A car; a condemned house; a house without heat or electricity, etc.) are eligible to receive services through Coordinated Entry.

Further, those individuals or families who are living in a Transitional Housing program or who are staying in a hotel that is paid for by a charity or organization in town (including the Department of Corrections) are eligible for Coordinated Entry. Those who are actively fleeing a domestic violence situation and are unable to sustain housing are also eligible for services.

Those who are in an institution (hospital, jail, treatment, etc.) and were in one of the situations described above prior to entering the institution are eligible for Coordinated Entry if they have been living in the institution for less than 90 days.

Do all agencies receive referrals from Coordinated Entry?

Not all housing agencies in the community receive referrals directly through Coordinated Entry.

Different housing definitions:

Rapid Rehousing
Rapid re-housing provides short-term rental assistance and services. The goals are to help people obtain housing quickly, increase self-sufficiency, and stay housed.

Stable Housing
Stable housing, as quickly as possible, is the goal for everyone experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. Hundreds more units are needed, along with consistent services to maintain stability.

Permanent Supportive Housing
Combines low-barrier affordable housing, health care, and supportive services for highly vulnerable people who otherwise would be unable to maintain housing stability.

Questions about Coordinated Entry?

Contact Mac Lyons, Coordinated Entry Manager at: mlyons@aceh.org