FY 2025 Continuum of Care Competition and Youth Homeless Demonstration Program Grants NOFO

The Continuum of Care (CoC) Competition and Youth Homeless Demonstration Program (YHDP) Grants, offered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), aim to advance a nationwide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness. This annual program is managed through HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development and represents one of the largest federal investments in housing stability and homeless services across the United States. For FY 2025, HUD has made approximately $3.918 billion available through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), including support for both the CoC Competition and the renewal or replacement of expiring YHDP projects. The CoC Program is grounded in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and governed by 24 CFR part 578. The CoC Program promotes strategies to quickly rehouse individuals and families while minimizing trauma and dislocation. It provides competitive funding for a broad range of housing and service interventions, including Transitional Housing (TH), Permanent Housing (PH), Supportive Services Only (SSO), and HMIS infrastructure. For FY 2025, HUD is shifting strategic focus from the "Housing First" model toward outcomes that prioritize treatment, self-sufficiency, and public safety. A key objective is to rebalance the distribution of funding across program components, expanding investment in transitional and recovery housing, supportive services, and merit-based competition across Continuums. An estimated 7,000 awards are expected, and projects may range in duration from 12 to 60 months. The YHDP portion of this NOFO specifically targets youth aged 24 and younger who are experiencing homelessness, including unaccompanied youth and pregnant or parenting youth. It supports community-led initiatives to build systems that prevent and end youth homelessness. Renewal and replacement YHDP projects can include innovative and expanded services, from transitional support to long-term stabilization. HUD allows YHDP applicants to propose extended service periods, special cost categories, and flexible housing models, provided they align with youth-centered strategies and gain approval through HUD’s Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS). Applicants must submit proposals electronically through the e-snaps system, following strict content and format rules. Required components include standard forms (e.g., SF-424, HUD-2880), project narratives, detailed budgets (HUD-424-CB, HUD-424-CBW), and applicable certifications such as HUD-2991 and HUD-426. Planning projects and Unified Funding Agency (UFA) costs are handled separately from the annual renewal demand cap. Faith-based organizations are eligible on equal footing with other applicants. However, individuals, for-profit entities, and foreign organizations are explicitly ineligible. Applications are due by 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 25, 2026. There are two submission tracks: a Normal Track with a January 28, 2026, deadline for standard awards, and an Extended Track for new Permanent Housing projects, due February 25, 2026. Award notifications are expected March 31 and April 28, 2026, respectively. While the NOFO is currently enjoined by a federal court order, HUD has advised that further notices will be issued regarding the application portal’s status and any changes pending court outcomes. For questions, applicants may contact HUD via [email protected]. Detailed guidance, eligibility rules, and technical assistance materials are available on HUD’s Continuum of Care website. Applications must be submitted through e-snaps, and all applicants must be registered and active in SAM.gov at the time of submission and throughout the award period. The anticipated performance period for funded projects runs from March 31, 2026, through December 31, 2027.

Emphasize coordination with local CoC priorities and evidence-based performance; ensure trauma-informed care design and appropriate eligibility documentation.