Governance & Policies
Organizations and interested stakeholders, including people with lived experience, working together to implement solutions to homelessness in Austin and Travis County. ECHO’s role includes providing a framework for community collaborations that produce evidence-informed programs and community standards that inform local policy decisions. Austin’s Action Plan to End Homelessness guides the work of ECHO and our partners as we work together to eradicate homelessness in our community.
Homelessness Response System Governance
The Homelessness Response System Leadership Council ensures that the community has a strong community effort in place that is based on evidence-informed practices and meets the needs of those experiencing homelessness. The Council is responsible for setting the policies and procedures for the governance, operations, and written standards for assistance and coordination of the Homelessness Response System and Continuum of Care funds.
Leadership Council meets on the first Monday of each month from 12-3 p.m. Members of the public are invited to observe meetings using this Zoom link (Passcode: 662467). Community members can submit agenda items for future meetings using this form. Submissions will be considered by Leadership Council co-chairs, and you will be notified if your item is added to the agenda.
The Governance Charter (PDF) outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Leadership Council and the governing oversight provided on behalf of the Coalition. Leadership Council’s duties include:
- Overseeing and approving the work of Coalition committees and workgroups
- Serving as the primary decision-making body for the Austin/Travis County Continuum of Care (CoC) funding
- Providing oversight of CoC funds, ensuring all CoC funded agencies fulfill their responsibilities as assigned by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Attached you will find the Leadership Council’s Shared Values and Group Agreements. These community agreements provide the foundation for the newly revised governance structure.
The full coalition of homelessness stakeholders meets twice a year, and the meetings are open to the public. For more information about how to get involved with Leadership Council or the Homelessness Response System’s governance structure, please reach out and ask to be connected with Maya Beit-Arie.
Current Leadership Council Member Bios
Leadership Council & Committee Meeting Calendar
Leadership Council / Stakeholder Meeting Agendas & Minutes
Agenda Item Submission Request Form
Leadership Council Seat Application
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Public Comment
Governance
Memorandum of Understanding between the TX-503 Continuum of Care Board and the Collaborative Applicant
(Posted for Public Comment on May 17, 2021)
Written Standards
Coordinated Entry (PDF)
Written Standards for Program Delivery (7/1/20)
Permanent Supportive Housing
Transitional Housing
Local Policies & Procedures
Anti-Discrimination Policy
CoC Grant Amendment Policy
Code of Conduct for Governance Members
Conflict of Interest Policy (PDF)
Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Policy
Governance Charter (PDF)
Compensation Policy for Governance Participants
HMIS Charter
Leadership Council Selection Policy (PDF)
Outreach Request Policy & Procedures
PSH Transfer Policy
Termination Policy
Supporting Documents
2022 Leadership Council Roadmap
CoC Program Forms & Documents
Membership Council Conflict of Interest Form
Outreach Best Practices Guide
PSH Transfer Request Form
Committees & Workgroups
The Membership Council creates Committees and Workgroups as necessary to accomplish the system-level coordination to address homelessness. For further information about the governance structure’s committees and workgroups please reach out and ask to be connected with Maya Beit-Arie.
Click here to view or download the chart above as a PDF.
(Archived minutes for the previous governance structure’s CoC & ESG Committee may be found here, and archived minutes for the previous governance structure’s Local Policy & Practice Committee may be found here.)
For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations at any ECHO meetings, workshops and/or other events, please email us.