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.

See Documents Open for Public Comment

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

The following documents are currently open for public comment.

Governance

Written Standards

Written Standards for Program Delivery (7/1/20)

Permanent Supportive Housing

Transitional Housing

Local Policies & Procedures

Anti-Discrimination Policy

CoC Grant Amendment Policy

Education Services Policy
(Please see further info here.)

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Policy

Compensation Policy for Governance Participants

HMIS Charter

Outreach Request Policy & Procedures

PSH Transfer Policy

Termination Policy

VAWA Policy and Procedures
(Please see further info here.)

Supporting Documents

External VAWA Emergency Transfer Form
(Please see further info here.)

Membership Council Conflict of Interest Form

Outreach Best Practices Guide

PSH Transfer Request Form

Committees & Workgroups

One of Leadership Council’s duties is to oversee the activities of Committees and Workgroups. Currently there are five standing committees that create workgroups as needed for specific Committee tasks. Unless otherwise noted, all Committee and Workgroup meetings are open to the public. Find links to join virtually on our Governance Calendar.

Five-column flow chart of Leadership Council Committees and Workgroups; In the far left column, Permanent Housing Committee at top, then Property Engagement Workgroup, Permanent Supportive Housing Workgroup, and Rapid Re-Housing Workgroup; in the second column, Performance Monitoring Committee at top, then CoC Scorecard Workgroup, Coordinated Entry Workgroup, and PIT Count Planning Workgroup (ad hoc); in the third column, Crisis Response Committee at top, then Shelter Beds Workgroup and Inclement Weather Shelter Workgroup; in the fourth column, Equity Committee at top, then APAT Development Workgroup, Best Practices for Working with Trans Clients, Equity Tools Workgroup, and PLE Support Space; in the fifth column, Systems Improvement Committee at top, then Harm Reduction Workgroup and SOAR Workgroup

 

(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.

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