Coalition Leadership
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.
Stakeholder Meeting
Thank you to everyone who submitted an application to fill a seat on the new Continuum of Care Board, the Homelessness Response System Leadership Council! All homeless services providers, advocates, and community partners please make plans to attend the upcoming virtual All-Stakeholder Meeting on Monday May 3, 2021 from 1pm to 3pm. The Zoom link and agenda are posted below.
2021 Austin / Travis County Homelessness Response System Leadership Council
COA Homeless Strategy Office: Dianna Grey, COA Homeless Strategy Officer
COA Equity Office: Brion Oaks, COA Chief Equity Officer
Travis County: Cathy McClaugherty, Travis County Planning Manager
Public Housing Authority: Lisa Garcia, HACA VP of Assisted Housing
HUD-Funded Homelessness Service Provider: Jason Phillips, Caritas of Austin
Non HUD-Funded Homelessness Service Provider: Emily Seales, Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center
Healthcare/Disability Representative: Whitney Thurman, UT Austin
Mental Health / Substance Use Representative: Ruth Ahearn, Integral Care
Youth Community Advocate with Lived Expertise of Homelessness: Summer Wright, Austin Youth Collective
Community Advocate with Lived Expertise of Homelessness: Rhie Azzam Morris, Community Advocate
Community Advocate with Lived Expertise of Homelessness: Richard Johnson, Community Advocate
Other Representative: Devyn Harris, Black Trans Leadership of Austin
Other Representative: Quincy Dunlap, Austin Area Urban League
Agenda
Zoom Link
Stakeholder Updates
Sign Up for Stakeholder Update Emails
Homelessness Response System Governance
CoC Board Selection Policy
The Austin/Travis County CoC (TX-503) will follow the written process outlined in the HRS Leadership Council Selection Policy to select HRS Leadership Council members and will ensure that the recruitment process meets the needs and guidelines outlined throughout the policy.
Membership Council
The Membership Council ensures that the community has a strong homelessness response system 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.
The voting members of the Membership Council are elected by the coalition of homelessness stakeholders at the Fall Stakeholder meeting. The Governance Charter outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Membership Council and the governing oversight provided on behalf of the Coalition. Membership 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).
The coalition of homelessness stakeholders meets twice a year, and the meetings are open to the public. For more information about how to get involved in Membership Council or the Coalition, email Kate Moore.
Membership Council Agendas & Minutes
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Written Standards
Coordinated Entry
Written Standards for Program Delivery (7/1/20)
Permanent Supportive Housing
Transitional Housing
Local Policies & Procedures
Anti-Discrimination Policy
CoC Grant Amendment Policy
Decision Making and Conflict of Interest Policy
Education Services Policy
Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Policy
HMIS Charter
Membership Council Governance Charter
Outreach Request Policy & Procedures
PSH Transfer Policy
Termination Policy
VAWA Policy and Procedures
Supporting Documents
CoC Program Forms & Documents
External Emergency Transfer Form
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. The current workgroup structure includes:
Click here for a schedule of committee and workgroup meetings
Local Policy & Practice Committee Agendas & Minutes
HUD CoC & ESG Committee Agendas & Minutes
For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations at any ECHO meetings, workshops and/or other events, please email us.