Continuum of Care Program

The Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Continuum of Care (CoC) Program provides significant financial resources to communities throughout the country and mandates procedures and policies for implementing a local housing crisis response system. Notices regarding the Fairfax CoC Program local competition and Fairfax County's CoC Consolidated Application (our community's request for funding) are available on this page, which will be updated throughout the competition.
 

Fairfax County Posts 2026 CoC-Approved Consolidated Application – see “Application Materials for New & Renewal Projects” tab below
 

HUD Reopens FY 2026 CoC Competition: Fairfax County Resumes Preparations
September 21, 2026

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) officially reopened the FY 2026 Continuum of Care (CoC) Program Competition, setting a new federal submission deadline of Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 8:00 pm ET. The reopening follows an emergency stay granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit pending appeal.  In response, the Fairfax County CoC immediately resumed local processes to finalize the CoC’s Consolidated Application and submit it on time. 

2026 HUD CoC Program Competition Update

On Friday, August 7, 2026, the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island posted a Memorandum and Order from United States District Judge, Mary S. McElroy, regarding two related challenges to action undertaken by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) related to the latest Continuum of Care competition notice of funding opportunity (NOFO). The Commonwealth of Virginia joined one of the two suits in July. The Conclusion in the Memorandum and Order states the following:

“For the foregoing reasons, the Court GRANTS IN PART and DENIES IN PART Plaintiffs’ Motions for Summary Judgment and DENIES IN PART and GRANTS IN PART HUD’s Cross-Motions for Summary Judgment. (26-cv-436, ECF Nos. 30, 32; 26-cv-439, ECF Nos. 34, 37.) The Court therefore sets aside HUD’s issuance of the 2026 NOFO in its entirety as violative of the APA. The Court, however, denies Plaintiffs’ request for a permanent injunction. Because, as described above, the Court concludes that the 2026 NOFO may not proceed based on its procedural infirmity, it obviates the need for the Court to rule on the other aspects of the parties’ motions at this time.”

As a result, the Fairfax CoC’s current FY2026 CoC competition process is paused and will not move forward under the existing timeline. Recognizing that HUD has different options it may take at this point, the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness is actively monitoring developments, coordinating with local partners, and will share updates as new information is available.

Please email Stephen Knippler, CoC Manager, at stephen.knippler@fairfaxcounty.gov if you have questions.