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.  

Key Details & Next Steps

• Local Projects Selected:  The CoC’s Selection and Ranking Committee has completed its selection of renewal and new project applications according to community priorities.  
• Applicant Notifications: All applicants have received written notice regarding project acceptance, reduction, or rejection, along with project ranking.  
• Public Review: The final Consolidated Application and Priority Listing will be posted on the County’s local CoC webpage for public inspection before final submission to HUD. The availability of the materials will be announced via the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development's Office to Prevent and End Homelessness newsletter. Subscribe.

Action Items for Project Applicants

• Review Rental Assistance Waiver: Applicants submitting applications for Permanent Supportive Housing or Transitional Housing must review HUD’s Waiver to Allow Private Nonprofit Recipients of the FY 2026 Continuum of Care Competition and Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program Grants NOFO to Administer Rental Assistance and notify Continuum of Care Manager Stephen Knippler at stephen.knippler@fairfaxcounty.gov by Wednesday, September 23, at 5:00 pm ET if they wish to revise their project to use CoC funds to provide Rental Assistance, rather than Leasing.  
• Verify Data: Project applicants must review Applicant Profile and project details in e-snaps.  
• Monitor Communications: Watch for email updates and notifications from County staff.  
• Meet Local Deadlines: Adhere to new local deadlines to allow sufficient time for final compilation and technical checks ahead of the September 30 cutoff.  

Questions & Support

Visit the Fairfax County Continuum of Care website or contact Stephen Knippler, CoC Manager, at stephen.knippler@fairfaxcounty.gov.