Funding Priorities 2026
Background
The CoC Governing Council establishes annual funding priorities for the local CoC in coordination with government partners and through the valued participation of stakeholders, including: people with lived experience, Government partners, Employment Committee, Faith Based organizations, Safe Housing Work Group, CoC member organizations, local businesses and other community partners.
Community Input
UNITY of Greater New Orleans thanks all of those who attended community listening sessions or completed the survey. Your ideas and input help inform our community’s unified application for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Homeless Continuum of Care (CoC) funding competition which provides resources for housing and services for people currently or formerly experiencing homelessness.
Community Listening Session
Community listening sessions were held so people could share their ideas and input about the needs of the community. We encouraged attendance by faith-based organizations, people with lived homeless experience, community members, health care providers, affordable housing providers, substance use treatment agencies, behavioral health providers, and homeless service organizations.
People's Council Listening Session: For Individuals with Lived Experience
Tuesday, June 16th, 2pm-3pm
Community Listening Sessions: In-Person
-- Thursday, June 18th, 2pm - 3:15pm - moved to virtual due to the weather.
-- Monday, June 22nd, 10am - 11:15am
Community Listening Session: Virtual Zoom Meeting
Monday, June 22nd, 2pm -- 3:15pm
Faith-Based Community Listening Session
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2pm -- 3:15pm
Unable to make a Listening Session? We still want to hear from you! You can also provide input by using linked below.
CoC Funding Priorities
We appreciate everyone who attended meetings and provided input on funding needs, service gaps, and program strengths. A broad range of community voices helps us to improve the homeless system. Funding Priorities for the FY26 NOFO reflect NOFO priorities and local priorities developed from community input.
Approved 2026 Funding Priorities (available June 29, 2026) after approval from the CoC Governing Council.
FY 2026 CoC Community Engagement Summary
During June 2026, UNITY conducted four stakeholder engagement efforts to inform FY 2026 CoC
funding priorities:
• Three Community Listening Sessions attended by 53 people
• People's Council of Lived Experience Listening Session attended by 26 people
• Unsheltered Homelessness Survey with 19 respondents
• Faith-Based Engagement Listening Session with 23 attendees
The attached summary highlights consensus around several priorities, particularly affordable housing,
behavioral health services, employment supports, and the need for stronger supportive services. This information was used to inform the CoC Governing Council in determining local funding priorities for the FY 2026 CoC competition.