Toolkit Engaging Faith-Based and Civic Partners in Homeless Response Systems

This guide was developed by the Homeless and Housing Resource Center to strengthen
the support for individuals and families who are homeless and have serious mental illness (SMI),
substance use disorders (SUDs), or co-occurring disorders (CODs) by engaging faith-based and
civic organizations in homeless response systems. The goal is to support people working within
the homeless response system, including Continuum of Care (CoC) staff and leads, coordinated
entry managers and navigators, behavioral health service providers, community planners, and local
government liaisons. The aim is to deepen relationships, build partnerships based on understanding
and trust, and improve coordination with critical community resources. In rural areas, faith-based and
civic organizations often serve as the primary social infrastructure supporting people with SMI, SUD,
and COD in obtaining stable housing.