The Ithaca / Tompkins County Continuum of Care System (CoC NY-510), led by the Human Services Coalition, is a local network of public, private, and non-profit agencies working collaboratively to end homelessness in Tompkins County. This collaborative process is accomplished through bi-monthly CoC meetings as well as several sub-committees that address issues including the development of new supportive housing, barriers to entry into housing and homeless services, and at-risk youth. The Human Services Coalition also serves as the collaborative applicant in the Continuum of Care Program Competition which funds several supportive housing projects in the City of Ithaca.
The Ithaca/Tompkins Continuum of Care has several ongoing initiatives:
CoC Program Competition (NOFO)
Competitive grant application submitted by the CoC to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for funding to support projects that serve people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.
Point-in-Time Count (PIT)
Provides a snapshot of the homeless population on a single night in January to determine the scope of homelessness in the county. To learn more or to donate to care packages , please contact the Director of Housing Initiatives, Liddy Bargar at 607.273.8686 x241.
Coordinated Entry System
A new approach for persons who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness to access services available to them. If you or one of your clients is homeless or at –risk, contact Simone Gatson, or dial 211 (1.877.211.8667) to request an assessment.
Homeless and Housing Task Force
A bi-monthly meeting focused on educating the general public on a variety of issues affecting the homeless population and the community-at-large. Meetings are free and open to the public.
Reports, Data, and Plans
Tompkins County Homeless Needs Assessment 2022
CoC News
4.17.23 – Ambitious New Plan Aims to Reinvent the Homelessnes Response in Ithaca – Read the Ithaca Voice Article
12.7.21 – Liddy Bargar spoke with the Cornell Daily Sun about local nonprofit efforts to support the community through the winter months. Read the article
5.13.21 – Liddy Bargar and other CoC members spoke with the Ithaca Voice on the challenges of finding affordable housing in the City of Ithaca. Read the article
6.30.20 – Our Director of Housing Initiatives, Liddy Bargar, spoke with Ithaca.com about how local agencies are supporting the homeless population currently inhabiting the Jungle in Ithaca during the Coronavirus pandemic. Read the article
