2026 Continuum of Care (CoC) Program NOFO Competition

On August 7, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island issued summary judgment in litigation concerning the FY 2026 CoC NOFO. The Court vacated the FY 2026 NOFO and its associated deadlines in full, meaning HUD cannot move forward with the competition under the NOFO as currently issued. This ruling does not impact the 2025 NOFO and HUD is currently disbursing funds for grants with periods of performance for FY 26-27.

The Court’s decision centered on the process HUD used to issue the NOFO. The FY 2026 NOFO included a $1.3 billion set-aside intended to incentivize new projects emphasizing transitional housing and supportive services. The Court found that, under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, HUD was required to undertake a formal public notice-and-comment process before creating incentives for activities outside certain approaches specifically identified in the statute. Because HUD did not complete that process before issuing the NOFO, the Court found that the NOFO was procedurally invalid under the Administrative Procedure Act and vacated it.  

Importantly, the Court did not rule on the other substantive challenges to the FY 2026 NOFO because the procedural issue was sufficient to resolve the case. The Court also declined to issue a permanent injunction preventing HUD from pursuing similar policies in the future.

What this means for San Francisco 

At this time, there is no active FY 2026 CoC NOFO. We are awaiting additional information from HUD about next steps, including whether HUD will issue a new or revised NOFO, establish a new timeline, or appeal the ruling. There remains a range of possible scenarios, and the timing and requirements of the next funding process are not yet clear.  

For now, HSH and HomeBase are taking the following approach: 

• Continue reviewing new project applications that have already been submitted.  
• Pause work on the broader CoC application until there is greater clarity from HUD.  
• Avoid investing significant staff and partner time in drafting responses to requirements that may change if a new NOFO is issued.  
• Continue monitoring federal developments and assess whether any changes to San Francisco’s process are needed once HUD provides further guidance. 

We recognize that this development adds another layer of uncertainty to an already complex process. HSH will continue working closely with HomeBase and our partners to respond as additional information becomes available and to minimize unnecessary work or disruption wherever possible. 

This remains a continually evolving situation. We will keep HSH staff, providers, and community stakeholders informed as we receive additional federal guidance, including any changes to requirements, timelines, or next steps. 

On Monday, August 3rd, the LHCB approved the final ranked list of projects solidifying Tier 1 and Tier 2. No projects were rejected or removed from the list and all projects that submitted completed applications were accepted. You can view the final ranked list approved by the LHCB in the excel below.SF Final Ranked List

The preliminary 2026 priority listing is available and can be reviewed here

No projects were rejected from the ranked list. One project had its funding amount reduced from the original request. Project applicants eligible to appeal are being notified separately via email.

The appeals process can be found here.

Those appealing can contact Homebase to request more detailed information on their scoring, but must do so by 5 pm on Monday, July 27, 2026 via email at SF@homebaseccc.org.

For project applicants who are eligible to appeal, appeals are due to Homebase on Wednesday July 29th at 5 pm. Appeals must be sent to both Charles.Minor@sfgov.org and sf@homebaseccc.org.

The written appeal is limited to two pages typed, 12-point font. The appeal should state all grounds for appeal, by reference to information contained within the original application materials.

The written appeal must be signed by an individual authorized to represent the recipient or subrecipient (e.g. Executive Director) and indicate pertinent sections of the application upon which its arguments are founded.

No extraneous detail will be taken into consideration, with the exception of ranking context provided verbally by a non-voting Priority Panel member in attendance on Appeals Day.

The appeals panel will meet from 1-2pm on July 31st and applicants will be notified of the results later that day.

Once the appeals panel has met, the LHCB will meet to vote and finalize the ranked list at their Monday, August 3rd LHCB meeting.

Esnaps Update:
Only new projects will have to go into ESNAPS, however, these projects will be contacted directly with more information and additional instructions. Renewal projects will not have to update or do anything in ESNAPS.

Thursday, June 25th, 2026
Hybrid Bidders Conference

Location:
The NOFO Bidders Conference will be hybrid on Zoom and in-person from
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM

at
Born Auditorium 
170 Otis Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

Homebase and HSH will be facilitating the NOFO FY2026 Bidders conference in preparation for the recently released CoC NOFO.

The Bidders Conference is required for all those involved in the project application process. If you are not involved in drafting/updating the CoC project application, you do not need to come. Many support services and property management staff likely do not need to attend.

If your agency is considering a new or renewal project application (including as an existing HSH subrecipient of CoC funds), Bidders is required and will have vital information about the application process.

HSH and Homebase will be providing an overview of the FY2026 NOFO and the types of projects it can fund. We will also discuss eligible project types and participants, as well as how the application process will look for new and renewal projects. Note that all project applicants will need to have their applications in by July 16th. This date is necessary to meet HUD's mandated timeframe.

The meeting will be hybrid with both in-person and virtual options available. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

Materials:Bidders Conference Folder

Thursday, June 25th, 2026

2:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Born Auditorium 
170 Otis Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

To attend the Bidders Conference remotely, please use the following link:

Zoom Link for Bidders