From Homelessness to Housing: Understanding the Coordinated Entry System

Have you ever wondered how individuals experiencing homelessness begin their journey towards stable housing? The process can seem daunting, but in Michigan, the Coordinated Entry System (CES) is designed to streamline this transition.

In essence, the CES streamlines access to resources by ensuring that all entry points—whether through shelters, the Housing Assessment and Resource Agency (HARA), or other agencies—connect to a centralized system. This ensures that every individual and household is efficiently and equitably considered for all available housing options. It also allows for agencies to better manage capacity and prioritize those with the greatest needs.

Community Housing Network, the HARA for Oakland County, collaborated with the Alliance for Housing, Oakland County’s Continuum of Care (CoC), to begin educating members of the community about how the process works and the crucial role it plays in helping people find a place to call home.

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CES

Why is CES Important? 

1. Streamlined Access: Without a CES, people experiencing homelessness might have to visit multiple agencies, fill out numerous forms, and repeat their stories over and over. This can be exhausting and discouraging. A CES simplifies this process by providing a “no wrong door” approach, meaning that no matter who you call within the CES network, you will be connected to an access point to begin an assessment.  
2. Efficient Use of Resources: A CES prioritizes those who are most in need, making sure that the limited resources available are used in the most effective way. This helps agencies be more responsive, provide real-time assistance, and utilize all available resources as efficiently as possible. 
3. Better Data and Planning: When agencies work together through a CES, they can collect and share data more effectively. This helps in understanding the scope of homelessness in the community and planning better services.  
4. Improved Outcomes: By connecting people with the right resources faster, a CES can lead to better outcomes. This means more people getting off the streets and into stable housing, and fewer people falling through the cracks.  

Community agencies follow this process because it’s efficient, it fosters a sense of teamwork leading to more comprehensive support for those in need, and it provides a clear framework for tracking progress and outcomes, making it easier to identify what’s working and what needs improvement. 

CES is one of the best-known tools we have in our fight against homelessness, and we are constantly working to improve this process to ensure that more people are able to access the help they need.