Item:
Title
Continuum of Care ILA Renewal
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: August 24, 2026
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The proposed resolution approves an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) between Durham County and the City of Durham that establishes a new governance structure for the NC 502 Continuum of Care (Durham’s CoC). The ILA reconstitutes HSAC as the Continuum of Care Governing Board, a thirteen-member body charged with HEARTH Act oversight and CoC compliance. These changes implement key governance recommendations of the Durham Strategic Framework to Prevent and End Homelessness, clarifying roles, right-sizing membership, and strengthening accountability so that the City and County can move from planning into implementation.
The new ILA was developed with input from HSAC members and community partners to replace the 2012 agreement.
Key changes from the 2012 agreement include:
• Reconstituting HSAC as the Continuum of Care Governing Board. The renamed body reflects HUD’s federally defined CoC governance role under the HEARTH Act and signals a new phase of focused, accountable governance aligned with the Strategic Framework.
• A right-sized, sector-based thirteen-member voting body. The new Board includes designated seats for Durham County, the City of Durham, the Durham Housing Authority, Durham Public Schools, a person with lived experience of homelessness, the business sector, a homelessness service provider, a public safety agency, and five at-large members.
• Clearer roles and responsibilities for the City, County, and CoC Governing Board. The agreement enumerates distinct responsibilities, including the City’s duties as Lead Agency and Collaborative Applicant, the County’s role in coordinating prevention resources and DSS programs, and the Board’s responsibilities for HEARTH Act compliance, HMIS oversight, the annual Point in Time Count, and review and approval of the CoC Consolidated Application.
• Structured terms and a new selection process. Members serve three-year terms with a maximum of two consecutive terms. Non-institutional seats are filled through an open application and voting process administered by the City Clerk’s Office and the CoC, ensuring sector representation rather than organizational interests.
• Updated standards for ethics, attendance, education, and conflicts of interest. The agreement aligns with the City and County Codes of Ethics, 24 C.F.R. § 578.95, the Open Meetings Law, and HUD Governance Charter requirements, including a mandatory annual orientation for all Board members.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: Healthy and Inclusive Community: Supporting equitable and inclusive health and well-being for all.
Resource Persons: Maurice Jones, Deputy County Manager.
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends the Board approve the resolution authorizing the County Manager to execute the City of Durham and Durham County Interlocal Agreement Regarding the Continuum of Care and the Continuum of Care Governing Board.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________