How Coordinated Entry Works When You Need Housing Help

What Coordinated Entry is and why it exists

Coordinated Entry is a system that most cities and counties use to match people experiencing homelessness with available housing and services. Instead of going to multiple agencies and waiting in different lines, you go through one intake process. That information gets shared across the local network so housing programs know who you are, what you need, and where you fit in the queue.

The system exists because housing resources are limited. Without coordination, the same person might apply to five programs, get turned away by three, and never hear back from two. Meanwhile, someone else might get offered help from multiple places at once while others get nothing. Coordinated Entry tries to match the right person to the right program the first time.

Most cities run Coordinated Entry through a single access point — often called a "hub" or "access center" — though some larger areas have multiple entry points that feed into the same system. You do not have to know which program is best for you. You answer questions about your situation, and the system directs you to what is available.

Key Takeaways

• Coordinated Entry is a single intake process run by your city or county that connects you to local housing programs instead of making you apply to each one separately.
• You will be asked about your housing history, income, health conditions, and family situation so the system can prioritize you based on local rules and available resources.
• The process usually takes one to three weeks from intake to a housing offer, though wait times vary by city and how many people are in the queue ahead of you.
• Your information is shared across participating agencies, so you do not have to repeat your story to every program, but you can ask what information is being shared and with whom.
• If you are turned down, you can ask why and whether you can reapply or be referred to a different program that might be a better fit.

How to find your local Coordinated Entry access point

Start by calling 211 or visiting 211.org and entering your zip code. This is a free referral service that knows which agencies run Coordinated Entry in your area and can tell you the address, phone number, and hours. If your city is large enough to have multiple entry points, 211 will tell you which one serves your neighborhood.

You can also contact your city or county housing authority directly. Search "[your city] housing authority" or "[your county] homeless services" and ask for Coordinated Entry. Many cities list their access points on their website under "homelessness prevention" or "housing assistance."

Some areas also run Coordinated Entry through nonprofits that specialize in homelessness services. If you are already working with a shelter, outreach team, or case manager, they can tell you where to go or sometimes submit your intake information on your behalf.

What happens during the intake interview

The intake worker will ask you about your current housing situation, how long you have been without stable housing, your income and employment, your health and any disabilities, your family composition, and whether you have any criminal history or other barriers. They will also ask about your preferences — whether you want to live alone or with family, whether you need pet-friendly housing, and whether you have transportation needs.

This is not a test you can pass or fail. The questions are designed to help the system understand your needs and match you to programs that can actually serve you. If you have a disability, mental health condition, substance use history, or other challenge, tell them. Programs exist specifically for people with those situations, and hiding it only delays you getting to the right place.

The intake usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. Bring any documents you have — ID, proof of income, medical records, custody papers if you have children — but lack of documents will not stop you from being entered into the system. You will be given a case number or reference number so you can follow up.

How prioritization works and what affects your place in line

Coordinated Entry uses a prioritization system to decide who gets housing offers first. The exact rules vary by city, but most systems prioritize based on how long you have been homeless, whether you have a disability or serious health condition, whether you are a family with children, and whether you have barriers like criminal history or active substance use that limit which programs can serve you.

Some cities use a points system where you earn points for each factor — more points means higher priority. Others use categories: families with children get priority, then chronically homeless individuals, then everyone else. A few cities use a "vulnerability index" that looks at your age, health, and likelihood of dying on the street.

You do not get to choose your priority level. It is determined by your answers during intake. If you disagree with how you were prioritized, ask the intake worker to explain the reasoning and whether you can appeal or provide additional information.

The timeline from intake to a housing offer

After your intake, your information goes into a shared database that all participating housing programs can see. Programs regularly review the list of people waiting and make offers based on their available units and their own program rules. This process usually takes one to three weeks, but can be faster if there are many available units or slower if the queue is long.

During this time, you should stay in contact with the access point. Call or visit every week or two to confirm they have your current phone number and address where they can reach you. If you move or change your number, tell them immediately — many people miss housing offers because the program could not find them.

When a program has a unit that matches your needs, they will contact you to make an offer. You will learn about the specific housing, the program rules, and what you need to do next. You have the right to ask questions and understand what you are committing to before you accept.

What to do if you are not offered housing or if you decline an offer

If you decline a housing offer, you stay in the system and remain in the queue for the next available unit. However, some programs have rules about how many times you can decline before being removed from their list. Ask the access point what those rules are so you understand the consequences.

If weeks pass and you have not heard anything, contact the access point and ask for a status update. Ask whether your information is still active, whether any programs have reviewed your file, and what you can do to move the process along. Sometimes intake information gets lost or a worker leaves and does not hand off cases properly.

If you are told you do not meet the criteria for any local programs, ask why and what your options are. Some programs serve only chronically homeless individuals, or only families, or only people with specific disabilities. The access point should be able to tell you which programs might work for your situation or refer you to other services like emergency shelter or financial assistance.

Your rights and what information is shared

You have the right to know what information about you is in the Coordinated Entry system and who can see it. You can ask to see your file and request corrections if anything is wrong. You also have the right to ask which agencies have access to your information and for what purpose.

Information is shared only with agencies that participate in Coordinated Entry and only for the purpose of matching you with housing. Your information is not shared with law enforcement, immigration authorities, or other agencies unless you give permission or there is a legal requirement to do so. Ask the access point about their privacy policy if you have concerns.

If you have experienced domestic violence, tell the intake worker. Many systems have special protections for survivors, including the ability to keep your location confidential and to work with programs that specialize in domestic violence housing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use Coordinated Entry or can I apply to programs directly?

Most housing programs in your area will only accept referrals through Coordinated Entry, so going directly usually will not work. However, some emergency shelter beds and rapid rehousing programs may accept walk-ins. Call 211 or your local housing authority to ask which programs accept direct applications and which require Coordinated Entry.

What if I have a criminal record or past eviction?

Tell the intake worker about it. Some programs will not work with people who have certain convictions or eviction histories, but others specifically serve people with those barriers. Hiding it only means you will be matched with a program that rejects you later. Being honest gets you to a program that will actually take you.

Can my family stay together if we go through Coordinated Entry?

Most systems have programs for families with children that keep parents and kids together. If you have adult children or other family members, ask the intake worker whether family units can be housed together or whether you will be separated. Some programs allow it and some do not.

How long will I have to wait for housing after I am entered into the system?

Wait times vary widely depending on your city, how many people are ahead of you, and what type of housing you need. One to three weeks is typical, but it can be longer in areas with high demand and limited units. Ask the access point for a realistic estimate based on current wait times in your area.

What if I miss a call or appointment related to my housing offer?

Tell the program immediately and explain what happened. Most programs will try to reach you again, but if you miss multiple contacts they may move on to the next person in line. Keep your phone charged and available, and let the access point know if your contact information changes.