About the MCHH
Driving Collective Impact
The Milwaukee Coalition on Housing & Homelessness (MCHH) brings together housing providers, emergency shelters, and supportive service organizations united by a shared goal—to prevent and end homelessness in Milwaukee.
In partnership with community-based agencies and local stakeholders, MCHH coordinates the city’s Continuum of Care (CoC) Program, ensuring a comprehensive, collaborative approach to addressing homelessness. Operated by the City of Milwaukee, which serves as the Lead Agency and Collaborative Applicant, MCHH works to align resources, strengthen partnerships, and advance data-driven strategies that help individuals and families achieve safe, stable, and affordable housing.
What is a Continuum of Care (CoC) Program?
The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program is a federally funded initiative that supports a community-wide commitment to ending homelessness. It organizes and delivers housing and services that help individuals and families move toward stable housing and greater self-sufficiency.
The program provides vital resources to nonprofit organizations, local governments, Tribal entities, and housing providers to help quickly rehouse people experiencing homelessness, while minimizing trauma and disruption. In addition, the CoC program promotes access to mainstream resources and services, helping individuals achieve stability, independence, and long-term self-sufficiency while preventing future homelessness.
What does a CoC Program do?
A CoC Program is a coordinated community system designed to end homelessness through collaboration, resources, and data-driven solutions. Its main goals are to promote communitywide commitment to ending homelessness, quickly rehouse individuals and families, improve access to mainstream programs and services, and support long-term self-sufficiency. A CoC has four necessary parts:
Outreach, Intake, and Assessment: Identifies housing and service needs and connects people to the right level of support.
Emergency Shelter: Offers a safe, immediate alternative to sleeping on the streets, especially for families with children.
Rapid Re-Housing: Provides temporary housing with supportive services to help individuals and families build skills for independent living.
Permanent Housing: Ensures access to affordable homes, with supportive services available for those who need them.
A CoC also plays a key role in coordinating local housing and service systems, managing the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), and overseeing the funding application process for CoC programs. Together, these efforts strengthen the community’s capacity to provide safe, stable housing and empower individuals and families to rebuild their lives.
The Continuum of Care is organized into 4 main components:
Lead Agency & Collaborative Applicant
The City of Milwaukee serves as both the Lead Agency and the Collaborative Applicant for the Continuum of Care (CoC).
As the Lead Agency, the City leads and coordinates the community’s response to homelessness, working to strengthen services, expand resources, and increase access to safe, affordable housing across Milwaukee.
As the Collaborative Applicant, the City also manages the CoC funding process. In this role, the City applies for and oversees federal housing and homelessness grants on behalf of the CoC, ensuring that applications are accurate, complete, and ready for submission.
Coordinator Entry Lead
IMPACT, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit organization, serves as the Coordinated Entry Lead for the community. In this role, IMPACT is the main access point for people experiencing homelessness to connect with emergency shelter and housing resources. The organization uses a consistent, fair process to ensure everyone has equal access to available programs and receives support navigating the housing system.
HMIS Lead
The Institute for Community Alliances (ICA) manages the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for Milwaukee. HMIS is a secure database that tracks information about individuals and families who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. It helps agencies collect and share data on housing and services, improving coordination and outcomes across the community.
Discover the dedicated organizations and partners that make up the
Milwaukee Coalition on Housing & Homelessness.
