In anticipation of the release of HUD’s 2026 Continuum of Care competition Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the Maine Continuum of Care (MCoC) wishes to make eligible applicants, including agencies that have not previously received CoC grants, aware of the potential to create new projects to provide housing and related services to assist people experiencing homelessness in Maine.
While the 2026 NOFO has not been released yet, HUD has stated that it will be posted on or about June 1, 2026, with awards being announced by December 1, 2026. At this time, it is not clear how much funding will be available to MCoC for the creation of new projects, or what the local and federal submission deadlines will be, but once the NOFO is released, things move very quickly and we want potential applicants to be prepared. Links to the full NOFO announcement, along with any related materials and guidance, will be shared on www.mainehomelessplanning.org as soon as they become available. MCoC will do its best to share the latest news, but it is the responsibility of any interested entity to seek out, read, understand, and follow any and all HUD guidance related to the NOFO process.
HUD has indicated that they plan to make significant changes with this NOFO, including what they describe as ‘re-balancing’ continuums, with less emphasis on maintaining existing permanent supportive housing projects, and placing more focus on creating new Transitional Housing and Supportive Services Only projects. They also want Continuums to develop a wide array of partnerships with law enforcement, treatment providers, and faith-based organizations that may not have previously participated in Continuum efforts.
Nonprofit organizations, including Faith-Based Nonprofits, State and local governments, instrumentalities of state and local governments, and Indian Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHE), may apply for Continuum of Care funding. Access to 2026 application is not yet available. Once available, all applications must be submitted using the esnaps portal. Information about esnaps, including detailed instructions on how to register and complete an application will be available on the CoC Program page. Be sure to follow the most up to date guidance posted by HUD. You can access esnaps here: Electronic Special Needs Assistance Program System (e-snaps) Login Portal. Even if you have used esnaps before, please be sure your esnaps registration and applicant profile are up to date before proceeding to the application.
All projects will require 25% “Match” funding (with some very limited exceptions for Leasing and YHDP projects). Please note that MaineHousing will not be providing Match funding for projects that involve New Construction and/or Acquisition and Rehabilitation of physical properties that are submitted as part of this NOFO.
If you have not already done so, please subscribe to the www.mainehomelessplanning.org site to receive email notifications whenever new information is posted. The site includes lots of information about MCoC, the Maine Statewide Homeless Council, and other initiatives to address homelessness in Maine. The site calendar includes links to MCoC and Committee meetings you may be interested in.