BCCC Releases 2026 Review and Ranking Procedures for the Local CoC Competition

The Bristol County Continuum of Care (BCCC) has released its BRISTOL COUNTY COC REVIEW and RANKING PROCEDURES.2026 document outlining how CoC and City of New Bedford ESG-funded projects are/will be evaluated, scored, and ranked this funding cycle.

Review and ranking is led by the BCCC’s Performance Review Committee (PRC), a cross-sector group representing philanthropy, the private sector, non-profit providers, and municipal staff — none with a financial interest in CoC-funded programs. The New Bedford Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD), the CoC’s Collaborative Applicant, supports the PRC with quarterly monitoring reports.

The PRC reviews all new, renewal, and reallocation applications; evaluates them against the Continuum’s needs, gaps, and available HUD funding; ranks projects; and recommends a final slate — by tier for CoC projects, and by score for ESG projects — to the full BCCC for a vote.

How Projects Are Scored

New, bonus, and renewal projects are each scored on a 100-point scale, based on the application itself, threshold/merit review findings, and site visits or interviews where applicable. Criteria include performance against plans and goals, timeliness, participant outcomes, financial management, and capacity.

Tiering, Bonus Projects, and Reallocation

Once HUD’s NOFO is released, ranked projects are organized into funding tiers based on priority, performance, and identified gaps. The 2026 round also includes bonus project opportunities, including a new DV Bonus option covering SSO-CE DV, Transitional Housing, and PSH-RRH projects. Reallocation — shifting funds from underperforming renewals to new projects — remains available and is reviewed by the PRC.

Appeals

Agencies that believe their project was unfairly eliminated may appeal through OHCD, though not on the basis of incomplete applications, missing attachments, or missed deadlines. Applicants may also pursue a Solo Application directly to HUD under the conditions outlined in the procedures.