Let Us Start the Process

As a community, Cobb County organizations work together to match individuals and families experiencing homelessness to housing resources that best meet their needs. This process is called Coordinated Entry (CE). It is a process developed to ensure that all people experiencing a housing crisis in our community have fair and equal access to limited housing resources.

As part of CE, Cobb County residents experiencing homelessness are referred to one of two Points of Entry (POE). The CFR serves as one of the POEs for assessment. MUST Ministries is the other.

How Does it Work?

Those experiencing homelessness are given a standard assessment geared toward identifying the level of vulnerability and need. This assessment determines the best type of services available in Cobb for that household.

Both POE’s follow the same processes and can provide CE assessments to individuals, adult-only families, or family households with dependent children.

What Does it Mean to Have a Housing Assessment?

If a family or individual is experiencing homelessness, a CFR case manager performs a housing assessment. This is done through a U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) mandated system called Coordinated Entry (CE).

This approach applies standards to the process of referrals and determines who may be the most vulnerable person or family experiencing homelessness to aid with access to housing and services.

The CFR is a CE Point of Entry, which means community members experiencing homelessness in Cobb County can connect and be assisted by one of our case managers. Individuals and families then complete a housing assessment, and if they meet HUD's definition of homelessness, the case manager works through the next steps.

If an individual or family is determined literally homelessness, fleeing/attempting to flee domestic violence, which are both HUD definitions of homelessness, their name is placed on a priority list. When a CE participating provider has a unit or bed vacancy, the household with the highest needs receives the referral. The referred person or family then receives a notification regarding the identified housing or services provider.

Is personal documentation required?

While personal identifying documentation is not initially required, it is recommended if it is available.

To begin, we will need at least the last four digits of the social security number of the person seeking assistance. It is helpful to have knowledge of this or to have the card. The same applies to a family unit—each member, including the head of household needs to provide this information.

We will need the date of birth (DOB) of the person seeking assistance. It is helpful to have knowledge of this or to have the birth certificate readily available.  The same applies to a family unit; each member, including the head of household, needs to provide this information.

Is the assessment done over the phone or in person?

The CE housing assessment can be completed over the phone or in-person.

  • MUST MINISTRIES, a CE Point of Entry, provides CE Assessment services in-person. To get connected, please call 470-713-5017.
  • The CFR provides CE Assessment service over the phone; however, The CFR can offer CE Assessment service in-person if a team member is available.  To get connected please call 770-428-2601, and a team member will provide phone services within 24 business hours.

What Type of Questions will be asked?

The CE housing assessment determines the vulnerability level or high, moderate, or low acuity a person or family may be experiencing due to their current living situation.  Questions/documents may include, but are not limited to:

  • Consent and release of information
  • Is there is a need for translation services?
  • Are there disabling conditions?
  • Information related to head of household or family member (If applicable)
  • Demographic information
  • Prior/current living situation
  • Length of time experiencing homelessness
  • If diversion or family reunification will resolve their current living situation?
  • Is there a need for a safe haven?
  • Best and current contact information.