Coordinated Entry

Coordinated Entry is a centralized and coordinated assessment system which covers the geographic area of the Northern Nevada Continuum of Care (CoC) to respond to homelessness in Washoe County. It is accessible to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and seeking housing or services and includes a comprehensive and standardized assessment tool called the Community Housing Assessment Tool (CHAT).

Coordinated Entry is a community wide process that aims to provide housing to individuals most in need through a cohesive process involving multiple community partners. Multiple local agencies assess clients using the CHAT, creating multiple entry points for access to housing funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Northern Nevada CoC. The CHAT assessment utilizes the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), a database widely used in the Northern Nevada CoC, and through the HMIS system it creates a prioritized Community Housing List. The Community Housing List (or “Community Queue”) and adherence to HUD and local Coordinated Entry policy helps ensure fair and equal access to HUD CoC funded housing programs for everyone.

What does Coordinated Entry look like in Northern Nevada?

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What is Coordinated Entry?

It’s a local process that helps people who don’t have a place to live find housing.
It connects individuals and families experiencing homelessness with housing programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

How does it work?

Meet with a case worker or outreach worker.
Answer questions about your current situation to identify your housing needs.
If you’re eligible, you’ll be added to a prioritized list for housing. (Those with greater needs are placed higher on the list.)
You may then be referred to available housing options based on your priority level, eligibility, and any openings.

Why is the CHAT important?

When you reach out for housing help (for example, by calling 2-1-1), you’ll complete the Community Housing Assessment Tool (CHAT).
The CHAT score reflects how urgent your housing needs are.
People with higher CHAT scores get priority on the list for available housing.

Various agencies in our community can help you with the CHAT assessment. Most people get assessed at the Nevada Cares Campus, but if you’d like another choice, you can call the HSA, Division of Housing & Homeless Services office at 775-325-8210.

Need a Community Housing Assessment Tool (CHAT) assessment?

Multiple agencies assess clients using the CHAT, creating multiple entry points for access to housing funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Northern Nevada uses the "no wrong door" approach to assessments. This means that various agencies in our community can help you with the CHAT assessment. Please see the list of local CHAT assessor agencies below:

ASSESSOR AGENCY/ PROGRAM	ASSESSMENT AVAILABILITY	AGENCY CONTACTS
Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada	Address: Appointments can be scheduled at the Resource Hub located at 500 E 4th St, Reno, NV 89512, or over the phone. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-12pm and 1-4pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday.	For questions or to schedule an assessment, call 775-322-7073.
Eddy House Eddy House serves youth 18-24 and welcomes new clients 24/7.	Address: 888 Willow St., Reno, NV. Hours: Case Managers are available for intakes Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm. CHAT assessments will be scheduled upon intake.	Questions may be answered over the phone at 775-384-1129.
Nevada Cares Campus Emergency Shelter	Address: Drop-in assessments available at 1800 Threlkel St., Reno, NV, 89512. Hours: Monday-Saturday from 8am-5pm. Closed on Sundays.	For questions or to request an assessment, call 775-329-4141.
Northern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services (NNAMHS)	Address: Assessments available by appointment only. Hours: Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 2-4pm. Closed Tues/Thurs/Sat/Sun.	Call 775-688-2001 for scheduling.
Northern Nevada Veteran’s Administration (VA)	Address: Drop-in hours for assessments available at 350 Capitol Hill Avenue, Reno, NV 89502. Hours: Monday-Friday from 7:30am-3pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday.	Appointments can be requested by phone at 775-324-6600.
OUR Place Emergency Shelter	Address: Drop-in assessments available at 605 S 21st St, Sparks, NV 89431. Hours: Monday - Saturday from 8am-5pm. Closed on Sundays.	For questions or to request an assessment, call 775-327-7501.
Restart Homeless Services	Address: Drop-in assessments available at 1095 E. Taylor St., Reno, NV 89502. Hours: Monday-Thursday from 8am-12pm & 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Closed Saturday, Sunday, and major holidays.	Assessments can also be scheduled by phone at 775-324-2622.
Safe Embrace	Hours: Appointments available Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday.	CHAT assessments can be requested through the 24/7 crisis hotline at 775-322-3466.
Steps to New Freedom	Hours: Mon-Tues from 8am-7:30pm, Wed-Thurs from 8am-5pm. Closed Friday-Sunday.	Drop-in assessments available. Appointments can be made over the phone at 775-322-4003.
The Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality (RISE) Street Outreach	Hours: Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm. Closed Saturday-Sunday.	To schedule an assessment, call 775-486-3041.
WC Health Northern Nevada	Drop-in assessments available at two Psychiatric Urgent Facilities (PUF): PUF 1: 830 Mill Street Suites 100-101, Reno, NV 89502 PUF 2: 155 W. 2nd St., Reno, NV 89503 Hours: Monday - Friday from 9am-5pm. Closed Saturday-Sunday.	For questions or to request an assessment, call 775-538-6700.

Additional Resources

Immediate shelter, nutritional support and clothing needs: This list of resources assist people experiencing homelessness and people who are in transition. To view these resources, click here.

Additional Information

If you are interested in additional information, please contact Washoe County Housing and Homeless Services at: RegionalHomelessServices@washoecounty.gov