Coordinated Entry

​Coordinated entry is a consistent, community-wide intake process to match people experiencing homelessness to existing community resources that are best fit for their situation. Santa Clara County has been using coordinated assessment for a few years for permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing programs. Now, we are in the process of expanding coordinated entry to shelter and transitional housing programs as well.

​​​​​​​In Santa Clara County’s coordinated entry system, all people experiencing homelessness complete a standard assessment tool (the Vulnerability Index-Service Prioritization Decision Assessment Tool or VI-SPDAT) that considers the household’s situation and identifies the best type of housing intervention to address their situation. A community queue of eligible households is generated from the standard assessment and is used to fill spaces in the permanent housing programs, including permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing. This coordinated process reduces the need for people to traverse the county seeking assistance at every service provider separately.

If you are homeless and want to get assessed, you can visit any of the Santa Clara County access points.