Community Shelter Board (CSB) has released the FY27 Winter Warming Center Request for Proposals (RFP).
CSB has established a transparent, competitive procurement process for FY27 Winter Warming Center Operations and Housing-Focused Services. Qualified organizations are invited to submit proposals to operate Winter Warming Centers, provide housing-focused services, or deliver both program components during the period of December 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027.
The purpose of the Winter Warming Center program is to ensure individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness have access to safe, low-barrier shelter during periods of severe winter weather while connecting participants to housing, benefits, healthcare, and other critical resources.
Applicants should demonstrate organizational capacity, operational readiness, staffing, fiscal stewardship, collaboration, and the ability to deliver housing-focused, person-centered services that emphasize participant choice, trauma-informed practices, cultural responsiveness, de-escalation, safety, and equitable access.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit, faith-based, public, and private organizations. Previous Winter Warming Center experience is valued but not required.
Complete proposals must be submitted electronically to
grants@csb.org.Applicants should review all procurement materials, including the Request for Proposals and Application, before preparing a submission.
The FY26 Winter Warming Centers application will be open August 11, 2025. Submissions are due to CSB by 12:00 am. Contact
grants@csb.org with any questions. Click here to access the application.The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a new FY25 CoC NOFO on November 13, 2025. This NOFO was withdrawn on December 9, 2025, following legal challenges. HUD then reissued the NOFO on December 20, 2025 for public comment only.
Implications for CSB Applicants:
CSB will continues to accept applications for new projects, but these are not being submitted under the CoC FY25 NOFO. All submitted applications will undergo the scoring process and will be eligible to compete once the next official NOFO is released.
For any questions or clarifications regarding the NOFO or the application process, please contact Tracy Whalen Payne at tpayne@csb.org
2025 Continuum of Care Application & 2026 Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) Application
The Continuum of Care governing body will review and prioritize any projects requesting 2026 OHFA tax credits in January 2026 and/or 2025 CoC Bonus funds in the fall after the CoC competition opens.
CoC providers may submit a concept paper by September 9th at midnight for consideration for the upcoming HUD competition.
Submit a Concept Paper by Tuesday, October 14, 2025 to Grants and Compliance Director Christina Blair at cblair@csb.org to be considered for the permanent housing development process. Before beginning work on a Concept Paper, please reach out to us so we can consult on the feasibility of the project, based on the system’s needs.
For the OHFA tax credits application, a Concept Paper may be submitted for consideration through the date of the CoC Board meeting that coincides with the approval for the CoC Application.
The Information Packet and Concept Paper format are below.
| Dates | February 2026 OHFA Competition | September 2025 CoC Competition |
|---|---|---|
|
June 6, 2025 |
2025 CoC Application Concept Paper due to CSB |
|
|
June 2025 |
Concept Papers presented to Citizen Advisory Council (CAC) |
|
|
July 2025 |
|
CoC Board discusses projects and formulates recommendations for 2025 CoC Application Bonus funding. |
|
August 2025 |
CoC discusses, approves, and prioritized project. For new approved projects, the CoC will request both or either: > A CoC Project Application (for projects requesting 2025 CoC Bonus Funds) > A Project Plan (for projects requesting OHFA prioritization). |
|
|
September 9, 2025 |
Second opportunity to submit for the HUD CoC competition |
|
|
TBD Summer 2025 |
|
CoC Project Application due to CSB |
|
TBD Summer 2025 |
|
CoC Project Applications for Scoring and Ranking presented by the CAC |
|
TBD Summer 2025 |
Last opportunity for Concept Papers for 2026 OHFA Competition |
CoC Board/CoC approval meeting of 2025 CoC Application |
|
October 14, 2025 |
Final Project Plans for OHFA prioritization due to CSB |
|
|
November 2025 |
Project Plans presented to the Citizens Advisory Council (and Youth Action Board, If appropriate) |
|
|
December 2025/January 2026 |
CoC Board discusses OHFA projects and Formulates recommendations for CoC |
|
|
January 2026 |
CoC discusses, approves, and prioritizes OHFA projects |
|
|
February 2026 |
OHFA tax credit applications due |
2025 CoC Awards announced |
The FY26 Gateway application will be open February 14, 2025. Submissions are due to CSB by 5pm March 13, 2025. Contact
grants@csb.org with any questions.The FY26 Gateway application will be open February 14, 2025. Submissions are due to CSB by 5pm March 13, 2025. Contact
grants@csb.org with any questions.