đź“Ś This is Part 2
In our previous post, The Big Shift: How HUD's New Funding Rules Create Major Opportunities for Recovery Housing Operators, we covered what's changing and why it matters. This guide gets tactical—showing you exactly how to apply for each funding opportunity, with direct links and step-by-step instructions.
Before we dive into the details, here's what you need to know right now:
| Program | Deadline | Where to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| CoC NOFO FY2025 | Jan 14, 2026 @ 8pm ET | grants.gov |
| Indiana RHP (full app) | Feb 22, 2026 | in.gov/ocra/cdbg/rhp |
| West Virginia RHP | Apr 3, 2026 | wvcad.org |
| Second Chance Act (DOJ) | TBA for FY26* | bja.ojp.gov |
FY25 deadline was April 2025; watch for FY26 announcements in early 2026
⚠️ The January 14 Deadline is Real
This is the big one. The FY 2025 CoC Program Competition has $3.9 billion available, with a dramatic shift toward transitional and recovery-focused housing. Here's how the application actually works.
Unlike most federal grants, you don't apply directly to HUD for CoC funding. Instead:
This means your first step isn't filling out forms—it's building a relationship with your local CoC.
Step 1: Find and Contact Your Local CoC Coordinator
Use HUD's directory at hudexchange.info/grantees/contacts (filter by "CoC" under programs). Reach out immediately to express interest in becoming a transitional housing provider. Ask about current gaps in their service area and what they're looking for in partners.
Step 2: Register on Grants.gov and e-snaps
All HUD applications go through their electronic system called e-snaps. Go to esnaps.hud.gov and create an account if you don't have one. You'll also need a Grants.gov registration. Do this early—account setup can take time.
Step 3: Complete Your Project Applicant Profile
In e-snaps, you'll need to complete all profile screens with your organization's information. Click through each section, fill in the required fields, and hit "Complete" when finished. This unlocks the actual application.
Step 4: Register for the FY 2025 Funding Opportunity
In e-snaps, go to "Funding Opportunity Registrations" and select the FY 2025 CoC Program. This tells HUD you intend to apply.
Step 5: Create Your Project
Select "Projects" in the left menu, click "Add," and give your project a name. This creates the container for your application.
Step 6: Complete the Application via "Submissions"
Access your project through the "Submissions" screen and work through each section. The application asks about your organization, proposed services, budget, outcomes tracking, and partnerships.
Step 7: Submit to Your CoC by Their Internal Deadline
Your CoC will have an internal deadline (usually 1-2 weeks before HUD's deadline) so they can review and rank projects. They'll include your project in their consolidated submission to HUD.
RHP is different from CoC funding in one critical way: it's administered by states, not HUD directly. HUD allocates funding to eligible states under the SUPPORT Act, and each state runs its own application process.
This means deadlines, requirements, and application systems vary by state. Here's what we know about current opportunities:
Step 1: Check If Your State Has RHP Allocations
Not all states received funding. Check hudexchange.info/programs/rhp or contact your state housing authority.
Step 2: Contact Your State Housing Authority
Each state administers its own program. Find your state's community development or housing authority and ask about application timelines.
Step 3: Partner with Local Government (If Nonprofit)
Many states require nonprofits to partner with a local government entity as the lead applicant. Start building that relationship now.
Step 4: Prepare Your Documentation
You'll need evidence of community need (local SUD data), organizational capacity, staffing plans, compliance with NARR standards, and partnership commitments.
Step 5: Submit via State System
Applications typically go through state-specific electronic grants management systems—not e-snaps.
Executive Order 14321 explicitly encourages HUD to partner with faith-based and community organizations. If you're a faith-based recovery housing operator, this gives you preferential positioning in the current funding environment.
Step 1: Document Your Faith-Based Status
Prepare documentation showing your organization's faith-based or community organization status.
Step 2: Highlight Program Elements
In your application, emphasize peer support models, community integration, and values-based programming.
Step 3: Build Collaborative Applications
Connect with other faith-based providers in your area for joint applications—this strengthens your collective case.
Step 4: Consider the Solo Applicant Process
If you've attempted to participate in your local CoC but were denied access, you may be eligible to apply directly to HUD. Contact CoCNOFO@hud.gov for guidance on this process.
Key resource: hudexchange.info/programs/priority-faith
These grants come from the Department of Justice (not HUD), but they're highly relevant for recovery housing operators serving people leaving incarceration. The new HUD emphasis on accountability and self-sufficiency aligns perfectly with reentry programming.
Step 1: Register on Grants.gov and JustGrants
DOJ uses JustGrants (not e-snaps) for their applications. Get registered on both systems.
Step 2: Build Reentry Partnerships
Partner with probation/parole departments, courts, and existing reentry programs in your area.
Step 3: Track Reentry-Specific Outcomes
Implement tracking for recidivism reduction, employment outcomes, and housing stability post-release.
Step 4: Watch for FY2026 Announcements
Previous cycles had spring/summer deadlines. Monitor bja.ojp.gov/funding/current for new opportunities.
Step 5: Cross-Reference in HUD Applications
If you serve justice-involved populations, highlight this in your CoC and RHP applications—it demonstrates you're serving a high-need population with strong accountability measures.
The operators who will succeed in this new funding environment are those who can demonstrate measurable outcomes. Sobriety Hub helps recovery housing operators track the metrics that matter—resident outcomes, compliance, and program effectiveness.
Learn How Sobriety Hub Can Help →
The funding is there. The policy priority is clear. But capturing these opportunities requires preparation, partnerships, and proof of outcomes.
If you missed the January 14 CoC deadline, don't wait another year. Start building relationships with your local CoC now. Get your outcomes tracking in order. Apply for state RHP funding where available. Position yourself so that when the next round opens, you're ready.
The federal government is finally investing in what recovery housing has always offered: accountability-based transitional support that helps people achieve lasting self-sufficiency. Now it's time to show them what you can do.
Related: The Big Shift: How HUD's New Funding Rules Create Major Opportunities for Recovery Housing Operators