Governance Structure
The RICoC is governed by the RICoC Board of Directors. Each Director is elected from the RICoC Membership to serve a two-year term. The Board of Directors consists of up to 17 elected members and is responsible for overseeing all functions of the CoC.
The RICoC has ten (10) standing committees made up of volunteers who help manage the Continuum’s day-to-day operations. These committees assist the RICoC in its routine functions and may offer recommendations or advice to the Board.
Additionally, one of the responsibilities of the Board is to designate a Collaborative Applicant, a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Lead Agency, and a Coordinated Entry System Lead Agency(ies). RIHousing is the current Collaborative Applicant for the RICoC and, therefore, is responsible for overseeing its annual funding competition, compliance processes, strategic planning, and policy oversight. The RI Coalition to End Homelessness is the HMIS and CES Lead and, therefore, is responsible for operating the HMIS and CES systems in RI. Crossroads RI is the current Housing Problem Solving Coordinated Entry lead.
Please click on the tabs below for more information about the RICoC Governance Structure, Membership, Board of Directors, and Committees.
RI Continuum of Care Governance Charter identifies the goals, purpose, composition, responsibilities, and governance structure of the Rhode Island Statewide Continuum of Care. View the charter.
Membership is currently open for 2026. Individuals interested in joining the RICoC as Members or Supporters will need to fill out a quick application, which can be accessed by scanning the QR Code. The deadline for joining the 2026 RICoC Membership is December 3, 2025, at 5 pm.
Interested candidates should be dedicated to advancing community-wide planning and the strategic use of resources to address homelessness; improving coordination and integration with mainstream resources and other programs targeted to people at risk of or experiencing chronic homelessness; improving data collection and performance measurements for programs designed to end homelessness; and supporting
Individuals can engage with the RICoC as Members or Supporters. Those affiliated with eligible Rhode Island organizations or with lived experience of homelessness may join. Members actively advance RICoC’s work and hold voting rights, while Supporters stay informed and engaged with the RICoC, and they do not hold voting privileges.
Interested persons should align with one or more of the following relevant stakeholder categories:
- Advocacy organizations
- Affordable housing developers
- Businesses
- Faith-based organizations
- Hospitals
- Law enforcement organizations
- Mental health agencies
- Nonprofit homeless assistance providers
- Organizations that serve veterans
- Organizations that serve households experiencing homelessness
- Political subdivisions and other government entities
- Person(s) with lived experience of homelessness
- Public housing agencies
- School districts
- Social service providers
- Universities
- Victim service providers
Responsibilities of the RICOC Membership: Members of the RICOC Membership are tasked with the following responsibilities:
- Members will vote to elect candidates from among the Membership to fill Board seats as vacancies arise
- Members will vote to approve the governance framework outlined in Articles I through X of the Charter and any subsequent changes or additions to that framework.
- Members agree to attend four (4) Membership meetings annually. The RICoC Board meetings are typically scheduled on the first Thursday of every month from 3:30PM to 5PM in Providence, RI. Combined Membership and Board meetings occur every three months for a total of four meetings annually.
The RICoC is governed by the Board of Directors. The Board of the RICoC is comprised of up to 17 elected members representing various agencies and stakeholders, and people with lived experience of homelessness. The Board typically meets on the first Thursday of every month from 3:30 PM to 5 PM in Providence, RI. Combined Membership and Board meetings occur every three months for a total of four meetings annually.
Resource:
- List of the RICoC Board of Directors
- RICoC 2025 Board and Membership Meeting Schedule
- RICoC Board and Membership Meeting Minutes: Click here to visit the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s listing of open meeting minutes of the Rhode Island Continuum of Care.
The Rhode Island Continuum of Care (RICoC) has ten (10) standing committees made up of volunteers who help manage the Continuum’s day-to-day operations. These committees assist the RICoC in its routine functions and may offer recommendations or advice to the Board for approval. Each committee has a general area of oversight and has specific responsibilities as outlined in the RICoC Governance Charter.
Should I join a committee?
Yes! Committee members play a significant role in the work of the RICoC. If you have a policy or procedure you would like to change or implement, we invite you to join a committee.
How to join a committee
All Committees meet virtually through a video conferencing link, which can be accessed through the RICoC calendar. Anyone can join RICoC Committees. To join a committee and be added to the meeting invitation, you can reach out to the person listed under contact information for the committee you want to join. You can also contact CoC Planning staff to be added to the committee meeting invitations.
View the RICoC Committee Meeting Schedule and Contact Information.