St. Louis County presenters told ranking-and-review volunteers that recent HUD policy guidance, including an executive order described in the training as aimed at "ending the crisis of homelessness on our streets," asks Continuums of Care to shift emphasis toward outreach, intervention and treatment-oriented programming.

Speaker 2 summarized the priorities, saying HUD "would like COCs to direct funds toward outreach intervention and assistance, rather than permanent supportive housing," and noted an increased focus on treatment and recovery that could include on-site treatment and expectations that program participants engage with services. Speaker 2 also acknowledged "some legal concerns with that last piece," which staff said they would track as the guidance is implemented.

County presenters said public-safety considerations will factor into applications; Speaker 2 cited Duluth's recent public camping ordinance as an example of local policy context that the CoC will consider when assembling its application. Staff framed the guidance as influential but not fully prescriptive in local application decisions, and they emphasized they are watching how HUD policy and potential legal questions land.

Training presenters asked reviewers to factor the new HUD priorities into narrative evaluations but also to rely on the county's community-driven policy changes (vetted by providers, lived experience groups and Heading Home) when recommending how projects should be ranked. The county will present the ranking the volunteers finalize to the Heading Home Advisory Council, which will vote on the collaborative application before the county submits it to HUD.

County staff directed reviewers to the narrative guide and requested reviewers prepare questions for a Thursday meeting that will include an explanation of ranking decisions and next steps on appeals.