The Mississippi Balance of State Continuum of Care (MSBoSCoC) is led by a governing council of representatives from various disciplines. A total of fifteen chartered voting members are the primary decision-making group of the CoC Membership.

In the Spring of 2023, the membership of the MSBoS voted to confirm our new Governing Council:

Council Members

Executive Committee

• Executive Committee Chair: Rebecca Nelson – United Way of Northeast MS, Tupelo, MS
• Vice Chair: Colleen Hartfield – Hinds Community College – Raymond, MS
• Secretary/ Treasurer: Jason Spencer – Tennessee Valley Regional Housing Authority, Corinth, MS

Council Members

• Allrick Young – Laurel Housing Authority, Laurel, MS
• Chantel Maye – G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center – Jackson, MS
• Florida McKay – Bolivar County Community Action Agency, Cleveland, MS
• Cindy Cheeks – Hope Science Institute – Brandon, MS
• Samantha Kalahar – First Place for Youth, Jackson, MS
• Ledger Parker – MUTEH, INC.(Collaborative Applicant), Jackson, MS
• Karley Williams – Mississippi Municipal League, Jackson, MS

Leadership, Governance, & Oversight

The CoC Governing Council is responsible for multiple CoC actions:

• Annually assess needs for housing and homeless services and recommend prioritization of gaps in services to be filled through reallocation of existing resources and/or additional resource development
• Directly make policy and funding decisions related to HUD Continuum of Care funds and HUD Emergency Solutions Grant funds
• Assist in developing and adopt a plan to end homelessness in Mississippi and associated annual updates
• Approve all portions of the Consolidated Plan and associated Annual Action Plans as specifically related to the use of HUD Continuum of Care and Emergency Solutions Grant funds
• Approve the annual HUD Continuum of Care application, including associated strategic plan goals and project ranking
• Direct the scope of work of the Regional Coalitions, including working with the Regional Coalitions Chairs to establish Regional Coalitions meeting agendas
• Establish any associated CoC committees, task forces, or ad hoc work groups, define their membership and generally establish and direct their scopes of work.
• Hire a CoC Coordinator and determine the responsibilities of that position by developing and updating a Job Description annually

More Information

For more information about the CoC Governing Council, see the following resources:

• MS BoS CoC Governance Charter w/ Appendix (rev.6-2022)
• Job Description – CoC Governing Council
• CoC Governing Council – Code of Conduct (rev.8-2015)
• Job Description – CoC Director