Coordinated Entry System (Office of Homeless Services)

What is Coordinated Entry (CE)?

Coordinated Entry is a process developed to ensure that all people experiencing a housing crisis have access to resources and are identified, assessed, and referred and/or connected to housing assistance based on prioritization and resource availability.

Eligibility

CE is available to all individuals and families in Nashville-Davidson County who meet HUD's definition of literal homelessness. The HUD definition of literal homelessness is as follows:

Living and sleeping outside
Sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation
Staying in a shelter
Fleeing/attempting to flee domestic violence
Exiting an institution (jail, mental health facility, hospital, etc.) where the individual has resided for less than 90 days and was literally homeless prior to entering that institution.

Please note that CE is a process, not a program and takes times. CE is not able to provide immediate shelter or housing.

How to Access the Coordinated Entry System

CE Phone Line: 615-862-6444

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Calls received after business hours will be returned the following business day.

Please note that CE Intake Assessments are conducted only with those who meet eligibility requirements and can take up to one hour to complete.

For Community Members

If you are facing housing instability, a housing crisis, or literal homelessness, please call to speak with a CE Phone Line Specialist for available resource options.

For Service Providers

If your client is experiencing a housing crisis, is literally homeless, and/or needs access to housing information – please connect your client with the CE Phone Line to be assessed for appropriate and available resources. Service providers may call with the program participant, but the individual or head of household must be present and will need to speak directly with CE Phone Line Specialist.

Domestic Violence Survivors

For those experiencing homelessness due to domestic violence.

During business hours: 615-955-0620, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

If you are in immediate danger: call 911, the local hotline at 1-800-334-4628, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224.

Key Information

Families: Eligible households must include at least one child under 18 or an expectant mother 29 or more weeks pregnant.
Process Timeline: Enrolling and connecting through Coordinated Entry can take time and requires patience.
Purpose: The system works to identify housing and support options that best meet the needs of each individual or family.