What is CARS?
The Coordinated Assessment and Referral System (CARS) is part of a federal initiative called Coordinated Entry, which aims to partner homeless individuals and families with services that are the best fit for their specific situation.
CARS uses a confidential questionnaire that takes about 15 to 20 minutes to determine needs and evaluate an individual’s vulnerability within our community. Information from this assessment is kept in a community queue; when a unit/bed becomes available, CHSP sorts through the queue and selects those who are most eligible based on the program’s criteria.
Unfortunately, we cannot tell you what your position on the community queue is or how long it will take before you are selected. Your position on the queue is influenced by various factors that may move your “position” up and down throughout the day.
Which Programs Receive Referrals from CARS?
- Central Coast Center for Independent Living (CCCIL) – ESG (Rapid Rehousing and Homeless Prevention for those with disabilities)
- Community Homeless Solutions - New Beginnings
- Community Human Services - Safe Passage
- County of San Benito - Health & Human Services - Helping Hands, ESG, HEAP, HSP, HHAP Rental Assistance
- Housing Resource Center of Monterey County - HEAP, HSP
- Interim, Inc - Sun Rose, Sandy Shores, MCHOPE, Shelter + Care
- MidPen Housing - Moon Gate Plaza
- Step-Up on Second – Salinas Rental Assistance, South County Rental Assistance
- Unity Care Group – Monterey RRH
What You Should Know
Where to get Assessed
Community Human Services – Safe Passage
544 Pearl Street, Monterey
(831) 717-4126
Gathering for Women – Monterey
147 El Dorado Street, Monterey
(831) 241-6154
Nation’s Finest
40 Bonifacio Plaza, Monterey
(831) 375-1184
Community Homeless Solutions
3087 Wittenmyer Court, Marina
(831) 384-3388
Interim, Inc. – MCHOME
299B 12th Street, Marina
(831) 883-3030
Veteran’s Transitions Center
Martinez Hall
220 12th St.
Marina, CA. 93933
(831) 883-8387
Access Support Network (ASN)
223 John St, Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 975-5016
Central Coast Center for Independent Living (CCCIL)
318 Cayuga Street, Suite 208, Salinas
(831) 757-2968
Dorothy’s Place
30 Soledad Street, Salinas
(831) 757-3838
Downtown Streets Team
140 Central Ave Ste 5, Salinas
(831) 713-3697 Ext.140
Housing Resource Center of Monterey County
201 John Street, Suite A, Salinas
(831) 424-9186
Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE)
901 Blanco Cir., Salinas, CA, 93901
(831) 775-0300 Ext. 129
Sun Street Center
11 Peach Drive, Salinas
(831) 753-5135
Victory Mission
43 Soledad Street, Salinas
(831) 424-5688
YWCA
635 S. Sanborn Place, Suite 8, Salinas, CA, 93901
(831) 422-8602
H.O.M.E. Resource Center
1161 San Felipe Road, Hollister
(831) 630-5120
Emmaus House
Confidential Location
(831) 636-7224
(877) 778-7978 (Hotline)
County of San Benito (Health & Human Services)
(831) 637-9293 x10
Housing Choices Coalition
349 Main St, Suite 207, Watsonville
(831) 722-3954
The Assessment
The assessment takes about 15 minutes to complete. The questions have primarily “yes” or “no” answers or can be answered in a few short words. You do not have to answer any questions that you are unwilling to answer, but a non-answer will only prolong your wait on the Master List.
If you choose not to complete the assessment, you are still eligible for referral to services that do not use CARS.
Updating Information
If you become eligible for a referral but cannot be located or reached within three contact attempts, you will be exited from CARS, and we will have to pass your referral to the next person. Therefore, you must update us with your most current contact information. You are advised to update your information every three months.
You can contact us to reinstate yourself if you are removed from the CARS program. Before we reinstate you on the community queue, we must ensure that all of the information from your previous CARS assessment is accurate.
If your circumstances have changed, you can contact us for a new assessment. However, be aware that some changes may elevate your chances for referral while other changes may decrease them.
Client Choice
While we support your choices in regards to which location you prefer to live in, you should understand that resources in our community are limited while the need is great.
Unless there are extenuating circumstances, please note that denying two referrals will have a significant impact on how fast we can serve you. Extenuating circumstances are provable reasons why you cannot live in an offered location.
Already Assessed? What's Next?
Unfortunately, we are unable to tell you what your position on the referral list is. Your position on the list is influenced by a variety of factors and may move you up and down within a day. We will contact you as soon as an opportunity comes up.
Appeal Process
A referral to a program does not guarantee acceptance into the program. If you are denied from a program, there is an appeals process. To begin the appeal process you must request a hearing in writing which can be delivered through email, in person, or by mail. This request must take place within 10 days of the written notice of denial by the program.
CHSP will respond to your request within 10 days of receiving it. At the hearing, you will be allowed to provide written or oral objections to the decision and the agency will respond to you as well. If you fail to show up at the denial hearing, the denial will remain in place. The final decision will be made by the CoC coordinator or his/her representative.
Send your request to
Attn: CARS Coordinator, 1123 Fremont Boulevard, Suite D, Seaside, CA 93955
Or
CARS@chsp.org