community alliance for the homeless

What community alliance for the homeless does

Community Alliance for the Homeless (CAFTH) is a private non-profit organization designated as the Continuum of Care (CoC) lead agency and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Lead Agency for Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee. The organization coordinates planning, data collection, and resource distribution across a network of 50+ partner agencies working to prevent and end homelessness in the region. CAFTH serves two primary stakeholder groups: individuals and families experiencing homelessness (including youth aged 18-24, veterans, domestic violence survivors, and families with minor children), and housing service providers that require HMIS access, CoC grant funding, training, and technical assistance.

CAFTH's core technology infrastructure is the Homeless Management Information System, built on the Clarity Human Services platform, which tracks client services and outcomes across multiple agencies to provide a comprehensive regional view of homelessness. The Coordinated Entry System (CES) provides standardized assessment and prioritization for housing interventions, aligned with HUD requirements. Additional products include the Coalition Manager partner portal, System Performance Measures reporting dashboards, a Training Library for supportive housing topics, and the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) — a HUD-funded program awarding $3.8 million to support youth housing initiatives. The organization also operates or coordinates emergency shelters, drop-in centers, transitional housing, rapid re-housing, and permanent supportive housing programs in partnership with member agencies.

CAFTH's revenue model is grant-funded, with primary sources being U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) CoC grants and YHDP funding, City of Memphis and Shelby County Government appropriations, private foundation grants, and individual/corporate donations. Services to clients experiencing homelessness are free of charge, with some emergency shelters charging nominal fees of $5-$13 per night. The organization operates as a backbone coordinator rather than a direct service provider in most cases, distributing federal funding and providing technical assistance to partner agencies. FY26 NOFOs are open for CoC, YHDP, CoC Builds, and Youth Navigation Program funding, indicating active capital deployment and program expansion.

Name

community alliance for the homeless

Legal name

Community Alliance for the Homeless

Website

https://cafth.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Community Alliance for the Homeless is a non-profit Continuum of Care lead agency that coordinates planning, data, and resources across 50+ partner agencies to prevent and end homelessness in Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homelessness Services Coordination and Continuum of Care Administration

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

Keywords

• Homeless services coordination
• Continuum of care
• Housing stability programs
• Community resource coordination
• Social services planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Memphis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Funding: Primary funding from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care grants, City of Memphis, Shelby County Government, and federal YHDP funding ($3.8M for youth homelessness programs).
2. Private Foundation Grants: Funding support from private foundations for specific programs and initiatives.
3. Donations: Individual and corporate donations to support housing programs, homelessness prevention, and system change initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Community Alliance for the Homeless (CAFTH) is the designated lead agency for the Memphis & Shelby County Continuum of Care, providing regional planning, technical assistance, and service coordination for the homelessness response system. It operates the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), runs the Coordinated Entry System (CES), administers HUD Continuum of Care and Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) grants, and supports 50+ partner agencies delivering emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing across the region.

Product overview

Community Alliance for the Homeless (CAFTH) serves as the lead agency for the Memphis & Shelby County Continuum of Care (CoC), coordinating homeless response services rather than operating as a traditional technology product company. The organization's core offerings include the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) - a secure database tracking client services across multiple agencies - and the Coordinated Entry System (CES), which provides streamlined access to housing interventions. CAFTH also administers the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP), a $3.8 million HUD grant supporting innovative housing programs for youth. Supporting infrastructure includes Coalition Manager (partner portal), System Performance Measures reporting, and a Training Library. These services are coordinated through internal platforms and do not represent commercial software products with external API integrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Coordinated Entry System (CES) A collaborative community response providing streamlined and equitable access to housing interventions for people experiencing homelessness in Memphis and Shelby County, aligned with HUD requirements for standardized assessment, prioritization, and access to housing programs.
• Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) A federally-funded secure database (Clarity Human Services) that tracks client services and outcomes across multiple agencies, providing a comprehensive view of homelessness in the community. CAFTH serves as the HMIS Lead Agency appointed by the Governing Council of the Memphis & Shelby County Homeless Consortium.
• Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) A HUD-funded grant program administered by CAFTH ($3.8 million) supporting the development and implementation of coordinated community approaches to preventing and ending youth homelessness through innovative housing programs for youth aged 18-24 in Memphis and Shelby County.
• Youth Navigation Program Program supporting youth aged 18-24 in obtaining secure and stable housing through personalized support, resource connection, and VI-TAY assessment administration by system navigators at partner organizations (Communities In Schools, SchoolSeed Foundation, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Catholic Charities of West Tennessee).
• Continuum of Care Coordination and Technical Assistance Backbone coordination for the Memphis & Shelby County Continuum of Care, providing regional planning, technical assistance, and service coordination to 50+ public and private agencies working to end homelessness. Includes administration of HUD CoC and YHDP funding opportunities.
• Training Library for Supportive Housing On-demand training resources for supportive housing topics including introductory-level materials for new staff and reviews for experienced staff, covering motivational interviewing, diversion, prevention, and system navigation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% of individuals maintain stable housing after moving into permanent housing
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• City of MemphiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment funding partner providing financial support for homelessness response programs and coordinated system planning.
• Shelby County GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment funding partner supporting CoC programs and regional homelessness initiatives.
• Memphis & Shelby County Homeless Consortium (MSCHC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoverning body of the CoC that develops, sustains, and coordinates a comprehensive response to homelessness. Consortium members receive exclusive access to Coalition Manager software, training, and language interpretation services.
• YWCA Greater MemphisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDomestic violence crisis support partner providing 24-hour helpline for survivors fleeing violence.
• Family Safety CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner24-hour crisis line for domestic violence survivors, part of the referral network for those fleeing abuse.
• Memphis 211 / LINC-211minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource hotline connecting individuals to utility payment, food, transportation, legal services, mental health, medical, employment, and education resources.
• Shelby County Community Services AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides emergency assistance for those at risk of homelessness including rent, mortgage, and utility assistance.
• MIFA (Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmergency assistance programs for individuals at risk of homelessness.
• Manna House MemphisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrop-in center providing clothing, hygiene items, showers, and beverages to people experiencing homelessness. Open Mondays & Thursdays.
• The Hospitality HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource center connecting individuals with resources to exit homelessness. Also provides emergency shelter for women.
• The Memphis Union MissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMen's emergency shelter and opportunity center at 383 Poplar Ave. Also a drop-in center location.
• OutMemphisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBTQ+ community center offering drop-in spaces (Wednesdays 2pm-5pm, Fridays 11am-3pm) and Youth Emergency Center for LGBTQ+ young adults ages 16-24.
• Catholic CharitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides housing services and drop-in center access for homeless individuals. Also a Youth System Navigator partner.
• Room in the InnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCongregational shelter operating Nov 1 - March 31, providing free overnight shelter for families and individuals.
• Dorothy Day HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmall shelter keeping homeless families together, creating a safe haven and community for entire families.
• Agape Child and Family ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerServes homeless women, pregnant women, and mothers with up to 3 children through transitional housing and support.
• Salvation Army Purdue Center of HopeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term transitional housing (up to two years) for women with up to three children.
• Calvary Rescue MissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMen's shelter (21+) offering two meals per day and clothing. First three stays free, then $5/night.
• Communities In SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth System Navigator partner employer. De'Miracle Tabb serves as navigator from this organization.
• SchoolSeed FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth System Navigator partner employer. Joshua Johnson serves as navigator from this organization.
• Le Bonheur Children's HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth System Navigator partner for YHDP through their community programs. Stephanie Presley serves as navigator.
• Catholic Charities of West TennesseeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth System Navigator partner. Shalonda Adams-Young serves as navigator specializing in disabilities and social issues.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Emerging players

• Built for Zero (Community Solutions): National nonprofit working with cities to achieve functional zero homelessness through data-driven, by-name-list approaches. Comparable to CAFTH in its emphasis on HMIS data, coordinated entry, and outcome measurement, though operating as a technical assistance provider rather than a regional lead agency.

Direct peers

• Heading Home (Boston): Lead agency for the Boston Continuum of Care, coordinating the city's homelessness response system including HMIS administration, coordinated entry, and provider network management — directly comparable to CAFTH's role in Memphis/Shelby County.
• All Chicago Making Homelessness History: Lead agency for the Chicago Continuum of Care, performing the same HUD-coordinated backbone function as CAFTH — managing HMIS, coordinating the CoC, and administering federal grants to a network of partner service providers serving people experiencing homelessness.
• Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative: CoC lead agency for Hillsborough County, Florida, coordinating HMIS, HUD grant administration, and a network of homeless service providers in a mid-sized metro area comparable to Memphis.

Broad incumbents

• National Alliance to End Homelessness: National advocacy and policy organization that influences federal HUD funding and Continuum of Care program design. Sets the framework that CAFTH implements locally; comparable in mission but operates at the federal advocacy level rather than direct service coordination.
• Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH): National nonprofit that advances supportive housing for vulnerable populations through financing, policy, and technical assistance. Adjacent to CAFTH's work in supportive housing program design and HUD-funded demonstration programs like YHDP.
• Mercy Housing: National affordable housing nonprofit operating across multiple states, developing and managing affordable and supportive housing. Comparable to CAFTH in the affordable/supportive housing focus, but operates as a direct developer rather than a system coordinator.

Others

• Bitfocus (Clarity Human Services): Vendor of the Clarity Human Services HMIS platform used by CAFTH. Comparable as the underlying technology infrastructure provider for the type of HMIS administration CAFTH performs as a Lead Agency.
• National Low Income Housing Coalition: National advocacy organization focused on affordable housing policy and funding. Indirectly comparable to CAFTH — both work to expand housing resources for low-income populations, but NLIHC operates at federal policy level without direct service coordination.

Regional players

• Heartland Alliance (Chicago): Midwest-based anti-poverty and human services organization providing housing, healthcare, and human services to people experiencing homelessness. Comparable to CAFTH's partner network in service delivery scope, though operating as a direct service provider rather than a coordinating CoC lead.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/CommunityAllianceForTheHomeless
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cafthmemphis
• Facebookfacebook.com/CommunityAllianceForTheHomeless
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cafthmemphis
• Instagraminstagram.com/cafthmemphis

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about community alliance for the homeless