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This rule provides the regulatory framework to implement the new Continuum of Care program, established by the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009 (HEARTH Act), enacted into law on May 20, 2009. The HEARTH Act consolidates the three existing competitive homeless assistance programs administered by HUD under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act into a single grant program, the Continuum of Care program, and revises the Emergency Shelter Grants program and renames it the Emergency Solutions Grants program, and creates the Rural Housing Stability program to replace the Rural Homelessness Grant program. The HEARTH Act also codifies in law the Continuum of Care planning process, long a part of HUD's application process to assist homeless persons by providing greater coordination in responding to their needs. This rule focuses on regulatory implementation of the Continuum of Care program, including the Continuum of Care planning process. The existing homeless assistance programs that comprise the Continuum of Care program are the following: the Supportive Housing program, the Shelter Plus Care program, and the Moderate Rehabilitation/Single Room Occupancy (SRO) program. This rule establishes the regulations for the Continuum of Care program, and the regulations governing the Continuum of Care planning process. However, recognizing that recipients have gained valuable experience implementing the interim rule, HUD plans to solicit comments before issuing a final rule.   HUD will also incorporate changes made by a separate interim final rule which allow individuals and families to choose housing outside of a Continuum of Care’s geographic area, subject to certain conditions, and to retain the tenant-based rental assistance under the Continuum of Care program and, consistent with the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, exempt recipients and subrecipients from compliance with all non-statutory regulations when a program participant moves to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.