Guilford County is taking steps to oversee groups that provide services to homeless people. 

County Commissioners on Thursday voted unanimously to take over management of the Guilford County Continuum Of Care, an organization of nonprofits that provide homeless services including food, shelter, and health care.

The News & Record reports the move heads off an effort by the Greensboro City Council to create its own Continuum of Care organization under the direction of city staffers. That effort would need to be approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Some advocates believe that a separate agency focusing on Greensboro would hurt homeless services in the long run. One Continuum of Care board member told county commissioners that a Greensboro-based agency would detract from collaboration with High Point and other towns.

The YWCA of Greensboro’s CEO Lindy Garnette told the commissioners that a countywide organization would be more efficient.

The county’s plan to oversee homeless services must now be approved by HUD.