The emergency solutions grant (ESG) authorizes the department of housing and urban development (HUD) to make grants to states, units of general-purpose local government, and territories for the…

The Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development awarded the City of Seattle Human Services Department $795,737 under the Emergency Solutions Grant Program (CFDA 14.231) on January 21, 2026.

The award funds five program components: street outreach, emergency shelter operations, essential services for shelter residents, homelessness prevention, and rapid re-housing assistance. Funds may also support Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) activities and administrative expenses. Street outreach engages homeless individuals and families living on the street. Emergency shelter funding covers rehabilitation or conversion of buildings into shelters and operational expenses. Essential services provide support to individuals in shelters or unsheltered settings. Rapid re-housing assistance includes housing relocation and stabilization services and rental assistance to move homeless individuals and families quickly into permanent housing. Homelessness prevention provides similar services and assistance to help people avoid becoming homeless.

The period of performance runs from January 21, 2026, through January 20, 2028. Place of performance is Seattle, Washington. The formula grant is allocated directly to the recipient under the ESG program's formula methodology; formula allocations may not be appealed. Recipients must submit proposed ESG projects as part of their Consolidated Plan, which HUD reviews according to criteria in 24 CFR 91. Records must be retained for the greater of five years or the period specified under 24 CFR 576.500(y).

Activities

ESG funds may be used for five program components: street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid RE-housing assistance, and homeless management information system (hmis). Funds can also be used for administrative activities. The five program components and the eligible activities that may be funded under each are set forth in 24 code of federal regulations (CFR) 576.101 through 576.107.

Expected outcomes

With ESG program funding, communities can engage homeless individuals and families living on the street, improve the number and quality of emergency shelters for homeless individuals/families, support the operation of emergency shelters, provide essential services to shelter residents, rapidly work to rehouse homeless individuals and families and prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless.

Intended beneficiaries

Eligible recipients of the ESG funds generally consist of metropolitan cities, urban counties, territories, and states, as defined in 24 CFR 576.2. The minimum eligibility criteria for ESG beneficiaries are as follows: for essential services related to street outreach, beneficiaries must meet the criteria under paragraph (1) (i) of the "homeless" definition under 576.2. For emergency shelter, beneficiaries must meet the "homeless" definition in 24 CFR 576.2. For essential services related to emergency shelter, beneficiaries must be "homeless" and staying in an emergency shelter (which could include a day shelter). For homelessness prevention assistance, beneficiaries must meet the requirements described in 24 CFR 576.103PAR. For rapid RE-housing assistance, beneficiaries must meet requirements described in 24 CFR 576.104. Further eligibility criteria may be established at the local level in accordance with 24 CFR 576.400(e).

Subrecipient activities

The subrecipient activities are unknown at the time of award.