Emergency Solutions Grant Program

The ESG program provides funding to: (1) engage homeless individuals and families living on the street; (2) improve the number and quality of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families; (3) help operate these shelters; (4) provide essen

The ESG program focuses on helping people quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness. The rapid re-housing component includes various housing relocation and stabilization services and rental assistance to help people who are homeless move quickly into permanent housing and achieve stability in that housing. The homelessness prevention component includes similar services and assistance to help people avoid becoming homeless. Recipients can use ESG funds to rehabilitate or convert buildings into emergency shelter; pay for certain expenses related to operating emergency shelters; or provide essential services to individuals and families living in emergency shelters or unsheltered settings.

Eligible recipients generally consist of metropolitan cities, urban counties, territories, and states, as defined in 24 CFR 576.2. Metropolitan cities, urban counties and territories may subgrant ESG funds to private nonprofit organizations. Local governments may also subgrant ESG funds to public housing agencies or local redevelopment authorities. States must subgrant all of their ESG funds (except for funds for administrative costs and, under certain conditions, HMIS costs) to units of general purpose local government and/or private nonprofit organizations. Each recipient must consult with the Continuum(s) of Care operating within the jurisdiction in determining how to allocate ESG funds.

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 576.103. 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).

ESG funds may be used for five program components: street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing assistance, and HMIS; as well as administrative activities (up to 7.5% of a recipient's allocation can be used for administrative activities).

Metropolitan cities, urban counties and territories must obligate all funds, except for the amount for administrative costs, within 180 days after HUD signs the grant agreement. States must obligate all funds, except the amount for administrative costs, to subrecipients within 60 days after the date that HUD signs the grant agreement. Each subrecipient that is a unit of general purpose local government must obligate its grant funds within 120 days after the date the State obligates its funds. All grant funds must be expended within 24 months after HUD signs the grant agreement with the recipient. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: letter

See Notice of Funding Opportunity [NOFO]

Proposed ESG projects are part of the prospective grantee's Consolidated Plan, which is reviewed according to criteria set forth in 24 CFR 91.

The HUD field office reviews the grantee's Consolidated Plan and, upon plan approval, notifies the applicant of the award and prepares the grant agreement.

The Annual Action Plans associated with the Consolidated Plan must be submitted based on the recipient's program year, but no earlier than November 15 or no later than August 16 of the federal fiscal year for which the grant funds are appropriated.

From 60 to 90 days. Generally within 45 days.

Formula allocations may not be appealed. Disapproved plans may be resubmitted in accordance with 24 CFR 91.500.