Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program

DOH ESG Mission

DOH allocates ESG funding annually through a competitive application process. ESG is the first step in a continuum of assistance to prevent homelessness and enable individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness to move toward permanent housing.

ESG Program Objectives

• DOH’s ESG program aims to
  End homelessness by connecting those experiencing or at risk of homelessness to the appropriate resources as quickly as possible with few, if any, barriers;
• Increase the number and quality of housing resources for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. 
• Operate emergency shelter facilities, prioritizing shelters that are low-barrier and housing-focused
• Provide essential social services for those living outdoors, in emergency shelters, at risk of homelessness, or in rental assistance programs.

Eligible ESG Subrecipients

DOH enters into grant agreements with Subrecipients to accomplish the ESG program objectives. Subrecipients who are eligible to apply for ESG grant agreements include

• Local governments,
• continuum of Care (CoC),
• Homeless service providers,
• Other non-profit organizations

Eligible for ESG Components

ESG Subrecipients can apply for funding to provide the following components, as defined by

CFR 24 CFR 576.100:

• Emergency Shelter 
• Street Outreach,
• Homelessness Prevention,
• Rapid Re-Housing,
• Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) or Comparable Database for Victim Service Providers (VSP)
• Administration

Eligible Grantees

• Local Governments
• Continuum of Care groups (COC)
• Homeless service providers
• Other non-profit providers

Eligible Activities

• Homeless Assistance including shelter, essential social services, and operating costs of shelters such as maintenance, insurance, and rent
• Rapid rehousing and Homelessness Prevention, including financial assistance for rent or utilities, in partnership with COC’s

DOH ESG Policies and Procedures

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