Emergency Solutions Grant Program to Assist Individuals and Families
Emergency Solutions Grant is a program created by the U.S federal government to assist individuals and families to gain housing stability. It prioritizes low-income individuals and families, especially those who suffered from homelessness.
The said program helps and supports by providing formula grants within the local government units throughout the United State. These formula grants were used by the local government units to create and implement housing assistance programs within their respective areas.
HEARTH Act of 2009
Originally, the said program was from the
Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act of 2009 amended by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Before being called the Emergency Solution Grants Program, it was known as the Emergency Shelter Grants Program (ESG).
Families and individuals who suffer from homelessness continue to face several struggles. As we all know, homes serve as the
primary shelter and protection of every individual.
That’s why the Emergency Solutions Grants Program was created, to provide assistance for homeless individuals and families. Moreover, the main goal of the Emergency Solutions Grant is to eradicate homelessness among U.S individuals.
Emergency Solutions Grant Program
• Engagement and support for individuals and families living on the streets.
• Improvement of the emergency housing shelter for individuals and families that suffer from the risk of homelessness.
• Assistance with the operations of emergency housing shelters.
• Provide and sustain essential services for the residents of emergency housing shelters.
• Prevention for the homelessness of individuals and families.
CARES Act (ESG CV)
The Emergency Solutions Grants Program – CARES Act (ESG-CV) is the Covid program of the Emergency Solutions Grants Program. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided a $4 billion allocated budget for the said program.
It was created to help and assist individuals who suffer from the risk of homelessness during the pandemic. It primarily provides shelters and housing services for affected individuals. Moreover, the main objective of the said program is to prevent individuals or families from risk of homelessness.
Components of the Emergency Solution Grant Program
The Emergency Solution Grants Program offers a wide variety of programs in each state. It consists of primary components that local government units should focus on.
These components must be the standard of their programs related to the Emergency Solution Grants Program (ESG).
The information below is for the components of the said program.
Street Outreach
Street Outreach is composed of necessary services that need to be conducted to assist unsheltered individuals or families. It also helps individuals and families connect with emergency housing shelters and provides housing services.
Some of the services through this component are case management, emergency health services,
mental health services, and transportation services.
Emergency Shelter
Emergency Shelters are decent and safe housing units where homeless individuals or families can stay.
Funds for the sustainable operation of emergency shelters are also provided by the said program.
1. Renovation: ESG ensures that emergency shelters for homeless individuals are hazard-free. Problems within the emergency shelters that need to repair and improve are funded under the said program.
2. Essential Services: Essential Services are required for individuals in emergency shelters. These services include the following: Case management,
Child Care, Education services, Employment assistance, job training, and others.
3. Shelter Operations: Shelter Operations are the necessary maintenance of the emergency shelters. This operation includes the following: Rent, Security, Fuel, Equipment, and others.
Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing
Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing are the main components of the Emergency Solution Grant. It must provide appropriate
housing assistance and stabilization services to prevent an individual or family from suffering from the risk of homelessness.
Homeless Management Information System
A homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is a technology system that primarily collects client-level data and data on housing services given to individuals and families.
With these, housing services can be easily monitored. It is designed to ensure that funds from the program are used appropriately.
Eligible Individuals for the ESG
The eligibility rules for individuals who want to apply for Emergency Solution Grants Programs will depend on the local state and component where the funds will use for. Each component of the said program has its own eligibility rules.
Individuals who did not meet the given rules will be automatically ineligible for the said program. You may visit your HUD Field Office or local government units that handle the ESG Funds in your area to know whether you’re eligible for the said program.
Allocated Funds for the ESG
The allocated fund for the Emergency Solution Grants Program (ESG) varies within each local state, urban county, city, and territory of the United States. Each one of them has a specific budget for the implementation of the said program.
Furthermore, the local government units are the ones that handle the budget distortion and disbursement for their respective programs related to the Emergency Solution Grants Program (ESG).
Application for the Emergency Solution Grant Program
The application process for the Emergency Solution Grants Program (ESG) varies by state. You can check and visit your Local Government Office to have more information and details about the application for the said program in your area. You may also contact your HUD Field Office for the application process.
