The Department of Housing and Community Development has released Notices of Funding Availability for $61 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding through the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

“This pandemic hit Californians and communities throughout the state in a devastating way, particularly smaller communities that did not have a lot of resources to begin with,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “These funds will help rural communities and those serving people experiencing homelessness to respond to and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.”

Approximately $42 million will be available through the Emergency Solutions Grants program to address immediate and long-term needs of Californians experiencing homelessness. Funds will be used to help people quickly get back into housing (“rapid rehousing”) if they experience homelessness; connect people at-risk of or experiencing homelessness to services and housing; help operate emergency shelters and provide disease-prevention training; and create permanent, affordable homes with supportive services for people who need extra support to remain stable. Local governments and Continuums of Care — regional planning bodies that coordinate housing and services to address homelessness — are eligible to apply.

Another $19 million will be available through Community Development Block Grant funding to provide a much-needed boost for economic development, helping businesses and microenterprises avoid job losses and closures, increasing public services, providing mortgage/utility assistance, acquiring real property to be used for COVID-19 treatment and recovery, improving facilities, and more. California cities and counties that do not participate in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s CDBG “entitlement” program (in which larger cities/counties receive funding directly from HUD) are eligible to apply.

All funds awarded under the CARES Act must be used for COVID-19 response and recovery.

For more information please visit HCD’s Emergency Solutions Grants program webpage and Community Development Block Grant webpage.