Emergency Solutions Grants Program (ESG)
The ESG program does not fund individuals or families directly. The ESG program provides grant funding to approved units of general-purpose local government and federally recognized non-profit organizations.
These ESG funds are used to:
- Engage homeless individuals and families living on the street;
- Rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families;
- Help operate and provide essential services in emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families; and
- Prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless.
Contact Us
Application, General Program, and Standard Agreements Questions
Notice of Funding Availability
Apply Now
To apply for ESG funding, please visit: eCivis portal - Programs Available for Solicitation.
Webinars
- ESG Guidelines Webinar - PowerPoint (PDF) — 12/18/2024
- ESG Guidelines Webinar - Zoom Recording — 12/18/2024
Reporting and Compliance
- Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Title XII, Homeless Assistance Grants Section
- Executive Order N-66-20 issued May 29, 2020
- State Regulations
- State Regulations (PDF) — These regulations are no longer applicable to awards made under the 2024 ESG NOFA or later. For awards made under the 2024 ESG NOFA or later, please reference the ESG Program Final Guidelines.
- Federal Regulations — These regulations are no longer applicable to awards made under the 2024 ESG NOFA or later. For awards made under the 2024 ESG NOFA or later, please reference the ESG Program Final Guidelines.
- Emergency Solutions Grant CARES Act (ESG-CV) Impacts as of June 30, 2023 (PDF)
The Emergency Solutions Grant CARES Act (ESG-CV) Impacts report provides the results of homelessness activities undertaken with CARES Act funding. This report highlights several key factors that HCD will continue to monitor to help evaluate program effectiveness as well as providing information on the number of participants in each of the available activities through the reporting period.
As of the report date, almost 96,000 people had been enrolled in ESG-CV funded homelessness services. Due to the pandemic and the high need for non-congregate shelter over half of these enrollments were in emergency shelter. Almost 25% of participants were enrolled in rapid rehousing service. The report also shows outcomes over time such as rapid rehousing without a subsequent return to homelessness.
HCD plans to continue to update the data through the end of the CARES Act funding and to provide similar reporting for the annual Emergency Solutions Grant program.
Notice of Funding Availability
Apply Now
To apply for ESG funding, please visit: eCivis portal - Programs Available for Solicitation.
Webinars
- ESG Guidelines Webinar - PowerPoint (PDF) — 12/18/2024
- ESG Guidelines Webinar - Zoom Recording — 12/18/2024
Reporting and Compliance
- Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Title XII, Homeless Assistance Grants Section
- Executive Order N-66-20 issued May 29, 2020
- State Regulations
- State Regulations (PDF) — These regulations are no longer applicable to awards made under the 2024 ESG NOFA or later. For awards made under the 2024 ESG NOFA or later, please reference the ESG Program Final Guidelines.
- Federal Regulations — These regulations are no longer applicable to awards made under the 2024 ESG NOFA or later. For awards made under the 2024 ESG NOFA or later, please reference the ESG Program Final Guidelines.
- Emergency Solutions Grant CARES Act (ESG-CV) Impacts as of June 30, 2023 (PDF)
The Emergency Solutions Grant CARES Act (ESG-CV) Impacts report provides the results of homelessness activities undertaken with CARES Act funding. This report highlights several key factors that HCD will continue to monitor to help evaluate program effectiveness as well as providing information on the number of participants in each of the available activities through the reporting period.
As of the report date, almost 96,000 people had been enrolled in ESG-CV funded homelessness services. Due to the pandemic and the high need for non-congregate shelter over half of these enrollments were in emergency shelter. Almost 25% of participants were enrolled in rapid rehousing service. The report also shows outcomes over time such as rapid rehousing without a subsequent return to homelessness.
HCD plans to continue to update the data through the end of the CARES Act funding and to provide similar reporting for the annual Emergency Solutions Grant program.
Purpose
The federal ESG program provides funds for a variety of activities to address homelessness as authorized under the federal Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act of 2009 and State program requirements. HCD administers the ESG program with funding received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
HCD distributes federal Emergency Solutions Grant funds to eligible subrecipients with one- or two-year grants.
Application Process and Distribution of Funds
HCD allocates its funding to the State's CoC service areas using a single, direct-allocation method. This method of distribution is detailed in the ESG Program Final Guidelines dated December 10, 2024 and in the 2024 ESG NOFA.
Coronavirus Allocation (ESG-CV)
ESG-CV funds are distributed to COC Service Areas to either currently approved units of general-purpose local government, known as Administrative Entities (AEs), or directly to the COC, assuming the COC is a state and federally recognized non-profit organization and has capacity to administer the funding. If the COC does not meet these requirements, the COC must designate an AE to administer the funding for that COC Service area.
HCD allocates its funding to the State’s CoC service areas using a formula method set forth under Section 8402 of the State ESG Regulations to two allocations.
California ESG Program
The 2016-17 budget bill, SB 837 (Section 72), created the California Emergency Solutions Grants (CA ESG) Program for which $35 million has been made available to support rapid rehousing, emergency shelter, and other services to address homelessness throughout the State. The legislation provides that the CA ESG program shall be administered by the Department in a manner generally consistent with the Federal ESG Program, and requires the Department to adopt program guidelines to address changes that may be needed to expand the program to cover all areas of the State, or to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the program. Funds for CA ESG were available in 2017.
Eligible Activities
ESG funds may be used for four primary activities: Street Outreach, Rapid Re-Housing Assistance, Emergency Shelter, and Homelessness Prevention. In addition, ESG funds may be used for associated Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) costs and administrative activities for some subrecipients. Refer to the current Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for any limitations on these activities.
Eligible Applicants and Eligible Areas to Be Served
The Department subgrants its funding to subrecipients in Continuum of Care (CoC) service areas that have at least one jurisdiction that does not receive ESG funds directly from HUD (“Nonentitlement”).
State ESG funded activities may serve the entire service area of the CoC, but must serve Nonentitlement areas within the service area. For a list of CoC Service Areas eligible to participate in the State’s ESG program, refer to Appendix A of the current NOFA.
ESG Forms
- ESG Request for Funds (RFF) and Sample Request for Funds (XLS)
- ESG Authorized Signatories Identify Form (RFFs Only) (XLS)
- Use this form for requests for reimbursement
- ESG Budget Revision Workbook (XLS)
- Use this form to request revisions (budget or line item) or Contract Amendments.
- ESG Certificate of Completion (XLS)
- Use this form to close out the contract when funds have been exhausted or contract period ends, whichever comes first.
- ESG Eligible Expense Guide (PDF)
- Government Tin (PDF)
- STD 204 - Payee Data Record (PDF)
- Required when receiving payment from the State of California in lieu of IRS W 9
- Annual Performance Reports
ESG-CV Forms
Federal Statute
Check the HUD Exchange for:
- the text of The Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009 (HEARTH Act), and
- the “homeless” definition contained in the HEARTH Act Final Rule.
Emergency Solutions Grants Program Final Guidelines – December 10, 2024 (PDF)
ESG Program Manual
Emergency Shelter
- ESG Emergency Shelter Policy (PDF)
- ESG Client File Checklist – Emergency Shelter Form (PDF)
- ESG-CV Client File Checklist – Emergency Shelter Form (PDF)
Homelessness Prevention
- Homelessness Prevention Manual (PDF)
- ESG Homeless Prevention Manual Checklist (PDF)
- ESG Client File Checklist – Homelessness Prevention Form (PDF)
- ESG-CV Client File Checklist – Homelessness Prevention Form (PDF)
- Fair Market Rent and Rent Reasonableness Certification (PDF)
- ESG Fair Market Rent and Rent Reasonableness Policy (PDF)
Rapid Rehousing
- ESG Rapid Rehousing Manual (PDF)
- ESG Rapid Rehousing Manual Checklist Form (PDF)
- ESG Client File Checklist – Rapid Rehousing Form (PDF)
- ESG-CV Client file Checklist – Rapid Rehousing Form (PDF)
- Fair Market Rent and Rent Reasonableness Certification Form (PDF)
- ESG Fair Market Rent and Rent Reasonableness Policy Form (PDF)
Street Outreach
- ESG Street Outreach Policy (PDF)
- ESG Client File Checklist – Street Outreach Form (PDF)
- ESG-CV Client File Checklist – Street Outreach Form (PDF)
Policies
- CA HCD Housing First Policy – (PDF)
- Cross Cutting Policies (PDF)
- ESG CoC Collaboration Policy (PDF)
- ESG Homelessness Eligibility Policy (PDF)
- ESG Housing Problem Solving Policy (PDF)
- ESG Match Policy (PDF)
- ESG Minimum Habitability Standards for Shelter and Housing Policy (PDF)
- ESG Personally Identifying Information (PII) Policy (PDF)
- ESG Program Income Policy (PDF)
- ESG VAWA Compliance Policy (PDF)
- Equal Access Rule (PDF)
- ESG Equipment Acquisition and Disposition Policy (PDF)
- HMIS Setup Guidance Policy (PDF)
Workbooks/Guides/Checklists/Forms
- Shared Housing Policy - Roommate Agreement (PDF)
- Coordinated Entry Self-Assessment
- ESG California Lead Base Paint Assessment - Worksheet Form (PDF)
- ESG Housing Stability Plan (PDF)
- ESG Limited English Proficiency Guide (PDF)
- ESG Match – Verification of Match Commitment Form (PDF)
- ESG Match – Volunteer Hours Tracking Form (PDF)
- ESG Personally Identifying Information Checklist (PDF)
- ESG VAWA Lease Agreement Form (PDF)
- ESG-CV Housing Stability Plan Form (PDF)
- Section 504 Guidance and Plan (PDF)
- Section 504 Self-Evaluation Form (PDF)
Tool Kits
- Toolkit of Best Practices to Advance Racial Equity in the Homeless System of Care (PDF)
- HCD California Tribal Nations Handbook (PDF)
- Rental Property Provider Toolkit
- Individual Rental Property Provider Outreach:
- The First Meeting:
- Materials for the First Meeting
- Group Rental Property Provider Outreach Materials for Outreach Events
- Maintaining the Relationship:
Manuals
External Links
- Coordinated Entry Policy Brief (February 2015)
- HUD ESG Resources
- HUD Overview of the Emergency Solutions Grant Program
ESG-CV Documents
- DOB Workbook – ESG-CV (PDF)
- Sample of DOB Policies and Procedures for CoCs (PDF)
- HCD DOB Policy – ESG-CV (updated) (PDF)
- Sample ESG-CV DOB Checklist (PDF)
Trainings
ESG Workshop and Trainings YouTube channel: ESG Workshop and Trainings - YouTube
Office Hours
ESG Office Hours YouTube channel: ESG Office Hours - YouTube
ESG Office Hours Audio Description YouTube channel: ESG Office Hours Audio Descriptions - YouTube
PowerPoint Slides
- Office Hours 1/3/22 (PDF)
- Office Hours 1/12/22 (PDF)
- Office Hours 1/26/22 (PDF)
- Office Hours 2/2/22 (PDF)
- Office Hours 2/9/22 (PDF)
- Office Hours 2/16/22 (PDF)
- Office Hours 2/26/22 (PDF)
- Office Hours 2/23/22 (PDF)
- Office Hours 3/2/22 (PDF)
- Office Hours 3/9/22 (PDF)
- Office Hours 3/16/22 (PDF)
- Office Hours 3/23/22 (PDF)
- Office Hours 3/30/22 (PDF)
- Office Hours 4/6/22 (PDF)
Awards
2023 ESG Award Lists
ESG - CV Award Lists
Archive
2024 Draft Guidelines
- ESG Draft Guidelines Public Hearing 8/6 - PowerPoint (PDF)
- ESG Draft Guidelines Public Hearing 8/6 - Zoom Recording
2023 NOFA
2023 ESG NOFA for the Homelessness Prevention (HP) & Application
- 2023 ESG Homelessness Prevention (HP) NOFA Amendment 1 (PDF)
- 2023 ESG Homelessness Prevention (HP) NOFA (PDF)
- 2023 ESG HP Resolution Fillable Form (For Non-Profits) (PDF)
- 2023 ESG HP Resolution Fillable Form (For Units of General-Purpose Local Government and JPAs) (PDF)
- Application must be accessed through the eCivis Grants Network Portal — Programs Available for Solicitation page.
Applications will not be accepted after January 19, 2024, 5:00 PM PDT.
2023 ESG NOFA for the Continuum of Care (CoC) Allocation & Application
- 2023 ESG Continuum of Care Resolution Template (PDF)
- 2023 ESG Continuum of Care NOFA (PDF)
- Application must be accessed through the eCivis Grants Network Portal Solicitations Page
2023 ESG NOFA for the Balance of State (BoS) Allocation & Applications and Recommendation Package
- 2023 ESG Balance of State Resolution Template (PDF)
- 2023 ESG BoS NOFA (PDF)
- 2023 Applications must be accessed through the eCivis Grants Network Portal Solicitations Page
- 2023 ESG BoS Recommendation Package - Application must be accessed through the eCivis Grants Network Portal Solicitations Page
2022 NOFA
2022 ESG NOFA for the Continuum of Care (CoC) Allocation & Application
2022 ESG NOFA for the Balance of State (BoS) Allocation & Applications and Recommendation Package
2021 NOFA
2021 ESG NOFA for the Continuum of Care (CoC) Allocation & Application
- 2021 ESG Continuum of Care Resolution Template (PDF)
- 2021 ESG Continuum of Care Amended NOFA (PDF) — 10/18/2021
- 2021 ESG CoC NOFA (PDF) — Application must be accessed through the eCivis Grants Network Portal Solicitations Page
2021 ESG NOFA for the Balance of State (BoS) Allocation & Applications and Recommendation Package
- 2021 ESG Balance of State Resolution Template (PDF)
- 2021 ESG Balance of State Amended NOFA (PDF) 10/18/2021
- 2021 ESG BoS NOFA (PDF) — Applications must be accessed through the eCivis Grants Network Portal Solicitation Page
- 2021 ESG BoS Recommendation Package — Application must be accessed through the eCivis Grants Network Portal Solicitations Page
- 2021 ESG FAQs (PDF) — 09/09/2021
2020 NOFA
2020 ESG-CV (Round 2) Coronavirus NOFA Allocation & Application
- 2020 ESG-CV (Round 2) Coronavirus NOFA (PDF)
- 2020 ESG-CV Application access via eCivis Grants Network Portal Solicitations Page
- eCivis Grants Network HCD External User Manual (PDF)
- 2020 ESG Federal Procurement Webinar Slides (PDF)
- 2020 ESG Federal Procurement Webinar Recording
- 2020 ESG-CV (Round 2) Frequently Asked Question (PDF)
- ERAP and ESG Workshop Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- ERAP and ESG Workshop Slides (PDF)
2020 ESG-CV Coronavirus NOFA Allocation & Application
- 2020 ESG-CV Coronavirus NOFA (PDF)
- 2020 ESG-CV Application access via eCivis Grants Network Portal Solicitations Page
- Applicant Name Verification Form (PDF)
- STD 204 — Payee Data Record
- TIN Form (PDF)
- eCivis Grants Network HCD External User Manual (PDF)
- June 4, 2020 ESG-CV Coronavirus NOFA Webinar
- 2020 ESG Federal Procurement Webinar Slides (PDF)
- 2020 ESG Federal Procurement Webinar Recording
2020 ESG NOFA for the Continuum of Care (CoC) Allocation & Application Forms
2020 ESG NOFA for the Balance of State (BoS) Allocation & Application Forms
2019 NOFA
2019 ESG NOFA for the Continuum of Care (CoC) Allocation & Application Forms
- 2019 ESG Continuum of Care NOFA — Amended (PDF)
- 2019 ESG CoC Resolution Amended (PDF)
- 2019 ESG Designation Letter (PDF)
- STD 204 — Payee Data Record (PDF)
- TIN Form (PDF)
- ESG CoC Webinar Recording
- March 3, 2020 ESG NOFA Continuum of Care Webinar
- ESG CoC FAQs (PDF)
- 2019 ESG Continuum of Care Applications Received (PDF)
2019 ESG NOFA for the Balance of State (BoS) Allocation & Application Forms
- 2019 ESG Balance of State NOFA — Amended (PDF)
- 2019 ESG BoS Resolution- Amended (PDF)
- STD 204 — Payee Data Record (PDF)
- TIN Form (PDF)
- ESG BoS Webinar Recording
- March 5 2020 ESG NOFA Balance of State Webinar
- ESG BoS FAQs (PDF)
- ESG Balance of State (Non-Competitive) Applications Received (PDF)
- ESG Balance of State (Competitive) Applications Received (PDF)
2018 NOFA
2018 ESG NOFA for the Continuum of Care (COC) Allocation and Application Forms
2018 ESG NOFA for the Balance of State (BOS) Allocation and Application Forms
2017 NOFA
- 2017 NOFA for the Continuum of Care Allocation Amended (PDF)
- 2017 NOFA for the Balance of State Allocation (PDF)
- 2017 FAQs (PDF)
2016 NOFA
Past Awards
- 2021 ESG Award Lists
- 2020 ESG Award Lists
- 2019 ESG Award Lists
- 2018 ESG Award Lists
- 2017 ESG Award Lists (12/21/2017)
- 2016 ESG Award Lists (PDF)
- 2014 ESG Award List (PDF) — (05/2015)
- 2013 ESG Award List (PDF) — (06/2014)
- 2012 ESG Award List (PDF) — (06/2013)