Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program
Contact
ESGNOFA@hcd.ca.gov
Program Details
- Purpose
- Assistance Type and Terms
- Eligible Activities and Applicants
- Application Procedure and Distribution of Funds
- Guidelines and Regulations
- Get Funding — Current Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)
- Previous Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs)
- Awards
- Program Forms
- Management Memos
- Training and Technical Assistance
Purpose
The federal Emergency Solutions Grant program (ESG) 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. The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) administers the ESG program with funding received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The ESG program provides grant funding to (1) engage homeless individuals and families living on the street, (2) rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families, (3) help operate and provide essential services in emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families, and (4) prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless.
In 2016, in an effort to align the Department's ESG funds with the HEARTH Act priorities, HCD has redesigned how it allocates and distributes funding. The redesigned ESG program aims to do the following: Align with local systems’ federal ESG and HEARTH goals, invest in impactful activities based on key performance goals and outcomes, improve geographic distribution of funded activities and continuity of funded activities, and create a streamlined delivery mechanism.
Assistance Type and Terms
HCD distributes federal Emergency Solutions Grant funds to eligible subrecipients with one- or two-year grants.
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”). In the CoC Allocation, local governmental entities are eligible subrecipients, who in turn select homeless service providers to receive the funds. In the Balance of State Allocation, private nonprofit organizations or units of general purpose local government are eligible subrecipients that receive ESG funds directly from the Department. (The two allocations are described further below.)
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.
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 was approved in the Executive Order N-66-20 issued May 29, 2020, which provides for partial waiver of the California State ESG Regulations.
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.
Continuum of Care (CoC) Allocation
CoCs within this allocation have at least one city or county that receives ESG funds directly from HUD. Within the CoC Allocation, Administrative Entities (AEs) are selected by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to administer an allocation of funds provided through a formula for their service area. These AEs must be local governments of ESG Entitlement Areas and must commit to administering ESG funds in collaboration with their CoC throughout their CoC Service Area, including ensuring access to ESG funds by households living in Nonentitlement Areas. A minimum of 40 percent of each AE Allocation must be used for Rapid Rehousing activities.
CoC Allocation Administrative Entity Contact List (PDF)
Balance of State (BoS) Allocation
CoCs within this allocation have no cities or counties that receive ESG funds directly from HUD.
Within the BoS Allocation, CoCs may select providers to receive a portion of funds available noncompetitively for Rapid Rehousing (RR). HCD will administer these contracts with providers. Remaining funds within the BoS Allocation will be divided into three regional allocations. CoCs will recommend homeless service providers to compete for these funds within their regional allocation under a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) issued by HCD.
Balance of State Allocation CoC Contact List (PDF)
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.
Guidelines and Regulations
- Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Title XII, Homeless Assistance Grants Section (PDF)
- Executive Order N-66-20 issued May 29, 2020 (PDF)
- State Regulations
- State Regulations (PDF)
- Federal Regulations
Get Funding
Current NOFAs
New! 2020 ESG-CV (Round 2) Coronavirus NOFA Allocation & Application
- New! 2020 ESG-CV (Round 2) Coronavirus NOFA (PDF)
- New! Coming Soon! ESG-CV (Round 2) Coronavirus NOFA Amendment #1
The amendment extends the application deadline from: October 21, 2020 to October 28, 2020 - 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 (YouTube)
Webinars
- New! Oct 13 – 2020 ESG-CV (Round 2) Coronavirus NOFA Webinar
- New! 2020 ESG-CV (Round 2) Frequently Asked Question (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 (PDF)
- TIN Form (PDF) (File may need to be opened in Internet Explorer)
- eCivis Grants Network HCD External User Manual (PDF)
- June 4, 2020 ESG-CV Coronavirus NOFA Webinar (YouTube)
- 2020 ESG Federal Procurement Webinar Slides (PDF)
- 2020 ESG Federal Procurement Webinar Recording (YouTube)
ESG NOFA for the Continuum of Care (CoC) Allocation & Application Forms
- 2020 ESG Continuum of Care Amended NOFA (PDF) - 5/12/2020
- 2020 ESG Continuum of Care Resolution (PDF)
- STD 204 - Payee Data Record (PDF)
- TIN Form (PDF) (File may need to be opened in Internet Explorer)
- 2020 ESG Applicant Name Verification Form (PDF)
- 2020 ESG Continuum of Care Applications Received (PDF)
ESG NOFA for the Balance of State (BoS) Allocation & Application Forms
- 2020 ESG Balance of State Amended NOFA (PDF) - 5/12/2020
- 2020 ESG Balance of State Resolution (PDF)
- STD 204 - Payee Data Record (PDF)
- TIN Form (PDF) (File may need to be opened in Internet Explorer)
- 2020 ESG Applicant Name Verification Form (PDF)
- 2020 ESG Balance of State Applications Received (PDF)
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) (File may need to be opened using Internet Explorer)
- ESG CoC Webinar Recording (YouTube)
- March 3, 2020 ESG NOFA Continuum of Care Webinar
- ESG CoC FAQs (PDF)
- 2019 ESG Continuum of Care Applications Received (PDF)
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) (File may need to be opened using Internet Explorer)
- ESG BoS Webinar Recording (YouTube)
- 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
ESG NOFA for the Continuum of Care (COC) Allocation and Application Forms
- 2018 ESG Continuum of Care NOFA Amended (PDF)
- 2018 ESG CoC Resolution (PDF)
- Payee Data Record (PDF)
- 2018 ESG CoC FAQ (PDF)
ESG NOFA for the Balance of State (BOS) Allocation and Application Forms
- 2018 ESG Balance of State NOFA (PDF)
- 2018 ESG BoS Resolution (PDF)
- Payee Data Record (PDF)
- 2018 ESG BoS FAQ (PDF)
2017 NOFA
- 2017 NOFA Awards
- 2017 NOFA for the Continuum of Care Allocation Amended (PDF)
- 2017 NOFA for the Balance of State Allocation (PDF)
- 2017 FAQs (PDF)
2016 NOFA
- 2016 Awards
- 2016 NOFA (PDF)
2014 NOFA (05/20/2015)
2013 NOFA (06/2014)
- 2020 ESG Award Lists
- New! 2020 ESG-CV1 Awards (PDF)
- 2019 ESG Award Lists
- 2019 Continuum of Care Awards (PDF)
- 2019 Balance of State Competitive Awards (PDF)
- 2019 Balance of State Noncompetitive Awards (PDF)
- 2018 ESG Award Lists
- 2018 ESG Continuum of Care, Administrative Entity Allocation Funding List (PDF)
- 2018 ESG Balance of State Allocation Noncompetitive Component Funding List (PDF)
- 2018 ESG Balance of State Allocation, Regional Competition Funding List (PDF)
- 2018 ESG Application - Final BoS Competitive Scores (PDF)
- 2017 ESG Award Lists (12/21/2017)
- 2017 ESG Continuum of Care, Administrative Entity Allocation Funding List (PDF)
- 2017 ESG Balance of State Allocation Noncompetitive Component Funding List (PDF)
- 2017 ESG Balance of State Allocation Regional Competition Component Funding List (PDF)
- 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)
Program Forms
Current ESG Forms
- ESG Request for Funds (RFF) and Sample Request for Funds
(XLS)
- Use this form for requests for reimbursement
- ESG Authorized Signatories Identity Form
(XLS)
- Detailed list of positions and individuals authorized to sign the RFF in lieu of the Authorized Representative listed on the Resolution.
- 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)
- STD 204 - Payee Data Record
(PDF)
- Required when receiving payment from the State of California in lieu of IRS W 9
- ESG Staff Representatives for all Counties (PDF)
- Annual Performance Reports
- ESG Annual Performance Report 2019/20 Workbook (XLS) - 04/16/2020
- Annual Performance Report Help Tools
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.
Management Memos
Training, Technical Assistance, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- View the ESG FAQs (PDF)
- 2018 ESG BoS FAQ (PDF)
- 2018 ESG CoC FAQ (PDF)
Webinars
- 2020 ESG CoC Webinar Recording (YouTube)
- 2020 ESG BoS Webinar Recording (YouTube)
- May 18: Rapid Re-Housing Performance Benchmarks and Program Standards
- May 26: Rapid Re-Housing: First Core Component Housing Identification
- June 15: Rapid Re-Housing: Second Core Component: Rent and Move-In Assistance
- June 24: Rapid Re-Housing: Third Core Component: Case Management and Services
2017 Coordinated Entry Systems Workshop
2015 Rapid Re-Housing 101 & Rapid Re-Housing Institute
- Rapid Re-Housing Institute Day One AM Session (PDF)
- Rapid Re-Housing Institute Day One PM Session (PDF)
- Rapid Re-Housing Institute Day Two (PDF)
- California Landlord Benefits Checklist (PDF)
- Landlord Information Template (PDF)
- Handout Progressive Engagement Overview (PDF)
- Additional Resources Handout (PDF)
Resources
Plans & Reports
- 2015-2025 Statewide Housing Plan
- California Inter-Regional Partnership (IRP) Program Final Report (2005)
- The Future of Infill Housing: Opportunities, Potential, Feasibility and Demand (2005)
- Recommendations of the Interagency Task Force on Homelessness (2003)
- Raising the Roof - California Housing Development Projections and Constraints (2001)
- Housing: California's Foundation for Economic Growth (PDF)
- Draft Substantial Amendment to 2015-16 Annual Action Plan and Public Notice (PDF)
- 2010-2015 California Consolidated Plan
- Annual Plan, CAPER (updated annually)