Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)

The Emergency Solutions Grant is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act as amended by the HEARTH Act. The program is designed to support efforts that address homelessness by enabling individuals and families experiencing housing crises to quickly regain stability in permanent housing. The Commonwealth anticipates distributing approximately 5.9 million dollars in funding to eligible applicants that can implement effective and efficient homelessness response strategies. The primary purpose of the program is to support a coordinated system that addresses homelessness through rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, street outreach, emergency shelter, and Homeless Management Information System activities. Funded programs are required to follow a Housing First approach, which prioritizes immediate access to permanent housing without preconditions, and must participate in a coordinated entry system through their local Continuum of Care. This ensures that services are accessible, needs are assessed consistently, and assistance is prioritized based on vulnerability and urgency. Funding may be used for a variety of eligible activities including rental assistance, housing relocation and stabilization services, emergency shelter operations or renovations, outreach services, and data system support. Administrative costs are limited to a small percentage of the total request, and certain activity caps apply, such as limits on emergency shelter and street outreach funding. All expenditures must comply with federal regulations under 24 CFR 576. The minimum grant request is 25000 dollars, and all awarded activities must be completed within an 18 month contract period. A key requirement of the program is a 100 percent matching contribution from applicants, which may include cash or noncash contributions from federal, state, local, or private sources. Certain applicants may request a waiver for match requirements under limited circumstances, particularly if they demonstrate financial hardship or serve predominantly low- and moderate-income populations. Matching contributions must meet federal eligibility standards and be expended within the contract period. Eligible applicants include local governments and nonprofit organizations with appropriate tax-exempt status and operational capacity. Nonprofits may apply independently for regional projects or in partnership with local governments. Projects must serve individuals or families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, with specific eligibility definitions tied to federal guidelines. The program also requires coordination with local Continuums of Care, adherence to data reporting standards, and compliance with housing quality and civil rights regulations. Applications must be submitted through the Pennsylvania Electronic Single Application system and include a comprehensive set of required documents such as resolutions, certifications, statements of need, program design forms, and match documentation. The process is competitive, and incomplete applications may be rejected. Evaluation considers alignment with state and federal priorities, program design, coordination efforts, and demonstrated capacity to deliver services effectively. While specific deadlines are not explicitly stated in the guidelines, the application cycle follows a structured review and approval process culminating in contract execution and program implementation.