Emergency Solutions Grants

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Basic Info
The Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program provides street outreach, emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, homelessness prevention, and related services to persons experiencing homelessness or in danger of becoming homeless throughout the state. 
 
Sub-awards are provided to local government entities and non-profit organizations utilizing State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless Commission (HTF) and Federal HUD ESG funds.  These agencies then deliver program services at the local level.  This program is principally designed to operate within a continuum of assistance that enables individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to move toward housing sustainability.

Documents


Forms
Public Notices
Presentations
Awards
Applications
Manuals
Related Links: 
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's ESG Program
If you are experiencing homelessness and seeking assistance, please click here.
Resources

FFY23 Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Application Q & A

The DCA ESG and HOPWA Programs application process will open Monday, April 10, 2023.

ESG Resources for Current Sub-grantees

The contents of this web page are provided for DCA/GHFA Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program sub-grantees as a central place to regularly review DCA and U.S.

Newsroom

Announcements

  • 2024 ESG Method of Distribution

    Public Comment Notice

    FFY2024 Goals and Action Steps

    for ESG

    The State of Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is currently preparing its  FFY2024/SFY2025 Annual Action Plan for the 2023-2027 Consolidated Plan for the State fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024. The application submission periods for the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program will begin in April 2024.

    As a result, DCA has prepared a draft of the FFY2024 action steps for each project along with other project specific requirements including the proposed methods of funding distribution and the project priorities for funding.  Comments regarding these and other issues will be accepted for a 30-day period for review and consideration prior to the beginning of these application submission periods.

    The State encourages citizens and other interested parties to review the draft document and to submit their written comments no later than February 29, 2024 at 5:00 PM.  All written comments should be emailed to LaDrina.Jones@dca.ga.gov or mailed to:

    FFY2024 ESG Method of Distribution

    Georgia Department of Community Affairs

    Office of Homeless and Special Needs Housing

    Attn: LaDrina M. Jones

    60 Executive Park South NE

    Atlanta, GA 30329-2231

    The Georgia Department of Community Affairs is committed to providing all persons with equal access to its services, programs, activities, education, and employment regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, or age. For reasonable accommodation or if you need an alternative format or language, please contact Christy Lovett at: fairhousing@dca.ga.gov.

  • FFY 2024 Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Application Q & A

    The DCA ESG Program competition will open Monday, April 8, 2024.

    The DCA ESG Program will have four (4) Q & A webinars offered during the competition. Local government entities and non-profit organizations applying for the ESG Program are encouraged to attend at least (1) Q & A webinar.

     

    Q & A Webinars

    Wednesday, April 10, 2024, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

    Click Here to Register

     

    Monday, April 15, 2024, 10:30 am – 11:30 am

    Click Here to Register

     

    Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

    Click Here to Register

     

    Thursday, May 2, 2024, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

    Click Here to Register

     

    All ESG Program applications will open on Monday, April 8, 2024 and will close at 2:00 pm, Friday, May 3, 2024.

    Please feel free to contact Bowers-Weller (Tiffany.Weller@dca.ga.gov) with any questions you may have regarding the DCA ESG Program application Q & A webinars.

  • 2024 Emergency Solutions Grants Application Workshop Announcement

    The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is announcing the 2024 Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program competition.  The ESG Program is designed to provide housing or service resources with the goal of stable housing outcomes for eligible persons, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

    The ESG Program provides street outreach, emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, homelessness prevention, and related services to persons experiencing homelessness or in danger of becoming homeless throughout the state.  Sub-awards are provided to local government entities and non-profit organizations utilizing State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless Commission (HTF) and Federal HUD ESG funds.  These agencies then deliver program services at the local level.  This program is principally designed to operate within a continuum of assistance that enables individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness to move toward housing sustainability. We do not fund individuals or households.

    The ESG Program competition will open on Monday, April 8, 2024 and all applications, supporting documents, and organizational documentation will be due on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 2:00 pm.

    Information regarding the 2024 ESG Program competition will be posted on the ESG Program webpage at:  https://www.dca.ga.gov/safe-affordable-housing/homeless-special-needs-housing/emergency-solutions-grants.  

    DCA will offer five (5) in person ESG Program workshops that will go over the projects, the application process, organizational documents, and the application timeline.  Please click the link below to register for the location of your choice.  These workshops are scheduled for:

    Friday, February 9, 2024, 11:00 am

    This session is only open to registrants of the Department Community Affairs Homeless and Special Needs Housing, Housing Symposium in Atlanta, GA.

    Wednesday, February 21, 2024, 10:00 am

    Ninth District Opportunity, Inc.

    308 Spring Street SW

    Gainesville, GA 30501

    Click Here to Register

    Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 11:00 am

    Mack Gaston Community Center

    218 N. Fredrick Street

    Dalton, GA 30721

    Click Here to Register

    Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 10:00 am

    College of Coastal Georgia

    Stembler Theater

    One College Drive

    Brunswick, GA 31520

    Click Here to Register

    Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 10:00 am

    River Edge Behavioral Health

    175 Emery Hwy

    Macon, GA 31217

    Click Here to Register

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • 23-24 DCA ESG Application Workshop PowerPoint

    The PDF of the FFY23 DCA ESG Application Workshop PowerPoint.

  • FFY23 Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) Application Q & A

    The DCA ESG and HOPWA Programs application process will open Monday, April 10, 2023.

    The DCA ESG Program will have four (4) Q & A webinars offered during the application process. The HOPWA Program will have two (2) Q & A webinars during the application process. Local government entities and non-profit organizations applying for ESG and/or HOPWA are encouraged to attend at least one (1) Q & A webinar.

    Q & A Webinars

    Thursday, April 13, 2023, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

    (ESG Only)

    Click Here to Join 

     

    Monday, April 17, 2023, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

    (ESG and HOPWA) 

    Click Here to Join 

     

    Wednesday, April 26, 2023, 10:00 am - 11:00 am

    (ESG Only) 

    Click Here to Join

     

    Thursday, May 4, 2023, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

    (ESG and HOPWA)

    Click Here to Join 

     

    The application process will open Monday, April 10, 2023 and will close at noon, Friday, May 5, 2023.

    Please feel free to contact LaDrina M. Jones (LaDrina.Jones@dca.ga.gov) with questions or concerns you may have regarding the DCA ESG Program application Q & A webinars.

    Please feel free to contact Michelle Carter (Michelle.Carter@dca.ga.gov) with questions or concerns you may have regarding the DCA HOPWA Program application Q & A webinars.

View All
FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an agency limit the population they serve?

Yes, agencies the ESG Program does allow agencies to serve targeted populations as long as the targeted population is experiencing homelessness or at-risk of becoming homeless. Targeted populations could include but not limited to:

  • Single Women
  • Single Men 
  • Women and Children
  • Youth
  • Veterans
  • Families
  • Persons experiencing Domestic Violence

When are the Emergency Shelter Local Government Approval and Certification of Consistency with Local Consolidated Plan forms due?

Both forms are due on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 2:00 pm.

Who do I contact to complete the Local Government Approval and Certification of Consistency with Local Consolidated Plan forms?

The contact information for each jurisdiction can be found in the 2024 ESG Application Manual (Guidelines). If you cannot reach the jurisdiction(s), please contact Tiffany Bowers-Weller (Tiffany.Weller@dca.ga.gov)

When are the organizational documents due?

Organizational documents and applications are due on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 2:00 pm.

What do I upload if a document is not needed for my organization?

First, double check to ensure the document is not needed by your organization. Once confirmed, if not needed, upload a document with the statement, “N/A, not required for this organization due…”

Who completes the ESG Minimum Habitability Standards for Emergency Shelter: Checklist?

Staff from your agency or Staff from or hired by your agency, such as a city department that is designated to conduct inspections, or a contractor hired for that task.

Does my 501(c)3 status need to be active for two full years to be eligible for ESG?

Yes

Does DCA require municipality’s Financial Procedures and Financial Statements? Or should the department applying for ESG funding create a separate set of Financial Procedures pertaining to administering ESG?

The department applying for ESG funding should not create a separate set of Financial Procedures. The general financial procedures for the municipal will be sufficient.

Should a Certification of Consistency with the Local Consolidated Plan form be completed if services will be provided in Balance of State (BoS) counties?

Yes, select the “Not Applicable for Balance of State” and upload.

Does DCA require municipality’s Financial Procedures and Financial Statements? Or should the department applying for ESG funding create a separate set of Financial Procedures pertaining to administering ESG?

The department applying for ESG funding should not create a separate set of Financial Procedures. The general financial procedures for the municipal will be sufficient.

Who do I contact with questions about the application(s)?

Questions about the application process can only be answered on the Q and A webinars. If you have technical questions, you can email those questions to LaDrina.Jones@dca.ga.gov and Tiffany.Weller@dca.ga.gov. 

Who is required to submit a Data Quality Report (DQR) and Consolidated Annual Performance Report (CAPER)?

Agencies who are currently (October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024) awarded with DCA ESG funds.

Who do I contact if I’m having challenges with running the DQR and/or CAPER?

Non-Domestic Violence agencies: BoSHMIS@dca.ga.gov, Domestic Violence agencies: GADV@dca.ga.gov

Are both the DQR and CAPER required to be submitted?

Yes, both reports are due for current awarded DCA ESG sub-grantees.

Can an agency sub-award to other agencies?

Certainly, organizations that receive DCA ESG funds are permitted to sub-contract with other agencies. This information must be included in their application responses. Agencies engaging in sub-awarding are accountable for expending all funds by the conclusion of the contract period.

When will the ESG competition open?

The ESG competition will open on Monday, April 8, 2024, and will close at 2:00 pm on Friday, May 3, 2024.

Can I mail my application(s) to DCA?

No, all applications are submitted electronically through eCivis.

Where can I find the required documents to be uploaded in the applications?

The required documents will be posted on DCA’s website on or by March 1, 2024. The documents will also be attached to the applications once opened on Monday, April 8, 2024.

Does the ESG Program require a match?

Yes, the ESG Program requires a 100% match. Example: if requesting $150,000 for Rapid Re-Housing, the agency must have $150,000 to match the request (cash or in-kind match).

What is an in-kind match?

“In-kind match (also called noncash match), which is the value of any real property, equipment, goods, services, or donated building contributed by the recipient or subrecipient's ESG project, provided that, if the contribution had been paid for with ESG funds, the cost would have been allowable.”

What if our agency is not using the Georgia HMIS or the Georgia DV Comparable Database? Can we still apply?

Yes, your agency can apply for the ESG Program if you are not currently funded. However, if awarded, the agency must use the Georgia HMIS or the Georgia DV Comparable Database. There are no exceptions.

When will the awards be announced?

Awards will be announced in August on the DCA website, and an email will be sent to the FFY24 DCA ESG list serv.

Does our agency have to attend an ESG Program application workshop?

No, however, it is strongly encouraged. 

Does our agency have to attend the ESG Program Q and A webinars?

No, however, it is strongly encouraged. This is due to questions about the application process that can only be answered on the Q and A webinars.

How do I know if our agency is in the Balance of State (BoS) CoC?

If your agency is not located in the listed Georgia CoCs below, your agency is in the BoS CoC:

  1. Athens-Clarke County CoC
  2. Augusta-Richmond County CoC
  3. Chatham County – Savannah CoC
  4. City of Atlanta CoC
  5. Cobb County CoC
  6. Columbus-Muscogee County CoC
  7. DeKalb County CoC
  8. Fulton County CoC

If our agency plans to serve more than one jurisdiction with the ESG funds. Do we have to submit a Certification of Consistency with Local Consolidated Plan form from each jurisdiction.

Yes

Are organizational documents required if our agency applied for the last ESG competition?

Yes, all agencies applying for the ESG Program competition are required to submit all organizational documents including currently funded agencies.