The Emergency Shelter Grant Program is authorized by Title IV of the Stewart B. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11371-11378). The grant is available to units of general local government or private non-profit organizations. The purpose of the program is to accommodate the beginning steps in Idaho's Continuum of Care process by preventing homelessness and providing Emergency Shelter that meets immediate needs and enables the homeless population to move toward independent living. Please Note: All documents below require Acrobat Reader for viewing.
Links:
Desk Guide
CFR
Frequently Asked Questions
1Q: What is the Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) Program?
A: The Emergency Shelter Grant program is the first step in a continuum of homeless assistance programs operated by HUD. It was established by the Homeless Housing Act of 1986 and was incorporated into Title IV of the Stewart B. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act in 1987.
2Q: Who is eligible to apply for funding under the Emergency Shelter Grant Program?
A: Non-profit,501(c)(3), organizations are eligible to apply for funding each spring when IHFA releases a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). These agencies must demonstrate need, experience, and organizational capacity through the application process.
3Q: What programs may be funded by the Emergency Shelter Grant?
A: ESG will fund Emergency Shelter projects, Transitional Housing projects (limited support), and Homeless Prevention programs for rent and utility assistance for those at risk of homelessness due to a sudden reduction in income that is not permanent in nature.
All clients served by ESG funds must qualify under HUD’s definitions of ‘homeless’ or ‘at risk of homelessness’ (for Homeless Prevention) before assistance is given. These definitions are listed in the ESG Policy Manual on this website.
5Q: What is the Emergency Shelter Grant application process?
A: Applicants follow instructions on the NOFA and on IHFA’s website for completing application materials. All applications must be submitted by the posted deadline in order to be considered for review.
6Q: How is funding for the Emergency Shelter Grant allocated?
A: A panel of qualified reviewers using IHFA’s official rating process evaluates each application. Points are awarded for each application category. Combined points must meet or exceed a Threshold Score for an application to be funded.
7Q: What are the ‘Match’ requirements for the Emergency Shelter Grant?
A: ESG funding provided by HUD must be matched dollar-for-dollar with funds from other sources. Applicants are required to provide a "Match Certification" during the Technical Submission process that shows the sources and amounts of their matching funds. Supplemental funds, in-kind services, volunteer time, value of donated materials, value of lease on a shelter facility, salaries paid to carry out the program, etc. may be used to match ESG funds. All matching funds must be provided AFTER the date of the grant award to the service provider.
8Q: How long is the program period for the Emergency Shelter Grant?
A: IHFA sets the ESG program period at 18 months. Awards are normally made July 1 and the grant runs through December 31 of the following year. Since new funding becomes available each spring, there are always 2 grant periods running at the same time.
7Q: How soon can I begin using my Emergency Shelter Grant award?
A: Grant funds are available as soon as a Letter of Award is received from IHFA. Money is paid out on a reimbursement basis ONLY; cash advances are not allowed under this program. Expenditures must be dated AFTER the beginning date and BEFORE the closing date of the grant. Receipts for services rendered outside the grant period are not eligible for reimbursement. The process by which funds may be drawn is outlined in both the ESG Policy Manual and the ESG Program Solicitation.
8Q: Can I apply for Emergency Shelter Grant funds to support my transitional housing project?
A: Yes. Support for Transitional Housing projects is an eligible activity under the ESG program. However, since ESG is the only grant that supports emergency shelters while there is other grant money available for supportive housing, IHFA prioritizes ESG funding so that shelters automatically receive more support from this grant than transitional housing projects. ESG awards for transitional housing projects will be minimal. Additionally, ESG cannot serve as the match for other Federal programs, including the Supportive Housing Program.
9Q: What guidelines are provided to Project Sponsors for use in implementing their Emergency Shelter Grant programs?
A: Recipients of Emergency Shelter Grant funds are required by law to follow the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 24, Part 576, the United States Code (USC) Title 42, Chapter 119, Subchapter IV Part B, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars A-110, A-122 and A-133. Other federal laws are incorporated into IHFA policies and procedures for the Emergency Shelter Grant Program to ensure compliance to federal standards of financial management, internal controls and environmental regulations. Adherence to these policies and procedures, as well as the reporting requirements of IHFA’s approved Homeless Management Information System, is required by contract for all ESG Service Providers.