Georgia Department of Community Affairs

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.

ESG Emergency Shelter grant

According to the ESG regulations, “emergency shelter means any facility, the primary purpose of which is to provide a temporary shelter for the homeless in general or for specific populations of the homeless and which does not require occupants to sign leases or occupancy agreements.” In limited cases emergency shelter may include hotel/motel vouchers. Shelter stays should be avoided, if possible, and when not possible, limited to the shortest time necessary to help participants regain permanent housing. Emergency shelter projects should be closely linked to an array of projects within the community in order to accomplish this goal of stable permanent housing including, but not limited to, rapid re-housing, transitional housing, affordable housing placement, and employment. Linkages should also be made to applicable mainstream projects such as SOAR, SNAP, TANF, etc.

Applicants may apply for up to $60,000 in funding.