Emergency Shelter Grant

What the Program Does:

The Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) program was originally established by the Homeless Housing Act of 1986. It grew from a response to the growing issue of homelessness among men, women, and children. In 1987, the ESG program was incorporated into subtitle B of title IV of the Stewart B. Mckinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11371-11378).

The Emergency Shelter Grant is designed to be the first stage in a continuum of assistance to prevent homelessness and to enable homeless individuals to move toward independent living. Applications are accepted and considered from local units of government only.

Who the Program Helps:

The specific population that ESG is designed to assist is homeless individuals and families. Qualified nonprofit organizations that serve the homeless are eligible applicants, through local units of government.

How It Works:

Local units of government may apply directly to the State for assistance. They, in turn, use the funds to contract with local qualified nonprofit organizations that serve the homeless. There are four funding categories under ESG: Rehabilitation, Operations, Essential Services and Homeless Prevention.

Type(s) of Assistance:

Grants

Funding Cycle:

ESG application dates are announced annually.

Eligible Entities:

City and county governments are the only eligible applicants for the state ESG program.

Key Statistics for Fiscal Year 2008:  July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009

 In 2008 KHRC awarded 30 local units of government in Kansas $893,258 in Emergency Shelter Grant funds.   In turn the local units of government funded non-profit agencies that serve the homeless or those who are at imminent risk of homelessness in their communities.

ESG program provided funding for approximately 489 emergency shelter beds, 424 domestic violence beds and 248 transitional housing beds. In addition, they funded 20 non-profit agencies that provided assistance in the form of homeless prevention funds.

Contact Information:

James Chiselom
Emergency Shelter Grant Program Manager
611 S. Kansas Avenue, Suite 300
Topeka, Kansas 66603-3803
Phone: (785) 296-7236
Fax: (785) 296-8985

Related Programs:

Consolidated Plan
Weatherization Assistance Program

More Program Info

ESG Program Forms

ESG Related Links