The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 introduced vital funding to support communities across the nation. A significant portion of this aid was allocated through the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program, specifically the ESG-CV, designed to combat homelessness during the pandemic. This initiative provides critical resources to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus among individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
What is the ESG-CV CARES Program Grant?
The CARES Act expanded the existing Emergency Solutions Grant program to address the unique challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. Recognizing the heightened vulnerability of the homeless population, the ESG-CV grant program was created to provide a second wave of funding to communities. This allocation, based on a HUD formula that considers factors like homeless population size and the number of very low-income renters, aimed to ensure resources reached areas with the greatest need. For example, Pennsylvania received a substantial $19,930,907 in the second round of ESG-CV funds to bolster its homelessness assistance programs. A portion of this funding was specifically directed towards “Code Blue” initiatives to provide crucial winter sheltering during the 2020-2021 season, while the remaining amount was made available for broader applications to support vulnerable populations.
How Can CARES Program Grant Funds Be Used?
The ESG-CV program offers flexibility in how funds can be utilized, allowing communities to tailor their approach to local needs while adhering to federal guidelines. Eligible activities are broadly defined and encompass a range of interventions aimed at addressing homelessness, including:
- Emergency Shelter: Providing safe and sanitary emergency shelter spaces.
- Temporary Emergency Shelter: Establishing temporary shelter solutions to meet immediate needs during crises.
- Rapid Rehousing: Quickly moving individuals and families experiencing homelessness into permanent housing.
- Homelessness Prevention: Implementing programs to prevent individuals and families at risk of homelessness from losing their housing.
- Landlord Incentives: Offering incentives to landlords to encourage them to rent to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
- Street Outreach: Connecting with unsheltered individuals to provide essential services and support.
- Hazard Pay: Providing additional compensation to frontline workers in homeless services during hazardous conditions.
- Homeless Management Information System (HMIS): Improving data collection and management systems to better understand and address homelessness.
- Administration: Covering reasonable administrative costs associated with managing ESG-CV programs.
These eligible uses ensure that the Cares Program Grant can support a comprehensive approach to tackling homelessness, from immediate shelter needs to long-term housing solutions and preventative measures.
Who is Eligible to Apply for CARES Program Grants?
The ESG-CV program is designed to be implemented at the local level, empowering communities to address their specific homelessness challenges. Eligible applicants for these grants include:
- General-purpose units of local government: This encompasses a wide range of local governmental bodies such as cities, boroughs, townships, towns, counties, and home rule municipalities.
- Regional Projects: Non-profit organizations can apply for regional projects, provided they demonstrate a need across multiple counties, fostering collaboration and resource sharing.
This broad eligibility criteria ensures that both governmental and non-profit entities can access CARES program grant funding to implement effective homelessness solutions.
Understanding the Funding Details of CARES Program Grants
The ESG-CV program aims to provide meaningful financial support to address homelessness. Key funding details include:
- Minimum Funding: Applicants can apply for a minimum of $25,000, ensuring even smaller initiatives can receive support.
- No Maximum Funding Limit: There is no set maximum amount, allowing for larger-scale projects to be considered based on need and impact.
- No Match Requirement: Importantly, no matching funds are required to receive ESG-CV grants, removing a potential barrier for resource-constrained communities and organizations.
This funding structure is designed to be accessible and impactful, enabling communities to effectively utilize CARES program grants to address homelessness during and beyond the pandemic.
Further Resources on CARES Program Grants
For those seeking more detailed information about the CARES Program Grant and the Emergency Solutions Grant program, the following resources are available:
These resources offer further insight into eligible activities and the application process, empowering potential applicants to effectively leverage the CARES program grant to address homelessness in their communities.
