Emergency Solutions Grants Program (ESG)
California's ESG Program funds outreach, rapid re-housing, shelter, and prevention efforts to address homelessness in nonentitlement areas, with a focus on data-driven solutions and advancing racial equity.
Funder: California Department of Housing & Community Development
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2026 (Full application) | September 2026 (Disaster-impacted applicants) | March 2026 (Authorizing Resolution) | September 2026 (Authorizing Resolution for disaster-impacted applicants)
Funding Amounts: ~$12M per year; awards by Continuum of Care area. Typical CoC annual awards range from ~$150,000 to $1.2M.
Summary: Funds efforts to address homelessness in California through outreach, re-housing, shelter, and prevention activities in eligible service areas.
Key Information: This is a forecasted opportunity—dates and details may shift; a Department-approved Authorizing Resolution is required at application.
Description
The Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program, administered by the California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD) with federal funding from HUD, supports local efforts to address homelessness. Funding is available for street outreach, rapid re-housing, emergency shelter operations, homelessness prevention, and related administrative and data management activities. ESG targets Continuum of Care (CoC) service areas in California that do not receive direct ESG allocations from HUD, ensuring resources reach nonentitlement areas.
