The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), is designed to assist individuals and families in regaining housing stability after experiencing homelessness or a housing crisis. This program is authorized by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as amended by the HEARTH Act, and is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). For the 2024 cycle, Pennsylvania has received $5,926,215 in ESG funding, which will be allocated to eligible applicants across the state.

The ESG program supports a variety of project categories, including Rapid Rehousing, Street Outreach, Homelessness Prevention, Emergency Shelter, and Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS). All applicants must utilize a Housing First approach, meaning services should focus on quickly connecting individuals to permanent housing without imposing barriers or prerequisites. Projects should be coordinated through the local Continuum of Care (CoC) to ensure system-wide strategic alignment and equitable service delivery.

Eligible applicants include local governments (such as counties, cities, townships, and home rule municipalities) and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. Nonprofits can apply independently for regional projects, or local governments can apply on behalf of nonprofits for single-county initiatives. Applications are submitted via the DCED's Electronic Single Application (ESA) system and must include detailed documentation, including project design forms, match commitment letters, and a statement of need informed by data and CoC strategic plans.

Each applicant must request at least $25,000, and administrative costs are capped at 3.75% of the total grant. Emergency Shelter and Street Outreach components may not exceed 60% of the total request. All projects must be completed within 18 months of contract start and must comply with federal and state regulations, including habitability standards, rent reasonableness, fair housing laws, and requirements for HMIS participation.

A 100% match is required unless an applicant qualifies for a waiver, which is available for organizations with an annual operating budget under $100,000 or serving predominantly low- and moderate-income communities. Funding priorities include alignment with the federal “All In” strategy to reduce homelessness by 25% by 2025, prioritizing the most vulnerable populations, and regional collaborations that address demonstrated state-level needs.

For questions or assistance, applicants can contact Brendan Auman, Homeless Program Manager, at RA-DCESG@pa.gov, or reach out to their regional DCED office listed in the guidelines. Application materials must be submitted through ESA by the published deadline (to be confirmed each cycle on the DCED website).