The 2026 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) is funded and regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered locally by the Cobb County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Office. The ESG program is authorized under the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009 (HEARTH Act) and aims to assist individuals in regaining housing stability following homelessness or a housing crisis. The application period for the 2026 ESG program runs from February 11, 2025, at 8:00 AM (EST) to April 11, 2025, at 5:00 PM (EDT).

The ESG program provides funding for local nonprofit organizations and government entities in Cobb County to implement projects that address homelessness and housing insecurity. Eligible activities under this program include Emergency Shelter, Street Outreach, Homeless Prevention, and Rapid Re-housing services. Emergency shelters offer temporary housing solutions, including drop-in and continuous-stay shelters, with the goal of transitioning individuals into permanent housing within 20 days when possible. Street Outreach services focus on connecting unsheltered homeless individuals with emergency shelter, housing, or critical services. Homeless Prevention services aim to support individuals at risk of losing their housing due to eviction, specifically those with an income below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Rapid Re-housing services assist individuals and families in securing permanent housing through temporary rental assistance and housing stability support, targeting those with incomes below 50% AMI.

All agencies receiving ESG funds must participate in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Client Track to ensure compliance and track service outcomes. The 2026 grant funding allocations prioritize Emergency Shelter Activities (48%), Street Outreach (10%), Homeless Prevention (34.5%), and Planning & Administration (7.5%). Notably, there is no allocation for Rapid Re-housing in the 2026 funding cycle.

The Cobb County CDBG Program Office conducted a Strategic Plan Assessment in 2024 to identify key issues impacting the community. The findings highlighted significant concerns related to housing insecurity, mental health challenges, employment and education barriers, income inequality, substance abuse, domestic violence, and a growing homelessness crisis in Cobb County. In response, the 2026 ESG funding priorities were designed to address these pressing needs.

A Selection Committee will review submitted applications to determine compliance with program requirements and make funding recommendations to the Cobb County Board of Commissioners (BOC) in November. The grant award period will run from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. Applicants must ensure that their proposed projects align with the funding priorities and eligibility criteria to be considered for funding. For further information or inquiries regarding the application process, interested applicants should contact the Cobb County CDBG Program Office directly.