Emergency Solutions Grant

The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program is designed to provide the services necessary to help people quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis and/or homelessness. The program is also intended to lower the increase of homelessness through the funding of preventive programs and services.

Program Goals and Components

Eligible applicants include units of local government or private, nonprofit organizations that receive approval by an appropriate unit of local government.

The ESG Program provides funds to:

Engage homeless individuals and families living on the street or other places not meant for regular human habitation.
Improve the number and quality of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families.
Help operate these shelters.
Provide essential services to shelter residents.
Rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families.
Prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless.

ESG Program funds may be used for one or more of the five program components:

Street Outreach

Emergency Shelter

Homelessness Prevention

Rapid Rehousing

Homeless Management Information System

How ESG Works in Kentucky

ESG funds are provided to communities annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) using a formula-based allocation method.

Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) is the recipient on behalf of the Commonwealth and subawards funds to partners across the 118-county Balance of State Continuum of Care through a competitive application process.

View ESG Funding Opportunities

Lexington-Fayette County and Louisville-Jefferson County receive ESG allocations directly from HUD and manage their own application processes.

Interested community partners can learn more about the ESG Program and eligible activities by reviewing HUD's ESG Interim Rule at 24 CFR 576.