This page contains the authorizing laws, regulations, and Federal Register Notices for the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program.
On May 20, 2009, the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act of 2009 was signed into law. The HEARTH Act amends and reauthorizes the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act with substantial changes, including:
Date Published: May 2009
The ESG Program Interim Rule was first published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2011 and became effective on January 4, 2012. An updated version of the ESG Program Interim Rule was published in the Federal Register on April 1, 2017. The updated version of the ESG Program Interim Rule incorporates the addition to the ESG Program Interim Rule of section 576.409 regarding protections for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, which was established in response to the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. The original ESG Program Interim Rule, with the preamble, is also available on the HUD Exchange.
Date Published: Updated April 2017
This final rule establishes the definition of “chronically homeless” that will be used in HUD's CoC Program, and in the Consolidated Submissions for Community Planning and Development (CPD) Programs. This definition has been the subject of significant public comment which has guided HUD in establishing the definition of “chronically homeless” that will be used in its homeless assistance programs. The final rule also establishes the necessary recordkeeping requirements that correspond to the definition of “chronically homeless” for the CoC Program. Historically, other programs within HUD, as well as other agencies such as the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) and the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), have adopted HUD's definition of chronically homeless and may also choose to adopt the definition of “chronically homeless” included in this final rule, however, it is not required.
Date Published: December 2015
This version of 24 CFR Part 91, Consolidated Submissions for Community Planning and Development Programs as Amended by ESG Interim Rule and Homeless Definition Final Rule, explains Consolidated Submissions for Community Planning and Development Programs as amended by the Emergency Solutions Grants Program interim rule and Homeless definition final rule.
Date Published: November 2011
This final rule, published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2011, integrates the regulation for the definition of “homeless,” and the corresponding recordkeeping requirements, for the Emergency Solutions Grants program, the Shelter Plus Care program, and the Supportive Housing Program. This final rule also establishes the regulation for the definition “developmental disability” and the definition and recordkeeping requirements for “homeless individual with a disability” for the Shelter Plus Care program and the Supportive Housing Program.
Date Published: November 2011
This Notice announces additional flexibility for recipients and subrecipients administering rapid re-housing (RRH) assistance with Emergency Solutions Grants Program funds provided under the CARES Act (ESG-CV funds). Specifically, this notice establishes new waiver and alternative requirements to allow ESG-CV funds to be used for short- and medium-term rental assistance and housing relocation and stabilization services for individuals and families who are residing in housing and receiving time limited subsidies funded by another source and who met the definition of “homeless” prior to entering that housing and whose subsidy is within 30 days of expiring.
Date Published: April 2021
This Notice instructs all Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Housing Trust Fund (HTF), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) formula grantees on the timing of submission of FY 2021 Consolidated Plans and Action Plans. Grantees should not submit their Plans until the actual grant amounts have been determined and announced by HUD.
Date Published: February 2021
This Notice announces the allocation formula, amounts, and requirements for the additional $3.96 billion in funding provided for the ESG Program under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). These ESG-CV funds must be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, among individuals and families who are homeless or receiving homeless assistance and to support additional homeless assistance and homelessness prevention activities to mitigate the impacts created by coronavirus.
Date Published: September 2020
This Notice encourages all CPD program grantees under the CDBG, HOME, HTF, and HOPWA programs to consider using their allocations to support projects and activities in designated Opportunity Zones (OZs).
Date Published: June 2020
This Notice instructs all CDBG, HOME, HTF, ESG, and HOPWA grantees on the timing of submission of FY 2019 Consolidated Plans and Action Plans.
Date Published: February 2019
This Notice provides guidance to all CPD grantees on how to incorporate an EnVision Center and its planning process into the consolidated planning process.
Date Published: July 2018
This Notice instructs all CDBG, HOME, HTF, ESG, and HOPWA grantees on the timing of submission of FY 2018 consolidated plans and action plans.
Date Published: January 2018
This Notice provides guidance on how ESG Program funds can be sub-awarded to Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and Local Redevelopment Authorities (LRAs) following the recent amendment to section 414(c) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (McKinney-Vento Act) (42 U.S.C. 11373(c)).
Date Published: October 2017
This Notice provides guidance to grantees on how to use CPD formula grant programs to carry out disaster response and recovery activities.
Date Published: June 2017
This Notice, under the authority of 24 CFR 578.7(a)(8), establishes new requirements that Continuums of Care (CoC) and recipients of CoC Program and ESG Program funding must meet related to the development and use of a centralized or coordinated assessment system. It also provides guidance on additional policies that CoCs and ESG recipients should consider incorporating into written policies and procedures to achieve improved outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.
Date Published: January 2017
This Notice instructs all CDBG, HOME, HTF, ESG and HOPWA grantees on the timing of submission of FY 2017 consolidated plans and action plans.
Date Published: December 2016
This Notice provides additional guidance for CPD program grant recipients and responds to questions about implementation of 2 CFR part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Requirements).
Date Published: April 2016
This ESG Notice requests additional feedback and public comment on certain, limited provisions of the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH): ESG Program and Consolidated Plan Conforming Amendments (referred to as the ESG interim rule) published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2011. The comment period closes on Monday, August 3, 2015.
Date Published: June 2015
This Notice provides a consistent methodology for conducting risk analyses for CPD formula and competitive grantees and establish monitoring priorities within available resources.
Date Published: March 2014
This Notice provides guidance for completing the ESG portions of the CAPER using the Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS). This notice also provides information on completing homelessness-related portions of the CAPER, which is relevant for all States, local governments, and territories that receive ESG, CDBG, HOME, and/or HOPWA formula funding (referred to collectively in this notice as Consolidated Plan (Con Plan) jurisdictions).
Date Published: August 2013
This Notice describes changes to the Consolidated Plan, within current statutory and regulatory provisions, for a new process for electronic submission including a required template and other improvements as follows: A submission template for the Consolidated Plan, the Annual Action Plan, and CAPER /Performance Evaluation Report (PER) for state grantees that will be required for all grantees receiving formula grants; Upgrades to the IDIS to facilitate electronic submission of the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan and CAPER/PER according to the required template; New data describing a broad spectrum of community, economic and market conditions; A web-based data mapping tool to assist with place-based planning; and HUD’s transition plan to implement the Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan and CAPER submission templates in IDIS.
Date Published: April 2012
This Notice provides guidance to Participating Jurisdictions (PJs) and private nonprofit organizations on using HOME funds together with HUD Continuum of Care homeless assistance funds under the Stewart B. McKinney Act programs.
Date Published: January 2001