Emergency Solutions Grants

The Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program for Program Year 2025 is administered by the County of Hawaiʻi through its Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD), utilizing funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Authorized under subtitle B of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, this program aims to help individuals and families regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness. For PY2025, the County anticipates an allocation of approximately $255,000 in ESG funds, with final amounts contingent upon HUD’s confirmed award. The ESG program includes five core eligible components: street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing, and data collection through the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Projects funded under these components can include case management, outreach, shelter operations, essential services, rental assistance, legal services, and housing search and placement. Each of these components supports the overarching goal of helping participants transition quickly to permanent housing and achieve long-term housing stability. Notably, property acquisition and new construction are not eligible uses under this grant. For PY2025, three program priorities have been established in collaboration with the local Continuum of Care (CoC) organization, Community Alliance Partners: (1) housing stability and rapid re-housing, (2) safe housing options for highly vulnerable populations, and (3) essential services and housing support. Proposals may address one or more ESG components and will be evaluated on the strength and feasibility of their proposed activities, alignment with these priorities, and compliance with federal and local ESG requirements. Eligible applicants include private nonprofit organizations with active SAM.gov registration, a valid UEI number, and current Hawaiʻi General Excise Tax and Compliance Express credentials. Applications must propose eligible activities under 24 CFR Part 576 and demonstrate alignment with the County’s 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan. A dollar-for-dollar non-federal match is required for all ESG funds awarded. Applicants must also be capable of meeting comprehensive reporting and monitoring requirements, including HMIS data participation, financial audits, and regular performance reviews. The grant performance period is scheduled for April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. Proposals must be submitted electronically as a password-protected, zipped file or in hard copy to OHCD offices in East or West Hawai‘i by the deadline of November 14, 2025, at 4:30 PM HST. Technical assistance meetings with OHCD staff are available by request between September 15 and October 31, 2025. Grant awards are expected to be announced around January 31, 2026, with formal agreements executed by March 31, 2026. For assistance, applicants may contact OHCD’s Grants Management Division at OHCD@hawaiicounty.gov or call (808) 961-8379. The official proposal packet and all supporting documents are available at https://www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov/grants-funding/esg.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the full RFP and confirm eligibility prior to submission.