The 2025 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program, managed by San Diego County’s Housing and Community Development Services (HCDS), offers funding to nonprofits and public entities assisting homeless individuals or those at risk of homelessness. The ESG program, a federal initiative under HUD, supports projects in San Diego County’s unincorporated areas and in the cities of Coronado, Del Mar, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove, Poway, and Solana Beach. With $300,000 available, the grant focuses on rapid re-housing, emergency shelter operations, street outreach, homelessness prevention, and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) support. Selected projects must provide a 100% in-kind funding match.
Eligible projects must align with ESG’s objectives to engage homeless populations, improve emergency shelter services, and assist in housing stability. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the County’s Consolidated Plan and the Continuum of Care Community Standards. Additionally, projects must serve low-income individuals, particularly those with incomes below 30% of the area median income (AMI).
The application process starts with the release of the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) on November 1, 2024, followed by a virtual technical assistance session on November 13. Proposals must be submitted by 3 PM on December 6, 2024. Applicants are encouraged to submit through a secure document management system and to ensure their applications are complete and compliant to avoid disqualification. Award notifications are expected in February 2025, and projects are set to begin by July 1, 2025.
Key application requirements include a board resolution, audited financial statements, evidence of in-kind match funding, and a cost allocation plan. Proposals must also include a detailed project description, an organizational chart, position descriptions, and a project budget. Selected projects will be monitored for performance, and recipients must retain records for five years.
Grant recipients must meet ongoing requirements such as environmental and insurance compliance, HMIS participation, and strict recordkeeping. The funding is reimbursed, so expenses incurred before contract initiation are not eligible. Adjustments to the grant allocation or project cancellation may occur if a project does not meet performance standards.
