The Local Government Emergency Housing Support Program (LGEHS) is an initiative by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED). This program aims to provide targeted emergency housing support to local governments and nonprofit organizations assisting individuals and families displaced due to natural or man-made disasters. It is designed to ensure affected communities have access to temporary housing, stabilization services, and necessary support for recovery and resilience. The program operates under the authority of Section 3 of the Act of May 10, 1939 (P.L. 111), commonly known as the Commerce Law.
The grant is available to all units of local government within Pennsylvania, including counties, townships, towns, boroughs, and cities, as well as nonprofit organizations that meet specific eligibility criteria. Eligible nonprofits must be recognized under 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, have been operational in the Commonwealth for at least two years, and must coordinate with local municipalities facing a housing crisis, evidenced by a letter of support from the affected local government. Funding will only be provided in areas where a local Disaster Declaration has been issued or in regions deemed high need by DCED.
Funding under this program can be used for emergency shelter construction, rehabilitation, or conversion, as well as adding beds to existing facilities. It also supports short- or medium-term rental assistance for displaced individuals and covers administrative costs, though these costs are capped at 1% of the total grant award. Other uses may be considered at the department’s discretion. However, property acquisition is not permitted, and grants cannot be used to reimburse project expenses covered by other federal or state funding sources.
Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, but they are reviewed and approved quarterly. To be considered for the next funding cycle, applications must be submitted before the end of a calendar quarter. The application must be submitted via the DCED Electronic Single Application for Assistance (ESA) at grants.pa.gov. Required supplemental documentation includes a local disaster declaration, a description of the emergency, details on the affected population, and an explanation of how the grant funds will be used.
Upon approval, recipients will receive an email instructing them to sign and return the grant agreement within 60 days. Once executed, 100% of the approved funds will be advanced to the grantee upon submission of an invoice. Award recipients are required to maintain detailed project records, adhere to non-discrimination policies, and comply with prevailing wage requirements where applicable. Quarterly reporting using the CoC Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is mandatory to ensure accountability.
For questions or assistance with the application process, applicants can contact the DCED Customer Service Center at 800-379-7448 or via email at ra-dcedcs@pa.gov.
