Emergency Solutions Grants Program

The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program administered by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS), Division of Aging, aims to address homelessness across the state through a coordinated crisis response approach. The initiative targets both individuals and families experiencing homelessness as well as those at risk of becoming homeless, by supporting community-based interventions that are low-barrier and housing-focused. This grant opportunity for fiscal years 2025–2026 continues NC DHHS’s commitment to reducing homelessness in North Carolina by fostering access to emergency shelter, critical services, and long-term housing stability. The ESG Program is structured to support a variety of activities under a crisis response system. Eligible initiatives may include outreach to unsheltered individuals, enhancements to emergency shelter availability and quality, operational support for shelters, provision of essential services to shelter residents, rapid rehousing efforts, and preventive interventions for at-risk households. Funding must align with the program’s overarching goal to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. As such, successful applicants must demonstrate a commitment to this mission and the ability to implement strategies that advance housing stability. The application process is open to Continuums of Care (CoC) across the state, which will recommend non-profit organizations or local units of government for direct funding. These selected organizations may either contract directly with NC DHHS or operate through a Fiscal Sponsor who holds the contract. All applicants must submit their proposals via Smartsheet by 5:00 PM ET on August 25, 2025. Late applications will not be considered. The Smartsheet link for submission will be provided by the agency in due course. A comprehensive set of application documents must be completed, including certifications, verification forms, insurance proof, and detailed project and budget templates. In preparation for submission, the NC ESG Office offers multiple instructional webinars to provide technical assistance and clarify the application process. Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend one of the sessions scheduled for June 13, June 16, or June 18, 2025. These sessions are designed to ensure that applicants understand the requirements and priorities of the ESG program. While participation in these sessions is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended to enhance proposal quality and compliance. Applications will be reviewed by NC DHHS, which maintains discretion in interpreting application content and making funding decisions. The department reserves the right to amend application requirements, request additional information, or reject any or all applications. The review process emphasizes alignment with program goals, fiscal accountability, and service impact. Notifications of award decisions are anticipated following the close of the application period, with funding periods expected to align with the 2025–2026 fiscal cycle. For additional information, applicants may contact any of the ESG Homeless Programs Coordinators listed in the RFA: Chris Battle (919-675-3067, [email protected]), Lisa Worth (919-605-0085, [email protected]), or Alissa Pritchett (919-614-5777, [email protected]). These contacts are available to assist with clarifications about the program structure, application process, or eligibility considerations. As the ESG Program operates on a recurring annual basis, future opportunities will likely follow a similar structure and timeline.