PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

 The purpose of the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program is to assist individuals and families quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness. ESG provides grants by formula to states, metropolitan cities, urban counties and U.S. territories to support homelessness prevention, emergency shelter and related services. The Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009 (HEARTH Act) amended the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, revising the Emergency Shelter Grants Program in significant ways and renaming it the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program. The ESG Interim Rule took effect on January 4, 2012. The second allocation of FY 2011 ESG funding and future years are all subject to the ESG regulations. The first allocation of FY 2011 ESG funding and prior years are subject to the Emergency Shelter Grants Program regulations. ESG funds may be used for five program components: street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing assistance, and HMIS. 

PROGRAM GOALS 

The County of Orange Program Goals are concurrent with those stated in the Homeless Definitions and Identifications and in the 2020-2024 5 Year Consolidated Plan. The county funds organizations who exemplify the capacity to benefit very low, low, and moderate-income persons within the County of Orange with goals to:

1. Engage homeless individuals and families living on the street;
2. Improve the number and quality of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families;
3. Assist in the operation of emergency shelters;
4. Provide essential services to shelter residents;
5. Rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families; and
6. Prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless.

ESG funds may be used for five program components:

• Street outreach
• Emergency shelter
• Homelessness Prevention
• Rapid Re-housing Assistance
• HMIS

Orange County began receiving ESG funds on a formula basis from HUD starting in Program Year 2017.  ESG funds are intended to assist individuals and families quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness.  ESG funds may be used to assist homeless or those at risk of homelessness through street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing assistance, and/or HMIS, with 7.5% of the County's allocation reserved for administration.  ESG-funded activities may be implemented within the participating municipalities of the Orange County CDBG Urban Consortium and the HOME Consortium.