City of Newton, MA
Home MenuEmergency Solutions Grant Program (ESG)
What is it?
The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program is a federally funded grant intended to fund services that prevent homelessness and enable homeless individuals and families to move toward stabilization. Approximately $151,700 in ESG funding will be available for the three eligible components:
1. Emergency Shelter | 2. Homelessness Prevention | 3. Rapid Re-Housing
The ESG program provides funding to these various components by:
- Engaging homeless individuals and families living on the street;
- Improving the number and quality of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families;
- Helping operate these shelters;
- Providing essential services to shelter residents;
- Rapidly re-housing homeless individuals and families; and
- Preventing families and individuals from becoming homeless.
Annual Request For Proposal (RFP)
Stay tuned here for information on the next RFP cycle (FY28)
Typical Funding Timeline for Applicants
- Early January: Request for Proposal (RFP) released for ESG applicants
- End of January: Application deadline
- Mid February: Proposals reviewed by *committee and staff
- Early April: Funding recommendations presented to the Planning & Development Board for Approval at the Public Hearing
- April: Public comment period for 30 days
- Mid April: Annual Action Plan (AAP) presented to Zoning and Planning Committee (ZAP) which outlines annual City funding priorities
- May: Mayor reviews the Annual Action Plan (AAP)
- Mid May: Annual Action Plan is submitted to Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- July 1 (annual fiscal year start date): Funding begins
- Fall: HUD distributes finalized funding to the City
*The RFP Review Committee consists of: representatives from Newton Department Health and Human Services, Newton Department of Planning and Development, Balance of State Continuum of Care (MA Department of Housing and Community Development, and former Brookline-Newton-Waltham-Watertown (BNWW) Continuum of Care social service providers (non-ESG applicants)
FY2027 ESG Recipients
| Grantee | Project | Scope | Grant Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookline
Community Mental Health Center |
Homelessness Prevention | Funds will support individuals and families at-risk of homelessness through rental assistance and housing relocation and stabilization services. | $33,285.00 |
| Rapid Re-housing | Funds will support homeless individuals and families through rental assistance and housing relocation and stabilization services. | $21,110.00 | |
|
Community Day Center of Waltham 16 Felton Street, Waltham |
Integrated Day and Seasonal Night Programs | Funds will integrate intensive case management services in a drop-in daytime program as well as in a seasonal night program for those individuals struggling with chronic homelessness. | $68,320.00 |
|
Reach Beyond Domestic Violence P.O Box 540024, Waltham (781) 891-0724 |
Emergency Shelter Operations | To support our confidential, secure 8-family emergency shelter for survivors of domestic abuse. | $28,150.00 |
| Total ESG Funding: | $150,865.00 | ||
Additional Resources
- HUD ESG Program Information
- Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Client File Checklist
- Minimum Standards Checklist and Lead Screening Worksheet
- Rental Assistance and Housing Relocation and Stabilization Services Matrix
- Definition of Homeless and At-Risk
Balance of State Continuum of Care
In December of 2016, the Brookline-Newton-Waltham-Watertown (BNWW) Continuum of Care (CoC), previously led by the City of Newton, merged with the Massachusetts Balance of State (BoS). The BoS, under the supervision of the Department of Housing and Community Development, implements the continuum's homelessness strategy across 80+ members communities. As a member community, the City of Newton actively collaborates and coordinates with the BoS through the ESG allocation process and planning efforts.
The BoS combines state funds with federal funds obtained from HUD through an annual competitive application to provide homeless assistance services and supported housing programs for primarily long-term homeless individuals and families with one or more disabilities. In addition, BoS manages the Coordinated Entry process to facilitate the process of assessing the housing needs of individuals experiencing homelessness and meeting those housing needs.
Contact Information
For more information on the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program, please contact Sharon Culins, Community Development Planner, at scullins@newtonma.gov