Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) Applications are DUE Friday, June 12, 2020 at 5pm.
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) began in 1983 with a $50 million federal appropriation. The program was created by Congress to help meet the needs of people who are hungry and homeless throughout the United States and its territories. Federal FEMA funds are allocated to Clark County, WA for the provision of food, rent assistance and shelter to nonprofit or governmental organizations in local communities. Due to the nature of the funds allocations vary annually and are not guaranteed each year.
The 2020 Application includes funding from Phase 37 and CARES Act COVID-19 crisis funding. A total of $586,952 (subject to change) is available between the two funding allocations. All applicants should expect to spend out funds as quickly as possible and follow the ESFP identified eligibility and documentation guidelines.
- Non-profit or governmental agencies currently serving people in Clark County may apply for $586,952 through EFSP Phase 37 ($241,971) and CARES Act funding ($344,981). The funding may not be used as seed money for a new program.
- Please note: Families and individuals with direct needs for rent assistance should call the Housing Hotline at 360-695-9677.
- The funding priority areas and allocation is 20% food, 30% mass shelter and 50% rent assistance.
- Allowable costs include the following to people who are low-income:
- Food services, such as to-go meals or groceries;
- Lodging in a mass shelter, or in a hotel/motel or other off-site shelter facility, limited to 30-days assistance per individual or household;
- One month rent or mortgage assistance to prevent eviction or foreclosure;
- Utility assistance for one month of service for gas, electric and water service; and,
- Supplies, including but not limited to cleaning supplies, and small equipment essential to feed or shelter people, not exceeding $300 per item.
- To apply for funding an agency may apply for one or both of the funding sources and submit to Beth Landry, the Clark County representative on the local EFSP board by Friday, June 12, 2020 at 5pm.
- Questions? Contact Kate Budd, Council for the Homeless, EFSP Board member.