With the authorization of the HEARTH Act in May 2009, Congress made significant changes to the McKinney-Vento Act programs. One of the changes replaced the Emergency Shelter Grant program (ESG) with the Emergency Solutions Grant. The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) provides federal funds to assist individuals and families to quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness.
In coordination with the activities of the County's Continuum of Care –The Housing and Supportive Services Network (HSSN), and the Homeless Solutions Advisory Council, OCD administers the ESG program. ESG funds are currently being used for rapid re-housing activities administered by Community Action Organization.