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Emergency Shelter Grant
Introduction
 The Municipality of Anchorage is a Grantee for HUD’s Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) program. It receives ESG funds annually that it can use to help prevent homelessness or provide support to homeless shelters. Although the Community Development Division is the coordinating entity for both the Continuum of Care and the Consolidated Plan, it passes ESG funds through to the Department of Health and Human Services. SAFE City program staff at the Department of Health and Human Services administer ESG for the City.
ESG Projects are described as following:
Homeless Prevention - Monies for Homeless Prevention will be distributed directly to those in need by the SAFE City Program. Assistance activities under this category include defraying rent and/or utility arrearages for individuals and families that have received eviction or shut-off notices. Individuals or families may also received security deposits or first month's rent assistance to alleviate or prevent a homeless situation. The emphasis is to prevent individuals and/or families from becoming homeless due to a short-term, unanticipated reduction in income. This assistance is, generally, up to about $250, provided on one-time basis to prevent an eviction or utility shut-off. Additionally, this assistance is provided from October through March, or until the funds are exhausted. This program anticipates serving about 15 to 20 households per month for six months under this category. Applications for assistance under this category are accepted and screened for eligibility at the beginning of each month. During periods when funding is not available, households seeking assistance are referred to other programs/agencies and faith-based organizations which provide like services.
Essential Services - Monies for Essential Services will be distributed directly to those in need by the SAFE City Program. Activities include providing assistance to those who are homeless to secure permanent housing and maintain independent living. This objective is supported by providing security and utility deposits, transportation to alcohol detoxification and treatment, as well as to other health care, job training and employment opportunities. Applications for security and utility deposits are accepted and screened in the same manner as indicated above, however, in the case of Essential Services assistance, an applicant must provide documentation confirming or attest, through personnel statement, that they are in fact homeless. Transportation is provided via taxi vouchers through Bean's Cafe and Brother Francis shelter for accessing alcohol detoxification and treatment services. Additionally, this program purchases about $10,000 in bus tokens/passes which are distributed to Emergency Homeless Shelters and other community homeless service providers to assist homeless persons in obtaining health care, job skills and opportunities aimed at alleviating their homeless situation.
Administration - These funds, representing 5% or $4,000 of the $80,000 award, will be used to satisfy Municipal indirect costs generated by administering the Emergency Shelter Grant Program. Administrative costs include finance and accounting, payroll, purchasing, personnel, etc. The Emergency Shelter Grant is managed by the Department of Health and Human Services (SAFE City) program staff.
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