2026 EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT

Application Overview

This program is funded and regulated at the federal level by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered locally by the Cobb County CDBG Program Office. It is authorized under the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009 (HEARTH Act). 

Annually, the Cobb County CDBG Program Office requests proposals from local non-profit organizations and government entities to carry out eligible activities in the County. This funding application is for the period beginning January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. 

A Selection Committee will review all applications for compliance with requirements and make funding recommendations to the Cobb County Board of Commissioners (BOC) during November.

The primary objective of the ESG Program is to assist people in quickly regaining stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis and/or homelessness, through the following services:

• Emergency Shelter is defined as any facility, where the primary purpose is to provide a temporary shelter for those individuals or households experiencing homelessness and which does not require occupants to sign leases or occupancy agreements. Emergency shelters provide a maximum 90-day project model for drop-in shelters or continuous stay shelters. To the extent practicable, participants will be assisted in obtaining housing within 20 days of entry regardless of the type of emergency shelter. However, participants may stay longer in order to prevent them from becoming homeless, on the streets, or other places not meant for human habitation. All ESG funded shelters must strive to reduce the average length of stay. Emergency shelter assistance must be available and accessible to persons County-wide.
• Rapid Re-housing quickly moves households from homelessness into permanent housing by providing move-in assistance, temporary rent assistance, and housing search/stability services. The services are time-limited and the household does not have to leave when services end. Individuals or households receiving this funding must have an income level at or below 50% AMI. Enrollment in a rapid re-housing project should rely heavily on a guided case management plan to ensure long term stability for project participants.
• Street Outreach is defined as providing essential services necessary to reach out to unsheltered homeless people to connect them with emergency shelter, housing, or critical services; and provide urgent, non facility-based care to unsheltered homeless people who are unwilling or unable to access emergency shelter, housing, or an appropriate health facility. Unsheltered homeless people are those individuals and families who qualify as homeless under paragraph (1)(i) of the “homeless” definition in 24 CFR §576.2.
• Homeless Prevention services are most efficiently used when targeted to those at greatest risk of losing housing due to an eviction notice. Households receiving this funding must have an income level below 30% AMI, must demonstrate that they do not have sufficient resources or support networks to prevent them from moving to an emergency shelter or other place defined under Category 1 of the homeless definition.

All Homelessness Prevention must serve clients with incomes below 30% Area Median Income (AMI). All Rapid Re-Housing Programs must serve clients with incomes below 50% AMI.

2024 ESG MAXIMUM HOUSEHOLD INCOME LIMITS
Effective: June 1, 2024

Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) www.huduser.gov

All ESG funded agencies are required to participate in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Client Track.

2026 Grant Allocation Funding Priorities

In 2024, the Cobb County CDBG Program Office conducted a Strategic Plan Assessment for Cobb County. This document is a compilation of preplanning surveys and data analysis gathered from local nonprofit organizations, tri-partite board and CDBG Program Office staff. The results of the surveys formed the foundation for the following goals, outcomes and strategies as listed in the Plan. 

Housing insecurity is a pervasive issue in the region, with 72,310 families, or 24.83% of the population, spending more than 30% of their income on rent, mortgage, and utilities, making them housing cost-burdened. Renters are impacted with nearly half (41.89%) being cost burdened compared to 16.24% of homeowners. As reflected in the Strategic Plan, mental health concerns are also growing, with 14% of residents experiencing frequent distress, and the prevalence of serious mental illness and suicidal thoughts rising in recent years.

The following barriers were identified in the 2024 Strategic Plan:

1. Employment and Education: Youth and Individuals lack the skills and qualifications needed to secure meaningful employment. 
2. Income Inequality: Individuals and Seniors lack adequate income to meet basic household needs
3. Substance Abuse: Individuals are addicted to unhealthy substances
4. Domestic Violence and Unsafe Living Conditions: Individuals and children are living in unsafe home environments
5. Homelessness: Cobb County faces a homelessness crisis, with 451 individuals identified as homeless, including veterans and those chronically homeless. The rising cost of housing and limited affordable units contribute to this issue.
6. Housing Insecurity: Over 24% of households in Cobb County are housing cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing. Renters are especially affected, leading to financial instability and an increased risk of homelessness.
7. Mental Health Issues: Individuals have poor mental health 

As a result of these identified barriers in the County’s 2024 Strategic Plan, the Cobb County CDBG Program Office has developed funding allocation priorities for the County’s 2026 HUD grant application cycle.