Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP)

Funder: Hawaii Island United Way Inc (Local Board administered by HIUW)

Program Background:
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program began in 1983 with a $50 million federal appropriation. The program was created by Congress to help meet the needs of hungry and homeless people throughout the United States and its territories by allocating federal funds for the provision of food and shelter. During its 40 years of operation, the program disbursed over $6.158 billion to over 14,000 local providers in more than 2,500 counties and cities.

National Governance:
The program is governed by a National Board composed of representatives of:

• American Red Cross
• Catholic Charities, USA
• The Jewish Federations of North America
• National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
• The Salvation Army
• United Way Worldwide

EFSP Guiding Principles:

• Efficiency — fiscal administration, reporting and procedural guidance to Local Boards and LROs
• Accountability — good steward of taxpayers' dollars through reasonable oversight and transparency
• Responsiveness — prioritize the allocation of supplemental funds to the neediest areas in the nation
• Partnership — promote and strengthen collaboration between non-profit organizations and public sector
• Facilitating — maximizing appropriate local decision-making through clear guidance and training

Allowable Uses of Funds:

• Food, in the form of served meals or groceries
• Lodging in a mass shelter or hotel/motel
• Rent or mortgage payment(s), up to 90 days
• Utility bill(s), up to 90 days
• Equipment necessary to feed or shelter people, up to a $300 limit per item

Eligible Applicants:
When a jurisdiction is funded, local organizations may apply, whether:

• Nonprofit organizations
• Faith-based organizations
• Governmental organizations

Local Board:
Hawaiʻi Island has a local board administered by the Hawaii Island United Way. This local board is made up of local representatives from the governing agencies listed above.

Application Process

Application Requirements:
When a jurisdiction is funded, the Local Board must advertise the availability of funds. The Local Board is responsible for:

• Considering all applications
• Determining which organizations will receive funds
• Determining which services are funded

Note: There is no national application process. Applications are handled at the local level when funding becomes available.

Required Materials:

• EFSP Phase 42 Application Package Requirements
• Manual
• Required Forms
• Program Costs documentation

Status: Program is currently on hold. Applicants should contact the local board for more information about when the next funding cycle will be available.