Grants for Homeless

Grants for homeless services fund shelters, permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, street outreach, and homelessness prevention programs. HUD's Continuum of Care program is the largest federal source, distributing over $3 billion annually. SAMHSA, FEMA, and private foundations provide additional funding for organizations serving people experiencing homelessness.

645 grants
Foundation
Updated daily
UNITED WAY OF THE WINE COUNTRY · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) Overview: To supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the North Bay, the National EFSP Board has chosen Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino Counties to…

United Way of Pueblo County · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) Program Background: Established in 1983, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program has provided $6.6 billion in federal funding to enable local social service…

HAWAII ISLAND UNITED WAY INC · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) Funder: Hawaii Island United Way Inc (Local Board administered by HIUW) Status: CURRENTLY ON HOLD Program Background: The Emergency Food and Shelter Program…

UNITED WAY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) Grant Funder: United Way of Cumberland County (UWCC) - administers on behalf of federal government Program Type: Federal program administered by the U.S.…

UNITED WAY OF LANCASTER COUNTY · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview _NOTE: Phase 41 EFSP Applications are CLOSED_**. ** Background The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) was created by Congress in 1983 to supplement and expand the work of local social…

Orange County's United Way · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Food & Shelter Program Funding Geographic Scope: Orange County, California Overview: Funding opportunity listed under Orange County United Way's Community Investments section for emergency…

BROWN COUNTY UNITED WAY · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Food & Shelter Program Grants Status: ACTIVE Funder: Brown County United Way Last Updated: October 23, 2025 Summary The Emergency Food & Shelter Program Grants, initiated in 1983, aim to…

UNITED WAY QUAD CITIES · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Emergency Food & Shelter Program Grants Funder: United Way Quad Cities Geographic Scope: Quad Cities (Scott and Rock Island counties) Overview: United Way Quad Cities administers grants through the…

UNITED WAY OF AIKEN COUNTY INC · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Emergency Food and Shelter Grant Funder: United Way of Aiken County Inc Geographic Scope: Aiken County, SC Overview: United Way of Aiken County administers the Emergency Food and Shelter Grant in…

UNITED WAY OF DESCHUTES COUNTY · Rolling / Open Foundation

Overview _NOTE: Federal EFSP funds are on hold. In January, the U.S. Office of Management & Budget (OMB) released a memo to federal agencies requiring a temporary pause on all activities related to…

UNITED WAY OF VENTURA COUNTY INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Food and Shelter Program Program Description: Funding available to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas throughout Ventura County Geographic Scope:…

UNITED WAY OF COWLITZ COUNTY · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Food and Shelter Program Funder: United Way of Cowlitz & Wahkiakum Counties Geographic Scope: Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties, WA Focus Area: Emergency assistance with food and shelter needs…

Varies by phase and applicant request
UNITED WAY OF WHITMAN COUNTY · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Funder: United Way of Whitman County (distributes federal funds) Funding Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security - National Emergency Food and Shelter…

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE VIRGIN · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Geographic Scope: U.S. Virgin Islands Overview: The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) serves as the administrator of the Emergency Food and…

UNITED WAY OF WEST ALABAMA INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Overview: A federal program governed by a National Board composed of representatives from American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, Jewish Federations of…

United Way of Greater Cleveland · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Overview: The EFSP was created in 1983 to supplement and expand the work of local social service agencies, both nonprofit and governmental, in an effort to…

Varies by year (e.g., $28,426 in 2019; $66,355 in 2020)
UNITED WAY OF 1000 LAKES · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Funder: United Way of 1000 Lakes (administers locally for Itasca County) Program Type: Federal emergency relief funding administered through the Department…

United Way of Acadiana Inc · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Food and Shelter Program Overview Program Name: EFSP (Emergency Food and Shelter Program) Description: The Emergency Food and Shelter Program was created by Congress to help meet the needs…

HEART OF KENTUCKY UNITED WAY INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Overview: Federal program established in 1983 by Congress to supplement local efforts providing emergency shelter and food to people in need. Geographic…

UNITED WAY OF SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS · Rolling / Open Foundation

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Overview: The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) is a federal grant created to supplement and expand the work of local social service agencies to help…

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Continuum of Care program?
HUD's Continuum of Care (CoC) program is the main federal funding source for homeless services, providing about $3.4 billion annually. CoC funds permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, transitional housing, and supportive services. Funding flows through local CoC collaborative applicants — usually a coalition of service providers in each community.
Can new organizations get homeless service grants?
Yes, though it can be challenging. New organizations should connect with their local Continuum of Care first. HUD's Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program is often more accessible for newer providers. State and foundation grants may have lower barriers to entry. Partnering with established organizations through sub-awards is another common path for new providers.
Are there grants for homelessness prevention?
Yes. The Emergency Solutions Grant program specifically funds homelessness prevention, including rental assistance and case management. HUD's Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) includes prevention funding. Many community foundations and United Ways fund prevention programs. FEMA's Emergency Food and Shelter Program also supports prevention services.

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