Emergency Shelter Assistance Program (ESAP)
The state Emergency Shelter Assistance Program (ESAP) supports a network of approximately 200 community-based shelters statewide that provide a safe, warm and dry place for homeless families and individuals to stay. In addition, local service networks, coordinated by an ESAP lead agency, work together to ensure that not only shelter but housing and extended services are available to help homeless people rebuild their lives.
The Emergency Shelter Assistance Program will distribute approximately $10 million of state General Funds during the 2007-2009 biennium to community-based organizations in the 39 counties to provide emergency shelter and homelessness prevention services. State funds are matched by community resources. State resources are supplemented by $2 million of Federal Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) Program funding the state receives to assist rural areas.
Fifty percent of the state funds are dedicated to serving families with children who are homeless or at immediate risk of becoming homeless.
During state fiscal year 2007, organizations receiving state ESAP funds:
Sheltered 49,477 individuals in 36,950 households
Provided more than 276,939 bednights of shelter
Provided 53,391 individuals in 33,817 households with prevention services
People receiving the services funded by ESAP can receive up to 90 days of assistance in the form of:
Emergency shelter
Rent or mortgage assistance to prevent eviction or foreclosure
First months rent and deposit to move out of shelter into housing
Landlord-tenant mediation
Housing related case management services
The program supports the ongoing operation and maintenance expenses of shelter
throughout the state.
Statement of Need
In state fiscal year 2007, there were 167,405 individuals in 82,208 households turned away from emergency shelter services in Washington State. Of those turned away, 42,227 were households with children. The high cost of housing combined with low incomes continues to push many of Washington’s families into homelessness.
Statutory Authority
Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) Program
The Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) program provides funding to 35 rural and non-urban counties to support the operating costs of shelters and transitional housing and to provide supportive services for people who are homeless.
During the state fiscal year 2006, organizations receiving funds:
Provided shelter services to 11,029 adults and 6,035 children.
ESG funds can be used for operating costs of shelters, including maintenance and repair, insurance, food, utilities, fuel and furnishings. Services concerned with employment, health, substance abuse and education are also eligible.
Statutory Authority
ESG is a federally funded program authorized under the provisions of the Stewart B. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
Helpful Links
ESAP Forms
ESAP Client Characteristics Report Form
ESAP Client Characteristics Report INSTRUCTIONS
ESAP Year-End Report Form
ESAP Invoice Template
ESAP Guidelines
ESAP Signature Authority Form
ESG Forms
ESG Client Data Form
ESG INSTRUCTIONS For Client Data Form
ESG Invoice Template
ESG Guidelines
ESG Signature Authority Form
ESG 2008-2009 Application
ESG 2008-2009 Estimated Funding
Contact Information
For more information about CTED's emergency shelter programs, contact Kathy Giglio.
Kathy Giglio, Program Manager
906 Columbia St SW
P O Box 42525
Olympia, WA 98504-2525
Telephone: 360/725.2939
Fax: 360/586.5880
Partner
The Washington State Coalition for the Homeless
Mailing address:
PO Box 7436
Tacoma, WA 98417-0436
Phone: 253-761-7446
Fax: 253-761-7436
Web: www.endhomelessnesswa.org
Executive Director: Mia Navarro-Wells
Street Address:
1502 South Union Ave. Suite 3
Tacoma, WA 98405