Encampment Resolution Funding Program, Round 1

Successful grantees will design a demonstration project that builds capacity to provide relevant and responsive services to individuals experiencing homelessness in encampments. The project will support cross-systems collaboration and service strategies to help people experiencing homelessness transition out of encampments toward safe and stable housing pathways. Activities will also support efforts to restore encampment sites to their original state and intended purposes, but must prioritize protecting the health, safety, and well-being of the individuals who had been living in the encampments. ERF Program activities must comply with Housing First and Homeless Data Integration System (HDIS) data submission requirements. Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) section 8256, all recipients of ERF funding shall comply with the core components of Housing First, as defined in WIC section 8255. ERF grant recipients must participate in the statewide HDIS by entering data and information regarding individuals served by this funding, and services and housing options provided, into their local Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Grant funds may be used for activities that advance the goal of the proposed project in any one of the following categories: Direct Services and Housing Options: activities to address immediate crisis needs and paths towards safe and stable housing for people living in encampments including, but not limited to, street outreach and engagement, housing and/or systems navigation, interim housing, and permanent housing. Capacity Building:  activities to enhance the systems carrying out the demonstration project including, but not limited to, service coordination efforts, establishing and strengthening cross-system partnerships, and workforce development including specialized training and contracting with providers of culturally specific interventions. Sustainable Outcomes: activities and interventions to ensure sustained outcomes for the people served and to support sustained restoration of encampment sites to their intended or original state. Administration: up to 5% of grant funds may be applied to administrative costs. Each application must focus on one encampment site; however, the encampment site may be broadly defined. The Application must identify the number and demographics of individuals living in the encampment site who will be served through this program and how outcomes for those individuals will be tracked. This grant is not intended to be the sole funding source for a new encampment resolution project. Grant funding should be used to accelerate promising programs and practices that are in development and enhance partnerships and leverage other resources. Applications are required to include the following parts in a Work Plan: Implementation Unit Structure and Capacity; Prioritized Encampment Site and Population to be Served; Core Service Delivery and Provision of Housing Options; Coordination of Services and Housing Options; Ensuring Dignity, Safety, and Wellness; Personnel; Proposed Budget and Fiscal Planning, including two Letters of Commitment or Intent.