The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program in Arkansas is a vital federally funded initiative aimed at addressing homelessness and housing instability across the state. By offering a wide array of services—ranging from emergency shelter to homelessness prevention—the ESG program helps individuals and families overcome immediate crises and move toward long-term housing security.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), this program is part of a nationwide strategy to reduce homelessness by focusing on both prevention and rapid re-housing. In Arkansas, it is administered by the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA), which works closely with non-profit organizations, community partners, and local service providers.
Key Components and Services of the ESG Program
The ESG Program in Arkansas offers a comprehensive set of services designed to meet people where they are in their housing journey. These components are strategically structured to address both the causes and effects of homelessness.
Street Outreach
This component focuses on engaging individuals and families living in places not meant for human habitation—such as streets, parks, or abandoned buildings.
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Purpose: The goal is to build trust and connect these individuals to housing and supportive services.
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Services Offered: Outreach teams often provide hygiene kits, referrals to shelters, mental health assessments, and connections to long-term housing solutions.
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Impact: Effective street outreach serves as the critical first step in transitioning people from chronic homelessness to stability.
Examples of organizations involved in outreach include local Continuums of Care (CoCs), which coordinate services at the regional level.
Emergency Shelter
Emergency shelters offer immediate, temporary housing for people experiencing homelessness.
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Facility Access: These shelters ensure a safe and sanitary environment for individuals and families in crisis.
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Support Services: Residents typically have access to meals, showers, case management, and housing navigation services.
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Bridge to Housing: The shelters act as a bridge to permanent housing by preparing residents to transition to more stable living conditions.
Programs like those run by Our House in Little Rock and The Salvation Army of Arkansas exemplify the role of shelters in supporting ESG objectives.
Homelessness Prevention
This proactive service aims to stop homelessness before it begins.
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Who It Helps: Households facing eviction, sudden loss of income, or other housing-related emergencies.
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Types of Assistance: Financial help with rent or utilities, legal assistance, housing counseling, and individualized case management.
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Long-Term Value: Prevention is significantly more cost-effective than emergency services and reduces the trauma associated with homelessness.
Many ESG sub-recipients work in collaboration with legal aid groups such as Legal Aid of Arkansas and community action agencies across the state.
Rapid Re-Housing
Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) helps people quickly exit homelessness and return to permanent housing.
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Support Provided: Includes short-term rental assistance (up to three months), utility deposits, security deposits, and intensive case management.
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Focus on Stability: The model emphasizes housing first, followed by support to sustain tenancy.
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Results-Oriented: According to HUD, RRH has a high success rate in preventing returns to homelessness when combined with wraparound services.
A notable example is Community Action Program for Central Arkansas (CAPCA), which provides both housing support and financial literacy resources.
Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
The HMIS is a centralized data system that collects and analyzes information about the homeless population and the services they receive.
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Purpose: Enhances service coordination, improves accountability, and helps identify community needs.
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Arkansas Participation: Funded ESG providers in Arkansas are required to contribute data to HMIS, which helps track outcomes and inform state-level decision-making.
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Data-Driven Solutions: HMIS plays a key role in identifying trends and allocating resources efficiently.
HMIS in Arkansas is supported by local CoCs and managed in part by agencies like Partners for Inclusive Communities.
Eligibility and Program Administration
The ESG Program in Arkansas is not directly available to individuals. Instead, it is administered through qualified service providers who apply for funding and implement the program at the local level.
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Administered By: Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA)
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Eligible Applicants: Non-profit organizations, units of general local government, and other qualified entities.
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Funding Use: Grants can be applied toward the five core components and administrative expenses (capped at 7.5% of total funding).
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Application Process: Interested entities apply via the ADFA Programs Portal, where they can also find guides, forms, and application tracking tools.
According to HUD guidelines, priority is often given to applicants demonstrating a strong community partnership, measurable outcomes, and alignment with local Continuum of Care (CoC) goals.
Strategic Goals of the ESG Program in Arkansas
The ESG Program operates with clear, strategic objectives aligned with both federal policy and the unique needs of Arkansas communities. These goals guide the implementation and measurement of success.
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Prevent Homelessness: Mitigate housing crises before they escalate, especially among at-risk populations such as veterans, seniors, and low-income families.
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Rapid Re-Housing: Quickly stabilize those who have recently lost housing to minimize their time in shelters or on the streets.
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Enhance Emergency Shelter Services: Improve shelter conditions, capacity, and the quality of support services offered.
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Deliver Essential Services: Provide comprehensive, person-centered care including mental health services, job placement, and life skills training.
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Improve Data Systems: Strengthen data collection through HMIS for better service delivery, transparency, and resource allocation.
Why the ESG Program Matters in Arkansas
Homelessness remains a pressing issue in Arkansas, especially in urban areas like Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Fayetteville. According to the 2023 Point-In-Time Count, over 2,500 Arkansans experienced homelessness on a single night, and roughly 30% were unsheltered.
Programs like ESG are critical in reducing these numbers by focusing on both immediate relief and long-term housing outcomes. By leveraging federal funding and community collaboration, ESG creates a sustainable path forward for some of the state’s most vulnerable residents.
Next Steps: How Communities Can Engage with ESG in Arkansas
If you’re a community leader, nonprofit, or advocate looking to get involved or benefit from the ESG program, here are actionable steps you can take:
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Nonprofits Should Apply for ESG Funds
Visit the ADFA ESG Portal to review funding opportunities and submit an application. -
Connect with Local CoCs
Join your local Continuum of Care network to coordinate services and strengthen your grant application. -
Educate At-Risk Households
Raise awareness in your community about available ESG services such as eviction prevention and utility assistance. -
Invest in HMIS Participation
If you’re a service provider, ensure your data is entered into HMIS to improve service coordination and eligibility for future funding. -
Support Street Outreach Programs
Volunteers and donations can help outreach teams better serve unsheltered individuals with resources and referrals.
Jensen Patrick, a 39-year-old housing and rental assistance specialist, was born and raised in the small town of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He pursued his education in Social Policy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he became deeply interested in the intricacies of housing laws and their impact on communities. Jensen has spent nearly fifteen years working in various capacities within local government in Wisconsin, developing and implementing programs that support affordable housing and prevent homelessness. His work has earned him recognition as a practical and compassionate advocate for underprivileged populations. Outside of his professional life, Jensen is an avid fisherman and enjoys weekend trips to the Great Lakes with his wife and twin daughters, where they teach the girls the value of conservation and enjoying nature.