EFSP Phase 41 Application
Emergency Food & Shelter Program
Clark County, Nevada
Phase 41 FUNDING PERIOD/ELIGIBLE EXPENSES:
October 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024
Deadline: March 15, 2024 (5:00 PM PST)
If you have questions relating to this application process, please address them in emails to efsp@uwsn.org (NOTE: Applications submitted after the deadline and/or incomplete applications will NOT be accepted or reviewed. There will be no exceptions)
Background
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program was created with a $50 million federal appropriation in 1983. 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. This collaborative effort between the private and public sectors has provided over $6 billion in Federal funds during its 41-year history.
The program is governed by a National Board composed of representatives of the American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; United Jewish Communities; The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; The Salvation Army; and United Way of America. The Board is chaired by a representative of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
In FY 2023, FEMA awarded to the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) National Board the $130 million made available under the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. No. 117-328). This $130 million supports Phase 41.
EFSP Phase 41 has allocated $1,488,327 for emergency food, shelter, and utility assistance in Clark County, Nevada. Read more to find out how to apply.
Objectives
The original authorizing legislation (PL 100-77) specifically calls for “sensitivity to the transition from temporary shelter to permanent homes and attention to the specialized needs of homeless individuals with mental and physical disabilities and illness and to facilitate access for homeless individuals to other sources of services and benefits.”
Also in accordance with the legislation, the National Board encourages Local Boards, the decision-making local bodies, to place special emphasis on the identification of and assistance to the elderly, families with children, Native Americans and veterans.
Local Board Foundational Statements
- It is our fiduciary responsibility to timely disburse these dollars to the community through organizations that have existing programs and that we believe, through our application process, have both the capacity and ability to timely, efficiently and effectively use these funds.
- Among other things, a duty of our Local Board is to ensure enhanced collaboration among community resources.
- It is our belief that LROs should utilize EFSP funding to obtain optimal buying power for the services provided.
Local Funding Priorities
The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board mandate that Local Boards must set funding priorities annually prior to the selection of agencies for funding. As a result, funding will be focused to address these needs in the areas of emergency food and shelter. The following are additional priorities for the Local Board:
1. Serve a geographically diverse area of Clark County
The Local Board will look to provide funding to organizations that provide services throughout the County, so that as many citizens as possible have access to EFSP funds. We encourage organizations to apply that serve county-wide and especially those that are located in an underserved community or neighborhood, as evidenced by local research. Funded organizations will be required to serve ALL eligible individuals/families in the geographic region and may not limit assistance to specific populations.
2. Serve a range of populations that are most in need
While there are no minimum income requirements set for clients to access these funds, the Local Board is seeking to provide assistance to those most in need, especially those finding themselves in situations with which they have not encountered previously.
This will include:
- Families and individuals newly experiencing unemployment and financial instability;
- Seniors (60+) who are on fixed incomes or experiencing added financial burdens of guardianship of grandchildren or other strains;
- Physically or mentally disabled individuals or families with disabled members;
- Veterans;
- Native Americans; and
- Transitional-aged youth (18-24 yrs.) who are unaccompanied and/or just moved out of the foster care system.
3. Provide most needed services addressing eligible categories
In order to create the most benefit for the community, the Local Board commits to funding gaps in community needs in the category of Shelter services. In addition, the Local Board seeks to equitably fund as much food, shelter, rent/mortgage and utility assistance as demonstrated in applications in order to meet the current need in our community.
4. Leverage Optimal Buying Power with funds
Each LRO shall leverage their buying power for the purchase of the items needed. It is an obligation of the receiving LROs to make these dollars benefit as many in the community as possible as the Local Board has fewer dollars available to allocate. The Local Board requires that each LRO provide evidence that they have achieved optimal buying power. This again requires the LROs to look to optimize services versus only provision of service.
Eligibility Guidelines by Program
The EFSP is a needs-based program, for which clients must qualify. The National Board does not set client eligibility criteria. The Clark County Local Board has set such criteria (see the chart, below). This criteria used must provide for assistance to needy individuals without discrimination (age, race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, economic status or sexual orientation), sensitivity to the transition from temporary shelter to permanent homes and attention to the specialized needs of homeless individuals with behavioral health, physical disabilities and/or illness and to facilitate access for homeless individuals to other sources of services and benefits. In providing assistance under the EFSP, verification of proof of citizenship or qualified alien status of any applicant for assistance is not required. Note: Funds allocated to a jurisdiction can only be used for permanent residents and transients within that jurisdiction.
Eligible Programs
Applicants can apply for costs associated with food programs (served meals programs, bagged grocery programs, and/or food voucher programs), shelter, motel voucher programs and utility/rental assistance programs. Listed below is a brief description of each eligible funding category.
CATEGORY | SAMPLE ELIGIBLE ITEMS | SAMPLE INELIGIBLE ITEMS | ||
CONGREGATE (SERVED) MEALS | Any food used in served meals (cold or hot); costs of transporting food to site or client; daily per meal schedule ($3/meal). | Any items not related to actual feeding of a client. Excessive meal costs. Excessive snack food items. Staff events/ functions. | ||
OTHER FOOD | Food vouchers, food boxes, grocery orders, restaurant vouchers, etc., food purchased for food banks and/or food pantries, vouchers, gift certificates ( limited), diapers, feminine hygiene products (only non-food items allowed). | Tobacco, alcohol, paper products. Any non-food item. Excessive meal costs. Excessive snack food items. Staff events/functions. | ||
MASS SHELTER | Direct expenses associated with housing a client (e.g., supplies, linens, etc.); transportation costs; daily per diem schedule up to $12.50. | Year-round ongoing operational costs (rent, pest control, garbage pick-up, utilities); salaries of employees. | ||
HOTEL/MOTEL (OTHER) SHELTER | Any reasonable hotel/motel or non-profit facility acting as a vendor; SRO; actual charge by vendor, per night; 90 day limit. | An LRO receiving funds may not act as a vendor for themselves or another funded LRO. Stay beyond 90 days per phase. Prepayments for hotel/motel. | ||
CATEGORY | SAMPLE ELIGIBLE ITEMS | SAMPLE INELIGIBLE ITEMS | ||
RENT/MORTGAGE | Past due rent or mortgage payment (P&I only); current rent or mortgage due within 10 calendar days; first month's rent; lot fee for mobile homes. Limited to three months cost for an individual/family. (Must verify in HMIS.) | Payment for rent/mortgage exceeding three months cost; deposits; down-payment for purchase of home; late fees; legal fees; taxes, insurance & escrow accounts. | ||
UTILITIES | Past due bills, or current bills due within 10 calendar days, for gas, electricity, oil, water; reconnect fees. May pay budgeted or actual amount. Limited to three month’s amount that is part of the arrearage at the time of payment or current one month amount. (Must verify in HMIS.) One-time delivery of firewood, coal, propane. | Payments for utilities exceeding three months cost; deposits; cable, or satellite TV bills; phone bills; internet service; late fees. | ||
SUPPLIES/ EQUIPMENT | $300 per item maximum Mass feeding: pots, pans, toasters, blenders, microwave, utensils, paper products, any item essential to the preparation of food, shelving. | Decorative curtains, carpet, clothing, TVs, computer systems, office equipment, bedroom furniture other than beds (nightstand, lamps, etc.). | ||
Mass shelter: cots, blankets, pillows, toilet paper, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, cleaning materials, limited first-aid supplies, underwear/diapers. Emergency repair of essential small equipment ($300 limit for both mass feeding and mass shelter.) | ||||
Criteria | Bulk Food/Diapers/Feminine Hygiene Products | Rent/Mortgage & Utilities | ||
Identification | Current NV ID or currently registered in HMIS, or proof of application for new NV ID | Current NV ID or proof of application for new NV ID or currently registered in HMIS | ||
Proof of residency | Mail less than 30 days old; utility bill, insurance, etc. | Current utility bill, mortgage statement or lease signed at least 3 months prior | ||
Evidence of need | Client – verbal; and LRO must verify recipient has capacity to store & prepare food at place of residence | Whichever is applicable among: disconnection notice; 5 Day late notice; bank notice; AND evidence of emergency or inability to pay. | ||
Instructions for Proposal Submission
- Applications (or applicants) that do not meet ALL of the program requirements on the RFP or do not submit ALL the necessary documentation will not be accepted or reviewed. (THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS.)
- The intent of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program is to supplement and expand current available resources and not to substitute or reimburse ongoing programs and services or to start new programs. Other funding sources must be in place for the program for which you are applying and must be reported below. If no current program funding is reported on the form below, this application will be automatically denied. Applicants may not request more than 50% of a total program budget.
- All applications must have the necessary physical signatures.
- If you have previously submitted the requested attachments for another program or funding process at United Way of Southern Nevada, you still must attach the requested item to the EFSP Proposal.
- All proposals must be submitted via SurveyMonkey Apply by the deadline of February 23, 2024 at 5pm (Pacific Time). There will be no time extension for the deadline.
- Proposals submitted via email, USPS, or hand delivered to UWSN will not be accepted.
- Agencies are encouraged to submit their proposals prior to the deadline with the understanding that they will not be reviewed until after the deadline when all proposals have been received.
- Proposals should take into consideration the amount of funding needed to meet EFSP guidelines to operate the programs and not the amount that may or may not be in the funding pool. Please consider your agency’s capacity when making a funding request, as funds may not be used for administrative expenses.
- Agencies are to submit one application per program category requested of these categories: food services; shelter services; and utilities. More than one program within each category may be included in your request.
EFSP - Phase 41 (Emergency Food and Shelter Program)
EFSP Phase 41 Application
Emergency Food & Shelter Program
Clark County, Nevada
Phase 41 FUNDING PERIOD/ELIGIBLE EXPENSES:
October 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024
Deadline: March 15, 2024 (5:00 PM PST)
If you have questions relating to this application process, please address them in emails to efsp@uwsn.org (NOTE: Applications submitted after the deadline and/or incomplete applications will NOT be accepted or reviewed. There will be no exceptions)
Background
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program was created with a $50 million federal appropriation in 1983. 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. This collaborative effort between the private and public sectors has provided over $6 billion in Federal funds during its 41-year history.
The program is governed by a National Board composed of representatives of the American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; United Jewish Communities; The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; The Salvation Army; and United Way of America. The Board is chaired by a representative of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
In FY 2023, FEMA awarded to the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) National Board the $130 million made available under the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. No. 117-328). This $130 million supports Phase 41.
EFSP Phase 41 has allocated $1,488,327 for emergency food, shelter, and utility assistance in Clark County, Nevada. Read more to find out how to apply.
Objectives
The original authorizing legislation (PL 100-77) specifically calls for “sensitivity to the transition from temporary shelter to permanent homes and attention to the specialized needs of homeless individuals with mental and physical disabilities and illness and to facilitate access for homeless individuals to other sources of services and benefits.”
Also in accordance with the legislation, the National Board encourages Local Boards, the decision-making local bodies, to place special emphasis on the identification of and assistance to the elderly, families with children, Native Americans and veterans.
Local Board Foundational Statements
- It is our fiduciary responsibility to timely disburse these dollars to the community through organizations that have existing programs and that we believe, through our application process, have both the capacity and ability to timely, efficiently and effectively use these funds.
- Among other things, a duty of our Local Board is to ensure enhanced collaboration among community resources.
- It is our belief that LROs should utilize EFSP funding to obtain optimal buying power for the services provided.
Local Funding Priorities
The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board mandate that Local Boards must set funding priorities annually prior to the selection of agencies for funding. As a result, funding will be focused to address these needs in the areas of emergency food and shelter. The following are additional priorities for the Local Board:
1. Serve a geographically diverse area of Clark County
The Local Board will look to provide funding to organizations that provide services throughout the County, so that as many citizens as possible have access to EFSP funds. We encourage organizations to apply that serve county-wide and especially those that are located in an underserved community or neighborhood, as evidenced by local research. Funded organizations will be required to serve ALL eligible individuals/families in the geographic region and may not limit assistance to specific populations.
2. Serve a range of populations that are most in need
While there are no minimum income requirements set for clients to access these funds, the Local Board is seeking to provide assistance to those most in need, especially those finding themselves in situations with which they have not encountered previously.
This will include:
- Families and individuals newly experiencing unemployment and financial instability;
- Seniors (60+) who are on fixed incomes or experiencing added financial burdens of guardianship of grandchildren or other strains;
- Physically or mentally disabled individuals or families with disabled members;
- Veterans;
- Native Americans; and
- Transitional-aged youth (18-24 yrs.) who are unaccompanied and/or just moved out of the foster care system.
3. Provide most needed services addressing eligible categories
In order to create the most benefit for the community, the Local Board commits to funding gaps in community needs in the category of Shelter services. In addition, the Local Board seeks to equitably fund as much food, shelter, rent/mortgage and utility assistance as demonstrated in applications in order to meet the current need in our community.
4. Leverage Optimal Buying Power with funds
Each LRO shall leverage their buying power for the purchase of the items needed. It is an obligation of the receiving LROs to make these dollars benefit as many in the community as possible as the Local Board has fewer dollars available to allocate. The Local Board requires that each LRO provide evidence that they have achieved optimal buying power. This again requires the LROs to look to optimize services versus only provision of service.
Eligibility Guidelines by Program
The EFSP is a needs-based program, for which clients must qualify. The National Board does not set client eligibility criteria. The Clark County Local Board has set such criteria (see the chart, below). This criteria used must provide for assistance to needy individuals without discrimination (age, race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, economic status or sexual orientation), sensitivity to the transition from temporary shelter to permanent homes and attention to the specialized needs of homeless individuals with behavioral health, physical disabilities and/or illness and to facilitate access for homeless individuals to other sources of services and benefits. In providing assistance under the EFSP, verification of proof of citizenship or qualified alien status of any applicant for assistance is not required. Note: Funds allocated to a jurisdiction can only be used for permanent residents and transients within that jurisdiction.
Eligible Programs
Applicants can apply for costs associated with food programs (served meals programs, bagged grocery programs, and/or food voucher programs), shelter, motel voucher programs and utility/rental assistance programs. Listed below is a brief description of each eligible funding category.
CATEGORY | SAMPLE ELIGIBLE ITEMS | SAMPLE INELIGIBLE ITEMS | ||
CONGREGATE (SERVED) MEALS | Any food used in served meals (cold or hot); costs of transporting food to site or client; daily per meal schedule ($3/meal). | Any items not related to actual feeding of a client. Excessive meal costs. Excessive snack food items. Staff events/ functions. | ||
OTHER FOOD | Food vouchers, food boxes, grocery orders, restaurant vouchers, etc., food purchased for food banks and/or food pantries, vouchers, gift certificates ( limited), diapers, feminine hygiene products (only non-food items allowed). | Tobacco, alcohol, paper products. Any non-food item. Excessive meal costs. Excessive snack food items. Staff events/functions. | ||
MASS SHELTER | Direct expenses associated with housing a client (e.g., supplies, linens, etc.); transportation costs; daily per diem schedule up to $12.50. | Year-round ongoing operational costs (rent, pest control, garbage pick-up, utilities); salaries of employees. | ||
HOTEL/MOTEL (OTHER) SHELTER | Any reasonable hotel/motel or non-profit facility acting as a vendor; SRO; actual charge by vendor, per night; 90 day limit. | An LRO receiving funds may not act as a vendor for themselves or another funded LRO. Stay beyond 90 days per phase. Prepayments for hotel/motel. | ||
CATEGORY | SAMPLE ELIGIBLE ITEMS | SAMPLE INELIGIBLE ITEMS | ||
RENT/MORTGAGE | Past due rent or mortgage payment (P&I only); current rent or mortgage due within 10 calendar days; first month's rent; lot fee for mobile homes. Limited to three months cost for an individual/family. (Must verify in HMIS.) | Payment for rent/mortgage exceeding three months cost; deposits; down-payment for purchase of home; late fees; legal fees; taxes, insurance & escrow accounts. | ||
UTILITIES | Past due bills, or current bills due within 10 calendar days, for gas, electricity, oil, water; reconnect fees. May pay budgeted or actual amount. Limited to three month’s amount that is part of the arrearage at the time of payment or current one month amount. (Must verify in HMIS.) One-time delivery of firewood, coal, propane. | Payments for utilities exceeding three months cost; deposits; cable, or satellite TV bills; phone bills; internet service; late fees. | ||
SUPPLIES/ EQUIPMENT | $300 per item maximum Mass feeding: pots, pans, toasters, blenders, microwave, utensils, paper products, any item essential to the preparation of food, shelving. | Decorative curtains, carpet, clothing, TVs, computer systems, office equipment, bedroom furniture other than beds (nightstand, lamps, etc.). | ||
Mass shelter: cots, blankets, pillows, toilet paper, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, cleaning materials, limited first-aid supplies, underwear/diapers. Emergency repair of essential small equipment ($300 limit for both mass feeding and mass shelter.) | ||||
Criteria | Bulk Food/Diapers/Feminine Hygiene Products | Rent/Mortgage & Utilities | ||
Identification | Current NV ID or currently registered in HMIS, or proof of application for new NV ID | Current NV ID or proof of application for new NV ID or currently registered in HMIS | ||
Proof of residency | Mail less than 30 days old; utility bill, insurance, etc. | Current utility bill, mortgage statement or lease signed at least 3 months prior | ||
Evidence of need | Client – verbal; and LRO must verify recipient has capacity to store & prepare food at place of residence | Whichever is applicable among: disconnection notice; 5 Day late notice; bank notice; AND evidence of emergency or inability to pay. | ||
Instructions for Proposal Submission
- Applications (or applicants) that do not meet ALL of the program requirements on the RFP or do not submit ALL the necessary documentation will not be accepted or reviewed. (THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS.)
- The intent of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program is to supplement and expand current available resources and not to substitute or reimburse ongoing programs and services or to start new programs. Other funding sources must be in place for the program for which you are applying and must be reported below. If no current program funding is reported on the form below, this application will be automatically denied. Applicants may not request more than 50% of a total program budget.
- All applications must have the necessary physical signatures.
- If you have previously submitted the requested attachments for another program or funding process at United Way of Southern Nevada, you still must attach the requested item to the EFSP Proposal.
- All proposals must be submitted via SurveyMonkey Apply by the deadline of February 23, 2024 at 5pm (Pacific Time). There will be no time extension for the deadline.
- Proposals submitted via email, USPS, or hand delivered to UWSN will not be accepted.
- Agencies are encouraged to submit their proposals prior to the deadline with the understanding that they will not be reviewed until after the deadline when all proposals have been received.
- Proposals should take into consideration the amount of funding needed to meet EFSP guidelines to operate the programs and not the amount that may or may not be in the funding pool. Please consider your agency’s capacity when making a funding request, as funds may not be used for administrative expenses.
- Agencies are to submit one application per program category requested of these categories: food services; shelter services; and utilities. More than one program within each category may be included in your request.