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Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) is sponsored by Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The EFSP provides federal funding to expand the capacity of food, shelter, and rent/utilities assistance programs in high-need areas. Funds are distributed through a National Board (chaired by FEMA) to local boards, which then allocate funds to local service agencies.
Funds can be used for served meals or groceries, and equipment necessary to feed or shelter people (up to $300 limit per item). The application period is currently paused, but typically has a February deadline.
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Emergency Food and Shelter Program | FEMA. gov Emergency Food and Shelter Program The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) is a FEMA-funded program authorized by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987.
The program supplements and expands ongoing work of local nonprofit and governmental social service organizations to provide shelter, food and supportive services to individuals and families who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, hunger and/or homelessness.
The program may also receive funding to award to the National Board for distribution to local social service organizations that provide humanitarian relief to families and individuals encountered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). FEMA has published the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 funding opportunity for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Learn more on Grants.
gov . By statute, the EFSP National Board is the sole recipient of EFSP grant funds and establishes the program’s policies, procedures and guidelines. Regular EFSP in Assisting People Nationwide The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) National Board allocates funding to jurisdictions (counties and cities) around the country.
These funds support local social service organizations dedicated to feeding, sheltering and providing critical resources to people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness or hunger. These funds are for people with non-disaster related emergencies and can be used for a broad range of services.
The EFSP National Board allocates funds to local boards in qualifying jurisdictions using the most recent national population, unemployment and poverty data. Local boards then advertise the availability of grant funding in their communities, review applications and award grants to organizations that provide services to those in need. Services can include: Food, in the form of served meals or groceries.
Lodging in a mass shelter or hotel. Rental or mortgage assistance to prevent evictions. Utility payment to prevent service cut-offs.
Transportation costs associated with the provision of food or shelter. Supplies and equipment necessary to feed or shelter people. The DHS Appropriations Act, 2023, appropriated $130 million to FEMA, which in turn awarded the money to the EFSP National Board to support local social service organizations aiding our nation’s hungry and homeless.
Read Frequently Asked Questions about the Regular EFSP. For additional questions contact EFSP staff at efsp@uww. unitedway.
org . Families and Individuals Encountered by DHS Congress first appropriated funds for EFSP assistance specifically for support for families and individuals encountered by the Department of Homeland Security (EFSP-Humanitarian, or EFSP-H) in 2019 and the following amounts were awarded to the EFSP National Board.
Fiscal Year Congressional Act Funding Total 2019 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border $30 million 2021 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 $110 million 2022 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2022 $150 million 2023 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2023 $425 million For additional questions on the humanitarian program, contact EFSP staff at suppfund@uww.
unitedway. org. Last updated August 1, 2025
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Non-profit or governmental organizations with a Unique Entity ID (UEI) that are currently providing services in the category(s) for which funding is requested. Must be registered with HMIS or have the capacity to register prior to receipt of award funds. Must have the capacity to expand the program without additional administrative funds and serve all eligible applicants in the geographic area without limiting services to any specific population. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) is funded by Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
Past winners and funding trends for this program
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Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Humanitarian Relief is sponsored by Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This grant program offers funds for nonprofits to help local communities better manage the costs of new arrivals by providing services such as food, shelter, and travel assistance to noncitizens released from DHS custody while they await resolution of their immigration court cases.
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