DEHCR > EHH Program

EHH Program

The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), Housing Assistance Program (HAP), and Homeless Prevention Program (HPP) are collectively referred to as the EHH Program.

The Emergency Shelter Grant was created in 1991 under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. The Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009 (HEARTH Act) amended the McKinney Vento Act, revising the Emergency Shelter Grant Program in significant ways and renaming it the Emergency Solutions Grant Program. It is federally administered by HUD. ESG can be used for rapid re-housing, homelessness prevention, emergency shelter, street outreach, Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS), and administrative costs.

The Homeless Prevention Program is a state program authorized under Wisconsin Statutes § 16.303. HPP can be used for rapid re-housing, homelessness prevention, and administrative costs.

The Housing Assistance Program is a state program authorized under Wisconsin Statutes § 16.306. 2017 Wisconsin Act 59 amended the program and re-named it from the Transitional Housing Program. Housing Assistance Program funds can be used for housing, support services and administrative costs to facilitate the movement of homeless individuals and families to independent living.

The Emergency Solutions Grant-Coronavirus (ESG-CV) was allocated by HUD to the State of Wisconsin as authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Public Law 116-136. These funds are to be used "to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) among individuals and families who are homeless or receiving homeless assistance; and to support additional homeless assistance and homelessness prevention activities to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.”

Eligible Activities

Rapid Re-Housing

Rapid Re-Housing programs help homeless persons living on the streets or in an emergency shelter transition as quickly as possible into permanent housing. Once in permanent housing, Rapid Re-Housing programs provide services and short to medium term rental assistance to help such persons achieve housing.

Homelessness Prevention

Homeless Prevention programs help individuals and households who are at risk of homelessness retain housing.

Street Outreach

Street Outreach programs focus on locating, identifying and building relationships with unsheltered homeless people for the purpose of providing immediate support, intervention, and connections with homeless assistance programs and/or mainstream social services and housing programs.

Emergency Shelter

Emergency Shelters provide temporary shelter and services designed to increase shelter clients’ stability. Unless they have been grandfathered in, transitional housing programs are no longer eligible for funding.