Emergency Solutions Grant Funds Available (FY2025)

CITY OF ST. LOUIS
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
HOMELESS SERVICES DIVISION
FY2025
EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT (ESG)
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
(RFP)
Release Date: April 8, 2026
Due Date: May 6, 2026, 4:00 pm
1 | FY2025 Emergency Solutions Grant RFP

CITY OF ST. LOUIS
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
HOMELESS SERVICES DIVISION
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
The City of St. Louis, Department of Human Services (DHS), Homeless Services Division (HSD) is issuing a Request
for Proposals (RFP) for the following U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program:
2025 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
AND Previous year awards left unspent (FY2020, FY2022, FY2023)
Proposals will be accepted for the ESG funding categories of Emergency Shelter, Street Outreach, Rapid Re-
Housing, Homeless Prevention, and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Beginning April 8, 2026
RFP packets will be available for pick-up at the Homeless Services Division or at the following website:
https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/procurement/
ESG INFORMATIONAL BIDDER'S CONFERENCE
Those that want to participate in the Google Meet Webinar can email Amy Bickford at bickforda@stlouis-mo.gov
to be added to the Calendar Invite with Webinar link or attend the meeting via this Google Meet Access:
Wednesday, April 22 * 10:00 - 11:00am
Time zone: America/Chicago
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/wwo-vymd-ybn
Or dial: (US) +1 315-924-2110 PIN: 783 223 593#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/wwo-vymd-ybn?pin=3133759180580
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RFP
* Must reference the RFP page number and section to which it applies.
* DHS will record questions and provide written responses posted on the City's website.
* DHS will maintain a list of entities that requested the RFP and provide question responses to them.
* Amy Bickford is the dedicated contact person. Contact with Selection committee members is prohibited.
* Questions should be submitted in writing on or before April 28, 2026 and should be referred to:
Amy Bickford, Chief Program Manager
Department of Human Services - Homeless Services Division
1520 Market Street, Room 4065, St. Louis, MO 63103
bickforda@stlouis-mo.gov
Proposals not received by 4:00 p.m. May 6, 2026, may lose points when reviewers score proposals, and may not
be considered by the Selection Committee.
2 | FY 2025 Emergency Solutions Grant RFP

ABOUT THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS HOMELESS SERVICES DIVISION
As administrator of federal, state and local funds, the City of St. Louis Department of Human Services, Homeless
Services Division (HSD) provides a comprehensive approach in responding to the diverse needs of people experiencing
homelessness or housing displacement in the City of St. Louis. HSD performs several important functions to
coordinate homeless services with the CoC in St. Louis City that includes the following:
* Development, coordination, and monitoring of new and existing housing and services programs to meet the
needs of people experiencing homelessness and/or at-risk of homelessness,
* Negotiation of contracts with social services agencies ensuring that housing and services are delivered
efficiently, effectively and unduplicated,
* Collaboration and partnership with a broad spectrum of participants in the homeless services delivery system
such as health and human services professionals, advocates, government officials, representatives from
nonprofit agencies, businesses and persons with lived experience from the metropolitan area, to address any
needs that arise for the homeless community,
* Participation in a wide array of community meetings, committees, councils, training events and national
events and conferences, and community events, to educate and share information and best practices in the
field of serving and housing homeless individuals and families.
Through these activities, the HSD ensures an efficient homeless services system for funding the most efficient and
effective programs, reducing duplication of services and increasing innovative program design.
EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT AUTHORITY AND USE
The City of St. Louis seeks to use its Federal Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funds to address the urgent needs
of residents who are experiencing homelessness or are at imminent risk of homelessness. The ESG program is
funded by HUD and is administered by the City of St. Louis Department of Human Services.
These funds are made pursuant to the authority of Subtitle B of Title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11371 et seq.) and are subject to the applicable annual appropriations act. These funds
are made available in accordance with the City of St. Louis Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan, in
accordance with 24 CFR Part 91.
ESG funds may be used for five program components: street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness
prevention, rapid re-housing assistance, and HMIS.
The City of St. Louis is seeking a variety of applicants that can provide new and innovative solutions to housing
and programs that seek to rapidly provide housing and services to the unhoused. ESG funded organizations shall
work closely with other community programs that, together, provide an array of housing opportunities, services
and solutions intended to prevent and end homelessness for households in need.
ANNUAL ACTION PLAN GOALS & FUNDS AVAILABLE
For FY2025 Emergency Solutions Grant:
* $1,404,767 is available in FY2025 funds under this RFP
* With HUD approval, this RFP will also cover the following funds under previous allocations:
o $116,364.06 in FY2020 (exclusive to Emergency Shelter)
o $181,745.72 in FY2022 (exclusive to Homeless Prevention)
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o $77,067.68 in FY2023 (exclusive to Rapid Rehousing)
* All components are intended to be funded.
* Grant Term of 9 months to one year.
Each year, the City's Consolidated Plan is updated with Annual Action Plan goals. The Annual Action Plan provides
a projection of the goals, which includes the amounts to be allocated by component type and the projected
number of people to be served. The City must strive to meet these goals to the greatest extent possible. After
selections are made through the selection process discussed below, contracts will be negotiated between DHS
and the Agency's to determine the amount of their award.
Consolidated Plan goals and progress to date:
Component Type Consolidated 5- Yearly Action Funds Additional Total Funds
Year Plan Goals Plan Projected Available This Prior Year Available
Goal Year per FY Funds
2025 Funds Available
Emergency Shelter 11,450 people 2,290 people $853,195 $116,364.06 $969,559
Street Outreach 250 people 50 people $36,707 $36,707
Rapid Rehousing 500 households 100 households $277,827 $77,067.68 $354,894.68
Homeless Prevention 1,000 persons 200 people $157,038 $181,745.72 $338,783.72
Data Collection n/a n/a $80,000 $80,000
(HMIS)
Total Funds Available $1,404,767 $375,177.46 $1,779,944.46
Proposals will be awarded such that we are coming as close as possible to meeting or exceeding the Yearly
Action Plan Projected Goal.
METHOD OF COMPENSATION
The method of compensation for contracts is via monthly reimbursement for incurred expenses. Selected
subrecipients will work with a Homeless Services Division Contract Compliance Officer for training and
understanding of how the contract and grant must align with HUD and City requirements. This will include
instruction, both verbal and written, on the Homeless Services requirements for complete, accurate and timely
billing packet submissions, so reimbursements can be provided to subrecipients as quickly as possible. The City
issues check payments to subrecipients once the complete, accurate and timely billing packet with
programmatic data submission is fully processed through several City Departments. Selected subrecipients will
have to incur expenses and be able to cover up to three months of the project at the start of the contract.
ESG contracts are for a Grant Term of One year. The preferred start date is July 1, 2025. Typically contract terms
are for twelve months, but DHS will allow up to 15-month contract duration, if requested. The one exception to
this is for Inclement Weather Only projects, which will have a grant term that starts in November or December
and runs through March or April.
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MATCHING FUNDS
Per 24 CFR 576.201 and 2 CFR 200.306, all projects require a 100% match. Match may be met through cash or
noncash contributions which are expended for the subrecipient's allowable ESG costs to the program. Matching
funds are to be used in accordance with all requirements that apply to ESG grant funds, including the
requirements for documentation, eligibility and eligible costs. Match funds are to be expended during the grant
term. Matching funds used for this ESG program can't have been used to meet the match requirements of any
other federal program.
Please note, DHS requires that match be documented and submitted with monthly reimbursement requests,
and match records will be reviewed in the same manner used for the grant funds awarded.
ADMINISTRATION COSTS
There is no administrative line allowed for ESG projects.
ELIGIBLE ESG COMPONENTS
1. Emergency Shelter - Yearly Beds: ESG funds may be used for the costs of providing essential services to
homeless individuals and families in emergency shelters and for the operations of emergency shelters. There
is a 100% match requirement for ESG. Proposals will be accepted for current or new shelter providers
needing additional financial support for maintaining and/or increasing operations to provide as many shelter
beds and services as possible.
2. Emergency Shelter - Inclement Weather Beds: Current or new shelter providers may apply for ESG funding
for the addition of emergency shelter beds for Inclement Weather Operations. Inclement Weather includes
winter, extreme heat, and the planning of such events. Any existing or prospective shelter that can add
additional bed capacity, as well as staff which intend to stand up locations for providing warm / cool, safe
places for people to sleep during Inclement Weather events are encouraged to apply. Providers may also
apply for funding for programs which can solely be an Inclement Weather response project where they
stand up bed capacity and/or provide "pop-up" shelters and or spaces on an as needed basis for any type of
weather or emergent need.
3. Biddle Housing Opportunity Center (BHOC) - Emergency Shelter Operator: The selection of an organization
to provide operational management and services of the BHOC program occurs every other year. Any entity
that would be interested in this opportunity can apply under this RFP for a two-year term of operations. The
City of St. Louis maintains ownership of the facility and grounds, located at 1212 N. 13th Street. The City is
responsible for specific expenses, repairs, and purchasing functions (Exhibit H).
Specific Scope of Work for BHOC (See Exhibit E for Detailed Scope of Work):
* Overnight Shelter Services for 101 single adult men and operations of Inclement Weather overflow
shelter services of up to an additional 50 adult men.
* The full operations are supported by three sources of funds; ESG, Affordable Housing Commission, and
Proposition P City funds.
* Funding from the Affordable Housing Commission and Proposition P City Funds serve as the ESG Match
requirement for the operations of BHOC.
* The City will assist the selected provider to ensure funds are secured from the other two funding sources
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for the full operations of BHOC.
* The budget will be submitted on a specific form, separate than that submitted by other emergency
shelter applicants.
* The budget submitted should be for the full year and full year of the operations. Once an organization is
selected Homeless Services management will work with them to edit the overall operations budget
amongst the three sources of funds.
Please Note: The City will not be approving Renovations as an eligible activity under this RFP.
Minimum Scope of Work (applies to all Emergency Shelter projects):
* Must comply with the St. Louis City CoC's written program standards.
* Shelter Access: There shall not be "screening out" of clients due to perceived barriers relating to housing or
services, including, but not limited to, too little or no income, active or a history of substance use, domestic
violence history, resistance to receiving services, the type or extent of disability-related services or supports
that are needed, history of evictions or poor credit, lease violations or history of not being a leaseholder, or
criminal records - with exceptions for state and local restrictions that prevent projects from serving people
with certain convictions.
* Participation in services and housing planning is offered but not required, and client choice is at the center
of case and housing planning.
* Safety of all clients in the facility is top priority, and when that safety is not ensured, shelter staff may utilize
protocols which include asking someone to leave, such as drug use on the premises, threatening or
dangerous behaviors, noncompliance to rules, etc.
* HMIS System Data Entry, including collection required data for CAPER requirements must be met. Providers
must comply with the HMIS policies and procedures.
* COORDINATED ENTRY ACCESS. All emergency shelter participants shall be offered to be enrolled in the
CoC's Coordinated Entry system.
* GET HELP Compliance. All emergency shelter programs shall meet specific GET Help requirements as
specified by the Continuum of Care. The City specifically requires:
o Correct number of available beds to be reported and updated when this number changes.
o Have a dedicated staff person(s) that are keeping "open" beds up to date in the platform.
o Respond to and accept referrals made in the Get Help application.
* Supportive services are maximized to address achieving and maintaining stability and in preventing and
ending homelessness, as well as returns to homelessness.
* Emergency Shelter program provides or has procedures for referral to Housing Focused Case Management
Services. These services shall include a focus on housing assessment, placement and housing stability.
Program policies should have procedures or provisions to include:
o Engagement and Intake;
o Assessment and Case planning / goal setting with focus on Permanent Housing Planning;
o Helping residents qualify for / maintain public benefits;
o Service Coordination with community providers;
o Facilitating access to permanent housing and mainstream services;
o Data entry and reporting in HMIS System, to include adding all participants to the Coordinated Entry
prioritization list (unless a client declines to participate); and
o Collaboration and participation with Coordinated Entry (CE) which includes designating a staff
person to attend all Weekly Housing & Match Meetings (WHAMM).
* Daily cleaning and Maintenance of the facility (including laundry).
* Structured schedule of services and activities during the day.
* Ensure Safety, Security and Control access to building and Services.
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There are two allowable activities for Emergency Shelter (See Exhibit A):
* Essential services: Case management, Child Care, Education Services, Employment Assistance and Job
Training, Outpatient Health Services, Legal Services, Life Skills Training, Mental Health Services,
Substance Abuse Treatment Services, Transportation, Services for Special Populations
* Shelter operations: Maintenance, Rent, Security, Fuel, Equipment, Insurance, Utilities, Food, Furnishings
and supplies necessary for shelter operation. Eligible costs may also include hotel or motel vouchers for
families or individuals.
4. Street Outreach: Essential Services related to reaching out to unsheltered homeless individuals and families,
connecting them with emergency shelter, housing, or critical services, and providing them with urgent, non-
facility-based care to unsheltered homeless people who are unwilling or unable to access emergency
shelter, housing or other appropriate health facility. Requires a 100% match.
Street Outreach is a set of strategies which include outreach and engagement, where unhoused individuals
and families are residing, such as on the streets, in parks, campsites, abandoned buildings, cars and other
places not meant for human habitation. Street Outreach workers establish relationships, build trust and
rapport, and provide necessities for the intention of linking households to housing and support.
Populations to be targeted for Street Outreach are those which are believed to be critically vulnerable; those
that need connections to services and supports. Often, unhoused people believe they don't qualify for
services, and/or don't have the means to access services in traditional methods, so outreach workers meet
unhoused people where they are. Critical populations include those which are elderly, those which have
"high risk health conditions" making them more susceptible to complications and/or death if COVID is
contracted, as specified by the CDC. Other priority populations are those that have long lengths of time of
unhoused, those with the most severe needs, particularly those with mental health or substance use
disabilities, and those believed to be Veterans.
There is only 1 allowable activity for street outreach projects known as Essential Services which include (See
Exhibit A):
* Engagement
* Case Management
* Emergency Health Services
* Emergency Mental Health Services
* Transportation
* Services for Special Populations
5. Rapid Re-Housing - Short-term Rental Assistance: Assistance that helps individuals or families living in
shelters or in places not meant for human habitation to move as quickly as possible into permanent housing
and achieve stability in that housing. This program will allow for rental assistance for up to three months.
6. Rapid Rehousing - Medium-Term Rental Assistance: Assistance that helps individuals or families living in
shelters or in places not meant for human habitation to move as quickly as possible into permanent housing
and achieve stability in that housing. This program will allow for rental assistance for three to twelve
months.
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For either type of rapid rehousing program listed above, program participants must meet the criteria under
paragraph (1) or paragraph (4) of the HUD Homeless Definition in 24 CFR 576.2 and living in an emergency
shelter or other place described in paragraph (1) of the HUD Homeless Definition or be fleeing or attempting
to flee domestic violence.
Category 1: Individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence
Literally Homeless meaning:
* Has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not meant
for human habitation;
* Is living in a publicly or privately-operated shelter designated to provide
temporary living arrangements; or
* Is exiting an institution where they've resided for 90 days or less and who
resided in one of the two locations listed above prior to entry to the
institution.
Category 4: An individual or family who:
Fleeing/Attempting * Is fleeing or is attempting to flee DV, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking,
to Flee Domestic and Human Trafficking;
Violence (DV) * Has no other residence; and
* Lacks the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing
The 3 Eligible activities are the following (See Exhibit A):
A. Rental Assistance (Applicant must choose if project will be a short-term or medium-term):
* Short-Term Rental Assistance allows for up to 3 months of financial support;
* Medium-Term Rental Assistance allows for assistance between 3 months to 12 months (per local
CoC Written Standards); and
* Rental Arrears can be provided as a one-time payment to cover up to 6 consecutive months of
rental arrears, including a participant's late fees.
B. Housing Relocation & Stabilization Services - Financial Assistance:
* Rental Application Fees;
* Security Deposits that are equal to no more than 2 month's rent;
* Last Month's Rent which can't be more than one month's rent, and is included in the calculation
of total rental assistance provided which cannot exceed 24 months during any 3-year period;
* Utility Deposits;
* Utility payments:
o Utility payments allowed of up to 24 months of assistance per service including utility arrears.
o Utility arrears is allowed of up to 6 months of utility payments in arrears, per service. Note
that if the statement doesn't specify what month of service the arrears is for and how many
months it's for, then it will not be reimbursed.
o A partial payment of a utility bill counts as one month.
o Eligible utilities are gas, electric, water, and sewage;
* Moving Costs. Costs include truck rental or hiring a moving company and may also include
payment of temporary storage fees for up to 3 months, provided the fees are accrued after the
date the program participant begins receiving assistance and before the program participant
moves into permanent housing. Temporary storage fees which are in arrears is not eligible.
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C. Housing Relocation & Stabilization Services - Services Costs:
* Housing Search and Placement: Services and activities to assist program participants in locating,
obtaining and retaining permanent housing. Includes assessment of housing barriers, needs and
preferences, development of an action plan, housing search, outreach to and negotiation with
owners, assistance with submitting rental applications and understanding leases, assessment of
housing for compliance with ESG inspection requirements for habitability standards and lead-
based paint, rent reasonableness, assistance with obtaining utilities and making moving
arrangements, and tenant counseling
* Housing Stability Case Management: ESG funds may be used to pay the cost of assessing,
arranging, coordinating, and monitoring the delivery of individualized services to facilitate
housing stability for a program participant who resides in permanent housing or to assist a
program participant in overcoming immediate barriers to obtaining housing. The local CoC
Written Standards require that the Case Manager meet with every client at least once monthly, if
they are receiving more than one month of assistance. This assistance cannot exceed 30 days
during the period the program participant is seeking permanent housing and cannot exceed 24
months during the period the program participant is living in permanent housing.
* Mediation
* Legal Services
* Credit Repair
Per the CoC's Written Standards the following minimum standards must also be met in all Rapid Rehousing
programs funded with ESG funds:
* Case Managers must meet with every client at least once monthly, if they are receiving more than one
month of assistance, and this must be documented in case notes or HMIS.
* Participants are required to contribute 30% of their monthly adjusted income or 10% of their monthly
income (whichever is the higher of the two amounts) towards rent, and participant household income is
recertified every 3 months.
* Monthly household income is at or below 30% AMI.
* Participants must have a written lease in order to receive rental assistance.
* Rental Assistance will only be provided if the total rent for the unit does not exceed Fair Market rent
established by HUD, and complies with HUD's standard of rent reasonableness.
7. Homeless Prevention - Short-Term Rental Assistance: The costs of homelessness prevention are only
eligible to the extent that the assistance is necessary to help the program participant regain stability in their
current housing or move into other permanent housing and achieve stability in that housing. Selecting this
project type will allow for rental assistance for up to three months.
8. Homeless Prevention - Medium-Term Rental Assistance: The costs of homelessness prevention are only
eligible to the extent that the assistance is necessary to help the program participant regain stability in their
current housing or move into other permanent housing and achieve stability in that housing. Selecting this
project type will allow for rental assistance for three to twelve months.
The 3 Eligible activities are the following (See Attachment A):
A. Rental Assistance:
* Short-term Rental Assistance allows for up to 3 months of financial support;
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* Medium-term Rental Assistance allows for assistance between 3 months to 12 months (per local
CoC Written Standards); and
* Rental Arrears can be provided as a one-time payment to cover up to 6 consecutive months of
rental arrears, including a participant's late fees.
B. Housing Relocation & Stabilization Services - Financial Assistance:
* Rental Application Fees;
* Security Deposits that are equal to no more than 2 month's rent;
* Last Month's Rent which can't be more than one month's rent, and is included in the calculation
of total rental assistance provided which cannot exceed 24 months during any 3-year period;
* Utility Deposits;
* Utility payments:
o Utility payments allowed of up to 24 months of assistance per service including utility arrears.
o Utility arrears is allowed of up to 6 months of utility payments in arrears, per service. Note
that if the statement doesn't specify what month of service the arrears is for and how many
months it's for, then it will not be reimbursed.
o A partial payment of a utility bill counts as one month.
o Eligible utilities are gas, electric, water, and sewage;
* Moving Costs. Costs include truck rental or hiring a moving company and may also include
payment of temporary storage fees for up to 3 months, provided the fees are accrued after the
date the program participant begins receiving assistance and before the program participant
moves into permanent housing. Temporary storage fees which are in arrears is not eligible.
C. Housing Relocation & Stabilization Services - Services Costs:
* Housing Search and Placement: Services and activities to assist program participants in locating,
obtaining and retaining permanent housing. Includes assessment of housing barriers, needs and
preferences, development of an action plan, housing search, outreach to and negotiation with
owners, assistance with submitting rental applications and understanding leases, assessment of
housing for compliance with ESG inspection requirements for habitability standards and lead-
based paint, rent reasonableness, assistance with obtaining utilities and making moving
arrangements, and tenant counseling
* Housing Stability Case Management: ESG funds may be used to pay the cost of assessing,
arranging, coordinating, and monitoring the delivery of individualized services to facilitate
housing stability for a program participant who resides in permanent housing or to assist a
program participant in overcoming immediate barriers to obtaining housing. The local CoC
Written Standards require that the Case Manager meet with every client at least once monthly, if
they are receiving more than one month of assistance. This assistance cannot exceed 30 days
during the period the program participant is seeking permanent housing and cannot exceed 24
months during the period the program participant is living in permanent housing.
* Mediation
* Legal Services
* Credit Repair
9. Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS): Designed to fund ESG recipients' and subrecipients'
participation in the HMIS collection and analyses of data on individuals and families who are homeless and
at-risk of homelessness.
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