The City of Little Rock has been awarded two grants totaling more than $774,000 to help individuals and families struggling with or on the verge of homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic, officials announced Wednesday.

The City received an Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) for $214,415 and an ESG-CV (COVID-19) grant for $560,000, said Kevin Howard, the City’s Director of Housing and Neighborhood Programs.

“The grants will be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic among individuals and families who are homeless or receiving homeless assistance; and to support additional homeless assistance and homelessness prevention activities,” Howard said.

Howard said the City expects to have funds no later than Oct. 1 after which time residents will be able to apply for assistance under the following categories:

ESG:

• Rapid Re-Housing ($70,000) – Move homeless people quickly to permanent housing (rental assistance, financial assistance).
• Homelessness Prevention ($144,000) – To prevent individuals/families from moving into an emergency shelter (rental assistance, financial assistance).

The income limit for the ESG program is 30 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). The AMI for the Little Rock area is $72,200.

ESG-CV:

• Street Outreach ($75,000) – Connecting unsheltered individuals with emergency shelter and/or critical health services.
• Rapid Re-Housing ($240,000) – Move homeless people quickly to permanent housing (rental assistance, financial assistance).
• Homelessness Prevention ($240,000) – To prevent individuals/families from moving into an emergency shelter (rental assistance, financial assistance).

The Income limit for the ESG-CV program is 50 percent of the AMI.

About the City of Little Rock’s Response to COVID-19
Residents may visit LittleRock.gov/covid19 for all information about the City’s efforts related to COVID-19, including the newly created Small Business Emergency Assistance Program. Volunteers are needed to assist with the grab-and-go feeding efforts for vulnerable populations, including students and seniors. Sign up at LittleRock.gov/volunteer. The Little Rock Cares Emergency Relief Fund benefits the grab-and-go feeding effort and the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE). Donations of PPE are also accepted. Donate here or visit LittleRock.gov/covid19 and click on the Little Rock Cares Emergency Relief Fund button. Follow the City of Little Rock on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @CityLittleRock.