Lancaster County has been chosen to receive federal funds in the amount of $203,831 (Phase 39) and $630,148 (Phase ARPA-R) made available through the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP) to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. EFSP funds are used for congregate meals, shelter services, utility services, and short-term rental/mortgage assistance for individuals experiencing homelessness and/or at risk of homelessness.

To be eligible to apply for this funding opportunity, organizations must be private voluntary nonprofits with a voluntary board or units of government, be eligible to receive federal funds, have an annual financial review or audited statements in accordance with government auditing standards, have a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), have a Data Universal Number System (DUNS), practice nondiscrimination, have demonstrated the capacity to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and submit required reports.

Eligible organizations may request funding amounts up to $50,000 for Phase 39 and $99,999 for Phase ARPA-R. The EFSP funding is meant to supplement and expand current resources, with award recommendations made by the EFSP Local Board. The time frame for eligible expenses is Nov. 1, 2021, through Sunday, April 23, 2023.

Organizations that received grants in the most recent Phase 38 and Phase CARES awards were Arch Street Center, Community Action Partnership, Elizabethtown Community Housing and Outreach Services (ECHOS), Faith Tabernacle Transformation, Good Samaritan Services, Hands Across the Street in Columbia, Lancaster County Food Hub, Parish Resource Center, Solanco Neighborhood Ministries, Spanish American Civic Association (SACA), Tenfold, The Factory Ministries, United Way of Lancaster County, and YWCA.

Local agencies interested in applying for EFSP funds should visit http://www.uwlanc.org/efsp for RFP applications and instructions. RFP applications must be received by Friday, March 18, at 5 p.m.