FEMA’s Legislative Affairs Division
Notification of Emergency Food and Shelter ARRA (Stimulus) Funding 2009 - State of Florida
The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will obligate $100 million for the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP) today. These funds were appropriated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which was signed into law on February 17, 2009.
EFSP funds were first authorized by Congress in 1983 and are generally appropriated annually under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. However, due to the current economic crisis faced by our nation, Congress chose the EFSP as a vehicle for delivering ARRA funding because of the program’s history of quick response to areas of greatest need. As it has for the past twenty-six years, the grant will assist social service agencies across our country in their efforts to feed and shelter individuals and families who are hungry and homeless. EFSP funds supplement food, shelter, rent, mortgage, and utility assistance programs for people with economic, rather than natural disaster-related emergencies.
The EFSP is administered by a National Board, which is chaired by FEMA and consists of six voluntary agencies. The voluntary member agencies of the National Board are a diverse cross section of social service organizations. The National Board qualifies local jurisdictions for annual EFSP awards based on criteria involving current population, unemployment, and poverty levels. Awards are then disbursed to local nonprofit organizations and government agencies in the eligible jurisdictions for the purpose of providing emergency food and shelter to needy individuals through private nonprofit organizations and local governments. Grants to the National Board may be used –
1) To supplement and expand ongoing efforts to provide shelter, food, and supportive services for homeless individuals with sensitivity to the transition from temporary shelter to permanent homes, and attention to the special needs of homeless individuals to other sources of services and benefits;
2) To strengthen efforts to create more effective and innovative local programs by providing funding for them; and
3) To conduct minimum rehabilitation of existing mass shelter or mass feeding facilities, but only to the extent necessary to make facilities safe, sanitary, and bring them into compliance with local building codes.
Attached are:
EFSP Program Overview
EFSP Funding Information Overview
EFSP Formula Explanation
EFSP Fact Sheet
EFSP National Press Release
EFSP Sample Press Release
Florida Allocation Sheet
Your office can use the Sample Press Release to draft an announcement of this funding. If your office decides to do a press release or announcement, please furnish us a copy as a courtesy.
If you have any questions, feel free to call FEMA’s Legislative Affairs Division at (202) 646-4500.
Jaime Cook
Office of External Affairs
Legislative Affairs Division
DHS/FEMA