Quarterly homeless-services update: ESG funds supporting shelters and move-in assistance

Candace, the county's quarterly-program presenter, briefed the court on Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) spending and related homelessness programs. She said the county finished spending its first-round ESG funds in May 2026, is using 2025 funds to operate through December, and may request an extension to cover program activity.

"Since June 1, that program has served 95 unduplicated clients," Candace said, describing the low-barrier shelter's capacity (14 women's beds and 30 men's beds) and an average nightly census around 38 persons. She added the shelter has been full many nights and staff anticipate fuller occupancy as temperatures fall.

Candace reviewed rapid rehousing (initial 12 months, extendable to 24 months based on need) and a move-in assistance program that covers first month's rent, security and utility deposits and related upfront costs. She said the county has moved eight households with move-in assistance since June 1 and currently has eight households on ongoing rental assistance. She described program rules: rapid rehousing participants are selected via regional coordinated entry; move-in assistance can be requested directly when a household demonstrates they can sustain housing.

She also discussed inherited TBRA units (four households) and said the county will not pursue the most recent HUD COC rapid-rehousing NOFO because programmatic changes made it less favorable. Candace noted data-entry responsibilities in KYHMIS and monthly data-quality reporting required for federal grants.