Evanston staff announce $149,337 ESG award; action plan to be republished for public comment

Evanston staff told the Social Services Committee on April 9 that the city received an unanticipated Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) award of $149,337.

Staff said the addition of ESG funds increased the city’s homelessness goal by more than 20 percent, which requires republishing the 2026 action plan and holding a second public comment period. Staff said the committee will have the opportunity in May to accept the action plan and place it on file; the plan will then go to the Housing and Community Development Committee and ultimately City Council before submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Staff noted the deadline to submit the action plan to HUD is in June and said the May meeting schedule will include discussion of potential ESG allocations and agency reports. The committee was asked to clear calendars for the May 14 meeting so staff can meet HUD’s timeline.