Over $650,000 Awarded to Supplement Emergency Food and Shelter Efforts Across Greater Charlotte

Mecklenburg, Cabarrus and Union County were awarded a total of $663,112 to supplement local emergency food and shelter efforts to support people in need during these continued challenging times.

The funds were awarded under Phase 40 of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), a federally funded program intended to help meet the needs of people experiencing hunger and homelessness in cities and counties throughout the United States. The program is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

In FY 2022, FEMA awarded to the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) National Board the $130 million made available under the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. No. 117-103). EFSP funding is allocated to eligible jurisdictions and managed by Local Boards and State Set-Aside Committees.

Each county’s EFSP Local Board is facilitated by United Way of Greater Charlotte and will determine how the Phase 40 funds will be distributed to area service providers of emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

“The economic disruption that followed the COVID-19 pandemic has undermined the financial stability of many Mecklenburg County residents, and the harm falls disproportionately on those with the least resources, too often in communities of color,” said Kathryn Firmin-Sellers, chief impact officer at United Way of Greater Charlotte. “The Emergency Food and Shelter Program will provide critical resources to organizations working to meet our neighbors’ most basic needs.”

Emergency Food and Shelter Program Phase 40 Local Allocations:

• Mecklenburg County | $500,170
• Cabarrus County | $80,599
• Union County | $82,343

EFSP funds must be used to supplement food and shelter services and may not be used as seed money for new programs. Agencies may receive funds to provide food, shelter and supportive services, including, but not limited to:

• Food services, such as congregate meals or groceries.
• Lodging in a mass shelter ($12.50 per night per individual), or in a hotel/motel or other off-site shelter facility limited to 90-days assistance per individual or household to prevent homelessness.
• Up to 90 days (3 months) of rental or mortgage assistance for clients per phase if it is necessary to prevent eviction or foreclosure.
• Up to 90 days (3 months) of utility assistance for clients per phase if it is necessary to prevent disconnection of services (gas, electric, water).
• Supplies, including but not limited to cleaning supplies and small equipment essential to feed or shelter people, not exceeding $300 per item.
• Administrative funding, if approved by the EFSP Local Board.

See more information about the Mecklenburg, Cabarrus and Union funding announcements.