Emergency Food and Shelter Program RFPs to go out in April

Requests for proposals for the federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program are expected to go out in mid-April. EFSP dollars are limited to emergency food, emergency rent or mortgage assistance and mass shelter operations. The Oahu funds are administered by Aloha United Way.

The program “is certainly broader than just AUW,” said Norm Baker, AUW vice president for Community Building. “As a matter of fact, each year several non-AUW agencies receive funding.”

EFSP was delayed this year due to the late passage and signing of the federal budget. “We have recently received notification of Hawaii’s allocation for 2008 and we’ll soon initiate the proposal, selection and distribution process.” Baker said. “You can anticipate a call for proposals in mid-April.

The 2008 federal budget allocation was approximately the same as in 2007, he said. “Therefore, we anticipate having approximately $150,000 to award for 2008. We will announce the opening of the application period via email and by newspaper. If you have any questions, please call me at (808) 543-2202.”