The purpose of the End Student Housing Insecurity (ESHI) Grants is to support institutions in implementing the Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act. Institutions will designate Housing and Opportunities that are Useful for Students' Excellence (HOUSE) liaisons and expand support services and resources available to students experiencing homelessness and students in care on their campus.

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PA 102-0083

IBHE established the End Student Housing Insecurity (ESHI) grant to support institutions in addressing the root or systemic causes of homelessness and basic-needs insecurity among students. The state’s higher education strategic plan, A Thriving Illinois: Higher Education Paths to Equity, Sustainability, and Growth calls for closing equity gaps for students who have been left behind by, in part, by addressing learning renewal and student support needs, including housing insecurity and other basic needs. This grant is intended to support and supplement the work already taking place at the institutions under the Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act to address the basic needs of the youth in care, at-risk, or currently experiencing homelessness.

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Training and professional development for HOUSE liaisons and/or other staff related to addressing the unique needs of homeless students and students in care. Partnerships with local K-12 schools or community organizations to facilitate the transition for homeless students and students in care into higher education and provide resources and support along the way. (i.e., Summer bridge or mentorship programs designed for the specific needs of homeless students and youth in care) Room and board or housing fees for students receiving services under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and/or students under the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services transitioning from high school to college. This cannot exceed 30% of the total requested grant amount. Other measures to provide continuity and stability for students receiving services under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and/or students under the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, such as dorm room supplies. Housing during academic breaks, such as Winter or Spring break. This cannot exceed 15% of the total requested grant amount. Homeless student identification and tracking efforts, including by increasing collaboration across campus units to determine the total number of homeless students and youth in care on campus as well as persistence and graduation rates. Outreach campaigns to increase student and staff awareness of institutional services and identifying at-risk students. Collaboration across staff and campus units (i.e., student services coordinators, financial aid, enrollment management, career services, counseling center) to create programs and services that will prevent and end homelessness. Addressing basic needs insecurity by creating or expanding food pantry programs to include toiletries, hygiene products, childcare items, and/or clothing. Responding to basic needs insecurity by providing vouchers for transportation, food, medicine, laundry, and mental health supports to at-risk students. Student wraparound services that may include academic and career coaching, use of a benefits navigator, textbook and technology loaning programs, and childcare services on campus. Direct aid to students including housing vouchers/stipends, textbook scholarships, technology stipends, rental application fees, and utility bill assistance. Other programs and services aimed at serving the unique needs of homeless students and students in care.

Education Organizations;

Illinois public and non-profit, independent four-year institutions holding accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

Homeless Students and Students In-Care

Project Grants

Education

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1. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance: 2. Proposal Narrative: 3. A Grant Budget with narrative descriptions of each line:

Proposals will be reviewed, scored according to the rubric below, and selected by a committee convened by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Institutions with the highest scores based on the rubric below will be awarded funding up to the funding available. Institutions scoring below 60 points based on the rubric below will not be considered for funding. All applicants will be notified of the panel’s recommendations via email message to each institution’s primary grant contact.

Merit Based Review - Disbursed Quarterly

The application materials must be submitted via email to ESHI@ibhe.org. Applications must be received by 12:00 pm on September 30, 2024 to be considered for funding.

Approximately 30 Business Days

An appeal must be received by 5:00pm of the 14th day after the date that the first grant award notice has been published. The appeal must be given in writing, is deemed delivered upon receipt, and must be delivered via email to eshi@ibhe.org. The written appeal shall include at a minimum the following: 1. The name and address of the appealing party; 2. Identification of the grant; and 3. A statement of reasons for the appeal.

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Training and professional development for HOUSE liaisons and/or other staff related to addressing the unique needs of homeless students and students in care. Partnerships with local K-12 schools or community organizations to facilitate the transition for homeless students and students in care into higher education and provide resources and support along the way. (i.e., Summer bridge or mentorship programs designed for the specific needs of homeless students and youth in care) Outreach and identification campaigns to increase student and staff awareness of institutional services and identifying at-risk students. Collaboration across staff and campus units (i.e., student services coordinators, financial aid, enrollment management, career services, counseling center) to create programs and services that will prevent and end homelessness. Addressing basic needs insecurity by creating or expanding food pantry programs to include toiletries, hygiene products, childcare items, and/or clothing. Responding to basic needs insecurity by providing vouchers for transportation, food, medicine, laundry, and mental health supports to at-risk students. Student wraparound services that may include academic and career coaching, use of a benefits navigator, textbook and technology loaning programs, and childcare services on campus. Direct aid to students including housing vouchers/stipends, textbook scholarships, technology stipends, rental application fees, and utility bill assistance. Other programs and services aimed at serving the unique needs of homeless students and students in care.

Each grantee will be required to submit project and expenditure reports. The reports will describe the progress of the project in carrying out the activities described in the proposal. The anticipated submission and period of these reports will be the following: Project Period Submission Due Date Period 1 – October 1 to December 31, 2024 January 31, 2025 Period 2 – January 1 to March 30, 2025 April 30, 2025 Period 3 – April 1 to June 30, 2025 July 15, 2025 Close-out Report Due (narrative and financial) July 31, 2025

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0001.60101.1900.0200

FY25 Only

Institutions may apply for grants in the amount required to implement the initiatives within the term of the grant. IBHE anticipates awarding up to $200,000 per institution.

Proposed program will facilitate the work of HOUSE liaisons to offer assistance and resources to homeless students and students in care.

https://www.ibhe.org/ESHI.html

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https://www.ibhe.org/ESHI.html

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8/16/2024

FY 2025 : $180,000,000