The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is pleased to announce the release of the Encampment Resolution Funding Program Round 5 (ERF Round 5) Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and application. This NOFA makes $93 million available to California cities, counties, and CoCs to fund actionable, person-centered, local proposals that provide stable housing and address the immediate health and safety needs of the individuals residing in specific encampments.  

 

The ERF Round 5 NOFA and application are available on the ERF website, with other application resources:  

• ERF Round 5 NOFA 

• Cognito Application Portal 

• Application Template (Word), meant to help applicants draft responses before entering into the Cognito portal 

• Budget Template 

  

Application Timeline:  

HCD will accept applications beginning March 27, 2026 through June 30, 2026, with awards anticipated in September 2026. If all program funds are not awarded through the first application window, a second application window will open from September 1, 2026 through October 31, 2026, with awards anticipated in January 2027. Please note that applications submitted after October 31, 2026 will not be considered.  

 

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NOFA Walkthroughs: 

HCD will host NOFA and application walkthrough sessions on the dates below. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the NOFA and application materials in detail before these sessions and bring any questions to the NOFA walkthrough(s). NOFA walkthroughs are optional, and applicants may attend multiple walkthroughs.  

 

April 13, 2026, 1:00pm – 4:00pm  

Zoom registration link: https://hcd-ca-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3BoVs9ltQoSC02Cc2CeOtQ  

  

April 23, 2026, 9:00am – 12:00pm  

Zoom registration link: https://hcd-ca-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ngUAyJcFSACTCPeCbgZpTQ  

  

April 29, 2026, 9:00am – 12:00pm  

Zoom registration link: https://hcd-ca-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_P7SB4CSKRB-8DzImooD4Fg  

 

Questions:  

HCD welcomes applicants to submit questions related to ERF Round 5 anytime by emailing HPDHomelessnessGrants@hcd.ca.gov with the subject line “ERF Round 5”. HCD will cover frequently asked questions (FAQs) at NOFA walkthroughs, will post FAQs on the ERF website as necessary, and continue to field questions at monthly office hours.