Innovative Winter Response Solutions
| Grant Title: | Innovative Winter Response Solutions |
| Solicitation #: | 26-DWS-S018 |
| Funding Source: | State of Utah General Fund and Pamela Atkinson Homeless Account |
| Application Deadline: | January 20, 2026, 8:00 a.m. Late proposals will not be accepted. Proposals must be submitted as required in the RFGA. |
| Total Grant Amount: | $505,702.26 |
| Program Start Date: | October 15, 2026 |
| Program End Date: | April 30, 2027 |
| Pre-Proposal Meeting (virtual): | Pre-Proposal Meeting Recording |
| Contact Information: | Contract Owner: Shaylee Tulane (stulane@utah.gov) Contract Analyst: Sarah Smith (sarahsmith@utah.gov) |
Purpose
Innovative Winter Response Solutions are new and innovative approaches to providing shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness, that pre-empt the need for hotel/motel services during the winter response period. Projects must be designed to increase the quantity or accessibility of emergency shelter services within a Local Homeless Council jurisdiction. This may include congregate shelter and non-congregate shelter.
Minimum Requirements
- Applicant(s) must be authorized to do business in the State of Utah.
- The project must be located in Utah.
- The project must be located in counties of the third, fourth, fifth or sixth class.
- Projects or shelter beds that currently receive DWS-OHS funding are not eligible for this funding.
- Applicants must illustrate how their project decreases the need for hotel/motel vouchers within their Local Homeless Council (LHC).
- Coordinate with the LHC to align with other homeless initiatives.
- Applicants must be able to open within the winter response period (October 15, 2026 through April 30, 2027).
- Applicants will need to outline a plan for stability of operations beyond the winter response period.
- The organization does not have current, open findings from DWS-OHS.
- The organization is not in default on any contract or grant agreements with DWS.
- Contractors who have had a grant agreement with DWS terminated for cause within the previous three (3) years are not eligible to apply.
- Funded projects must be open to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or political affiliation.
Who May Apply
- Projects must be located in counties of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth class to qualify for this funding opportunity.
- Public or private non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations, state departments and agencies, units of local governments, and tribal entities.
- Organizations with religious affiliations are to provide assurances that grant funds will not require client participation in religious practices to receive services.
- Organizations that have demonstrated experience and expertise in providing services to individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Organizations that have the financial capability, secured capital, fiscal management system, and personnel needed to manage a reimbursement contract.
- Application