Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Approximately $20,150,000 is available for housing assistance and supportive services under the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) program.

APPLICATION DUE DATE: Completed applications must be submitted no later than 12:00 midnight, Eastern time, on July 10, 1998 at HUD Headquarters. See the General Section of this SuperNOFA for specific procedures governing the form of application submission (e.g., mailed applications, express mail, overnight delivery, or hand carried).

ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS: The completed original application must be submitted to: Processing and Control Branch, Office of Community Planning and Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW, Room 7251, Washington, DC 20410. The original application submitted to HUD headquarters is considered the official application.

In addition, two (2) copies of this application must also be submitted to the area CPD Field Office or Offices that serve the area in which activities are proposed; the list of addresses for area CPD Field Offices is provided in the HOPWA application kit. An applicant that proposes nationwide activities should file the two copies with their original with the HUD headquarters office. When submitting your applications, please refer to HOPWA, and include your name, mailing address (including zip code) and telephone number (including area code).

FOR APPLICATION KITS, FURTHER INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE:

For an application kit, supplemental information, and technical assistance please call the SuperNOFA Information Center at 1-800-HUD-8929 (1-800-483-8929). Persons with hearing or speech impairments may call the Center's TTY number at 1-800-483-2209. The application kit also will be available on the Internet through the HUD web site at http://www.HUD.gov. When requesting an application kit, please refer to HOPWA and provide your name, address (including zip code), and telephone number (including area code).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

I. Authority; Purpose; Amount Allocated; and Eligibility.

(A) Authority. This program is authorized under the AIDS Housing Opportunity Act (42 U.S.C. 12901). The regulations for HOPWA are found at 24 CFR part 574.

(B) Purpose. Under selection procedures established in Section II of this NOFA, the funds available under this NOFA will be used to fund projects for low-income persons with HIV/AIDS and their families under two categories of assistance:

(1) Grants for Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) that, due to their innovative nature or their potential for replication, are likely to serve as effective models in addressing the housing and related supportive service needs of eligible persons; and

(2) Grants for projects that are part of Long-Term Comprehensive Strategies (Long-Term) for providing housing and related supportive services for eligible persons in areas that are not eligible for HOPWA formula allocations.

(C) Amount Allocated. Approximately $20,150,000 is being made available by this NOFA. Additional funds may be awarded if funds are recaptured, deobligated, appropriated or otherwise made available during the fiscal year.

(1) Maximum grant amounts. The maximum amount that an applicant may receive is $1,000,000 for program activities (e.g., activities that directly benefit clients). An applicant may also receive up to 3 percent of the amount that is awarded for program activities for grantee administrative costs and, if the application involves project sponsors, up to 7 percent of the amount that is provided to project sponsors for program activities for the project sponsors' administrative costs. In addition, up to $50,000 may be requested to collect data on project outcomes. HUD reserves the right to reduce the amount requested for data collection on project outcomes in relation the amount requested for program activities.

For example, an applicant that proposes to use $1,000,000 for housing assistance could receive up to an additional $100,000 for administrative costs (potentially up to $30,000 for grantee administrative costs and up to $70,000 for project sponsors' administrative costs if the sponsors carry out that assistance) and $50,000 for data collection. Due to statutory limits on administrative costs, no project sponsor administrative costs are available in cases where the grantee directly carries out the program activities and that grantee is limited to using up to 3 percent of the grant amount for administering the grant. An applicant should note that the costs of staff that are carrying out the program activities may be included in those program activity costs and that costs may be prorated between categories as may be appropriate. A sponsor is only eligible to use up to 7 percent of the amount that they receive for the sponsor's administrative costs.

(2) Award modifications. See the General Section of this SuperNOFA for information with regard to adjustments to funding. HUD also reserves the right to ensure that a project that is applying for and eligible for selection under this and other competitions, including the FY 1998 Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance NOFA, is not awarded funds that duplicate activities.

(D) Eligible Applicants.

(1) States, units of general local government, and nonprofit organizations may apply for grants for Special Projects of National Significance.

(2) Certain States and units of general local government may apply for grants for projects under the Long-Term category of grants, if the proposed activities will serve areas that were not eligible to receive HOPWA formula allocations in fiscal year 1998. An appendix in the application kit will describe the formula areas. Nonprofit organizations are not eligible to apply directly for the Long-Term category of grants but may serve as a project sponsor for an eligible State or local government grantee.

The HOPWA regulations at 24 CFR 574.3 provide for a definition of nonprofit organization, and eligibility of these organizations is further addressed in the application kit.

(E) Eligible Activities. The following eligible activities are subject to standards and limitations found in 24 CFR part 574:

(1) Housing information services (including fair housing counseling).

(2) Project-based or tenant-based rental assistance.

(3) New construction of a community residence or SRO dwelling.

(4) Acquisition, rehabilitation, conversion, lease or repair of facilities to provide housing and services.

(5) Operating costs for housing.

(6) Short-term rent, mortgage and utility payments to prevent homelessness.

(7) Supportive services.

(8) Administrative expenses.

(9) Resource identification and technical assistance;

Under this NOFA, applicants may propose to operate technical assistance and/or resource identification activities that help communities and organizations develop housing resources for persons with HIV/AIDS and their families. Generally, this assistance can be used to help communities to improve community-based needs assessments, undertake multiple-year HIV/AIDS housing planning, enhance facility operations and refine other management practices of organizations that provide or plan to provide housing assistance and/or related supportive services for persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families. This assistance can also be used to provide support for HOPWA project sponsors in the form of advice and training. These activities should help build the capacity of sponsors to undertake housing development, to operate housing programs, and use of funds in compliance with the Consolidated Planning Process and the Grants Management System. Funds may be used to provide assistance in developing community-based needs assessments and assistance for State-wide, metropolitan, nonmetropolitan and/or rural areas in development of area multiyear HIV and AIDS housing plans, and for research and information services. Applications to provide technical assistance and resource identification on a national or multijurisdictional basis also may be proposed.

HUD has received community recommendations that the program place additional emphasis on assistance in the planning, development, and operation of projects as well as in undertaking the evaluation of performance from grantees and project sponsors that have been administering HOPWA formula allocations and/or competitive grants. The proposed use of funds for technical assistance and resource identification would also help respond to these recommendations; and

(10) Other activities that are proposed in an application and approved by HUD, including data collection on project outcomes; however, HUD will not approve proposals that depend on future decisions on how funds are to be used, for example, a proposal to establish a local request-for-proposal process to select sponsors and activities.

Project Outcomes. Under item (10), applicants are encouraged to apply for funds to collect data on project outcomes, particularly client outcomes. In addition, data may be collected on changes to housing and supportive services delivery systems as a result of the model project, including changes resulting from any innovative features. A plan for the collection of data and the reporting of information on project outcomes to HUD should be provided by applicants requesting funds for this purpose.

In offering funds for outcomes data collection, this NOFA recognizes the importance of collecting information on model and innovative projects to support further improvements and reforms to the local assistance programs for persons with HIV/AIDS and their families and to be used in national evaluations.

As noted above in Section I(C)(1), an applicant may request up to $50,000 to collect information and report to HUD, or a third party designated by HUD, on project outcomes.

If funds are requested, the applicant must propose data collection activities in their application. The persons who will conduct these activities may include expert third-party assistance. Generally, this person will help a project:

(a) Define monitoring questions that will be addressed and examined during the project period;

(b) Specify outcome measures;

(c) Develop instruments to assess project outcomes and systems outcomes;

(d) Train project staff in the collection of the data, including preparation of standard Annual Progress Reports to HUD;

(e) Monitor data collection activities to assure that submissions are complete and accurate, including data coding and entry;

(f) Summarize the data collected; and

(g) Prepare reports summarizing findings.

II. Program Requirements.

(A) Performance Measures and Project Goals and Objectives. Applicants should establish and describe performance goals and objectives that are important in developing the proposed projects and that will be used to evidence accomplishments under the HOPWA performance measures. These goals and objectives (i.e., specific, achievable and time-limited statements) will be a basis for a review of project outcomes and help establish the nature of possible findings that would be disseminated to the benefit of other projects.

As standard, program-wide performance measures, applicants should use the following:

(1) In the area to be served, increase the number of short-term housing units (that may include access to related supportive services) by an estimated "xx" by the end of the program year. For example, a transitional program that provides five units that are used in conjunction with drug and/or alcohol abuse treatment and counseling and/or mental health services with a plan for client outplacement to other housing.

(2) In the area to be served, increase the number of permanent housing units by an estimated "xx" by the end of the program year. For example, a program designed to offer 25 rental vouchers and assistance to participants in finding housing with access to service components that could assist clients in maintaining daily living activities through an appropriate range of support.

(B) Performance Benchmarks. Funds received under this competition are expected to be expended within 3 years following the date of the signing of a grant agreement. As a condition of the grant, selected projects are expected to undertake activities based on the following performance benchmarks:

(1) A project that involves the acquisition or leasing of a site is required to gain site control within one year of their selection (i.e, one year from the date of the signing of their selection letter by HUD);

(2) If the project is proposing to use HOPWA funds to undertake rehabilitation or new construction activities, the project is required to begin the rehabilitation or construction within 18 months of their selection and to complete the activity within 3 years of that date; and

(3) Except for a project that involves HOPWA-funded rehabilitation or construction activities, the project is required to begin program operations within one year of their selection. If a selected project does not meet the appropriate performance benchmark, HUD reserves the right to cancel or withdraw the grant selection or otherwise deobligate awarded funds. In exercising this right, the Secretary may waive a termination action in cases that HUD determines evidence that the delay and failure to meet the performance benchmark are due to factors that were beyond the control of the grantee.

(C) Availability of FY 1998 Formula Allocations. In FY 1998, a total of $183.6 million was allocated by formula to the qualifying cities for 59 eligible metropolitan statistical areas (EMSAs) and to 29 eligible States for areas outside of EMSAs. All HOPWA formula grants are available as part of the jurisdiction's Consolidated Plan, which also includes the Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships program, and Emergency Shelter Grants. Plans are developed through a public process that assesses area needs, creates a multiple-year strategy and proposes an action plan for use of Federal funds and other community resources in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. Information on consolidated planning, including HOPWA formula programs, is available on the HUD HOME Page at www.hud.gov/cpd/cpdallst.html.

III. Application Selection Process.

(A) HOPWA Application Reviews. HOPWA Applications will be reviewed to ensure that they meet the threshold requirements found in Section II of the General Section of the Super NOFA. Applications will also be reviewed to ensure that:

(1) A Certification of Consistency with Consolidated Plans is provided. Under the HOPWA program, proposed activities that are located in a jurisdiction are required to be consistent with the jurisdiction's current, approved Consolidated Plan, including the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing and the Action Plan to address these impediments, except that this certification is not required for projects that propose to undertake activities on a national basis; and

(2) The applicant is currently in compliance with the Federal requirements contained in 24 CFR part 574, subpart G, "Other Federal Requirements."

(B) The HOPWA Competition. This national competition will involve the review, rating, and selection of HOPWA applications under each of the two categories of assistance (Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS), and Long-Term Comprehensive Strategies (Long-Term) in areas that do not qualify for HOPWA formula allocations).

(C) Procedures for the Rating of Applications. HOPWA applications will be rated based on the criteria listed below. The rating factors are common for all applications, except that some elements are specific for an application that is submitted under the Special Projects of National Significance category, and other elements are specific for an application that is submitted under the second category for Projects that are part of Long-Term Comprehensive Strategies in areas that do not qualify for HOPWA formula allocations.

(D) Factors For Award Used to Evaluate and Rate Applications. The factors for rating and ranking applicants, and maximum points for each factor, are provided below. The points awarded for the factors total 100. In addition, bonus points available under Section III(C)(2) of the General Section of this SuperNOFA apply to this competition. After rating, these applications will be placed in the rank order of their final score for selection within the appropriate category of assistance.

Rating Factor 1: Capacity of the Applicant and Project Sponsors and Relevant Organizational Experience (20 Points)

This factor addresses the extent to which the applicant and any project sponsor has the organizational resources necessary to successfully implement the proposed activities in a timely manner.

HUD will award up to 20 points based on the ability of the applicant and any project sponsor to develop and operate the proposed program, such as housing development, management of housing facilities or units, and service delivery, in relation to which entity is carrying out an activity.

(1) With regard to both the applicant and the project sponsor(s), HUD will consider:

(a) Past experience and knowledge in serving persons with HIV/AIDS and their families;

(b) Past experience and knowledge in programs similar to those proposed in the application;

(c) Experience and knowledge in monitoring and evaluating program performance and disseminating information on project outcomes; and

(d) The applicant's past experience as measured by expenditures and measurable progress in achieving the purpose for which funds were provided.

(2) In reviewing the elements of paragraph (1), HUD will consider the extent to which the proposal demonstrates:

(a) The knowledge and experience of the proposed project director and staff, including the day-to-day program manager, consultants and contractors in planning and managing the kind of activities for which funding is being requested. The applicant and any project sponsor will be judged in terms of recent, relevant and successful experience of their staff to undertake eligible program activities, including experience and knowledge in serving persons with HIV/AIDS and their families.

(b) The applicant's and/or sponsor's experience in managing complex interdisciplinary programs, especially those involving housing and community development programs directly relevant to the work activities proposed and carrying out grant management responsibilities.

(c) If the applicant and/or sponsor received funding in previous years in the program area for which they are currently seeking funding, the applicant's or sponsor's past experience will be evaluated in terms of their ability to attain demonstrated measurable progress in the implementation of their recent grant awards, as measured by expenditures and measurable progress in achieving the purpose for which funds were provided.

Rating Factor 2: Need/Extent of the Problem (20 Points)

This factor addresses the extent to which there is a need for funding the proposed program activities and an indication of the urgency of meeting the need in the target area. For up to 15 points, HUD will award points as follows under paragraphs (1) to (3), and 5 points under paragraph (4).

(1) (5 Points) AIDS Cases. Up to five of these points will be determined by the relative numbers of AIDS cases and per capita AIDS incidence, in metropolitan areas of over 500,000 population and in areas of a State outside of these metropolitan areas, in the State for proposals involving state-wide activities, and in the nation for proposals involving nation-wide activities. To determine these points, HUD will obtain AIDS surveillance information from the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

(2) (5 Points) Description of Need. Up to five of these points will be determined by the extent to which there is a need for funding eligible activities in the area to be served. The applicant should demonstrate that the area to be served has an urgent and unmet need in the eligible population, as follows:

(a) The applicant should describe in its application for a proposed Special Project of National Significance, the need that is not currently addressed by other projects or programs in the area, any unresolved or emerging issues, and/or the need to provide new or alternative forms of assistance that enhance area systems of housing and related care for persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families; or

(b) The applicant should describe in its application for a proposed project that is part of a Long-Term Comprehensive Strategy in an area that does not receive a HOPWA formula allocation, the need that is not currently addressed by other projects or programs in the area, any unresolved or emerging issues, and/or the need to provide forms of assistance that enhance the community's strategy for providing housing and related services to eligible persons.

HUD will consider the application's presentation of statistics and data sources based on soundness and reliability and the specificity of information to the target population and the area to be served. To the extent that the jurisdiction's Consolidated Plan and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice, Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance plans, comprehensive HIV/AIDS housing plans and other sources are applicable and identify the level of the problem and the urgency in meeting the need, references to these documents should be included in the response. If the application proposes to serve a subpopulation of eligible persons on the basis that these persons have been traditionally underserved, the application must document the need for this targeted effort.

(3) (5 Points) Need in Non-Formula Areas and for Renewals.  Within the points available under this criterion, HUD will award points under the following two circumstances:

(a) An application that proposes to serve clients in an area that does not qualify for HOPWA formula allocation. HUD recognizes that the clients in these areas that benefit under the proposed project do not have access to HOPWA formula allocations that distribute 90 percent of the annual appropriation for this program; or

(b) An application that proposes to continue the operations of HOPWA funded activities that have been supported by HOPWA competitive funds in prior years and that have operated with reasonable success. An applicant has operated with reasonable success if it shows that previous HOPWA-funded activities have been carried out and are nearing completion of the planned activities in a timely manner. The applicant should also show that performance reports were provided and that benchmarks, if any, in program development and operation have been met, and that the number of persons assisted is comparable to the number that was planned at the time of application.

(4) (5 Points) Highest Rated in a State or the Nation (for nationwide activities). After the other rating factors have been determined, HUD will award five of the points to help achieve greater geographic diversity in funding activities within a variety of States. Under this criterion, five points will be awarded to the highest rated application under each category in each State and to the highest rated application among the applications that propose nationwide activities.

(5) Up to two (2) additional points will be awarded to any application submitted by the City of Dallas, Texas, to the extent this subfactor is addressed. Due to an order of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division, with respect to any application submitted by the City of Dallas, Texas, HUD's consideration of this subfactor will consider the extent to which the applicant's plan for the use of HOPWA funds will be used to eradicate the vestiges of racial segregation in the Dallas Housing Authority's programs consistent with the Court's order.

Rating Factor 3: Soundness of Approach: Responsiveness and Model Qualities (40 Points)

This factor addresses the quality of the applicant's proposed plan in providing a clear relationship between the proposed activities, community needs and the purpose of the program funding. HUD will award up to 40 points based on the extent to which the proposal shows a soundness in its approach to assisting HOPWA eligible persons.

(1) (20 Points) Responsiveness. Of the points available under this criteria, HUD will award up to 20 points based on the proposal's responsiveness to the needs of clients. HUD will consider the extent to which the proposed activities address area needs for the project. The proposal should demonstrate that:
(a) The proposed activities respond to the need for housing and related supportive services for eligible persons in the community. Under this NOFA, HUD is requiring that an application that proposes to use HOPWA funds for supportive services only should clearly demonstrate that the housing needs of eligible persons in the area are addressed through other means to ensure that the proposal fits within the purposes of this program;

(b) The proposed activities will offer a personalized response to the needs of clients that maximizes opportunities for independent living, including accessibility of housing units and other structures, and in the case of a family, accommodates the needs of families.

(c) The proposed activities will result in tangible benefits for the community and for persons with HIV/AIDS and their families, including persons who have been traditionally underserved, as documented by the applicant under Factor 2 in the application's description of need.

(d) In relation to technical assistance activities proposed in the application, the proposed activities respond to the technical assistance needs of programs that provide or seek to provide housing and related supportive services for HOPWA-eligible persons.

(2) (15 Points) Model Qualities. Of the points available under this criteria, HUD will award up to 15 points based on the proposal's model qualities in offering or expanding housing opportunities for persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families. The proposal should demonstrate that the design, planning, operation, coordination with health-care and other supportive services, management oversight, and evaluation of activities are appropriate and sufficiently shown to serve as a model for replication in other similar communities.

HUD will consider the extent to which the application demonstrates that the proposed activities will result in measurable accomplishments that serve as a Special Project of National Significance, when compared to other applications and projects funded under this category in the past; or a Project that is part of a Long-Term Comprehensive Strategy for providing housing and related supportive services for HOPWA-eligible persons in areas of the nation that do not receive HOPWA formula allocations.

Under this criterion, the highest rating will be given to applications that demonstrate:

(a) That the proposed activities will be undertaken using technically competent methodologies for conducting the work to be performed that may include a cost-effective plan for designing, organizing, and carrying out the proposed activities. The proposed cost estimates should be reasonable for the work to be performed and consistent with rates established for the level of expertise required to perform the work in the proposed geographic area. All activities that include rehabilitation, construction, weatherization, lead-based paint removal, and other activities related to site and design must meet or exceed local building codes.

(b) A potential for yielding a "best practice" that can be replicated and disseminated to other organizations, including nonprofit organizations and State and local governments. HUD will assess the transferability of results in terms of model programs or lessons learned from the work performed under the award. If selected, the applicant will be required to prepare an analysis of best practices as part of their reports to HUD that may be used by HUD to inform others who may be interested in learning from the experiences gained from the work performed under awards funded through this NOFA.

(c) In the case of a project that is part of a Long-Term Comprehensive Strategy in an area that does not receive a HOPWA formula allocation, that the proposed project is part of a community strategy involving local, metropolitan, or State-wide planning and coordination of housing programs designed to meet the changing needs of low-income persons with HIV/AIDS and their families, including programs providing housing assistance and related services that are operated by Federal, State, local, private, and other entities serving eligible persons.

(3) (5 Points) Innovation. Of the points available under this factor, HUD will award up to five points for an application that demonstrates innovation in the provision of housing for persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families.

HUD will consider the extent to which the project involves a new program for, or alternative method of, meeting the needs of eligible persons, when compared to other HOPWA applications under this notice and HOPWA projects funded in the past. HUD will consider the extent to which the project design, management plan, proposed effects, local planning and coordination of housing programs, and proposed activities help to ensure that the innovation or innovative quality will benefit eligible persons. HUD will also consider the extent to which the proposal provides for the evaluation of this innovation or quality in order to measure the benefit(s) and allow for the dissemination of information on the success of the proposed activities in assisting eligible persons and/or in establishing or operating systems of housing and related care for eligible persons. Under this criterion, the highest rating will be given to applications that demonstrate innovation in a clear and reasonable manner and the innovation is likely, in HUD's view, to be effective in addressing needs.

Rating Factor 4: Leveraging Resources (10 Points)

This factor addresses the ability of the applicant to secure community resources which can be combined with HUD's program resources to achieve program purposes. HUD will award up to 10 points based on the extent to which resources from other public or private sources have been committed to support the project at the time of application. Exhibit 4 of the application kit provides guidance on the appropriate language that applicant's must use to document these leveraged resources.

In establishing leveraging, HUD will not consider other HOPWA-funded activities, entitlement benefits inuring to eligible persons, or conditioned commitments that depend on future fund-raising or actions. In assessing the use of acceptable leveraged resources, HUD will consider the likelihood that State and local resources will be available and continue during the operating period of the grant. In evaluating this factor HUD will also consider:

(1) The extent to which the applicant documents leveraged resources, such as funding and/or in-kind services from governmental entities, private organizations, resident management organizations, educational institutions, or other entities in order to achieve the purposes of the project for which the applicant is requesting HOPWA funds.

(2) The extent to which the documented resources evidence that the applicant has partnered with other entities to make more effective use of available public or private resources. Partnership arrangements may include, but are not limited to, funding or in-kind services from local governments or government agencies, nonprofit or for-profit entities, private organizations, educational institutions, or other entities that are willing to partner with the applicant on proposed activities in order to leverage resources, or partnering with other program funding recipients to make more effective use of resources within the geographic area covered by the award.

Rating Factor 5: Comprehensiveness and Coordination (10 Points)

This factor addresses the extent to which the applicant coordinated its activities with other known organizations, participates or promotes participation in a community's Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance planning process (if homeless persons are to be served by proposed activities), the jurisdiction's Consolidated Planning process, and is working towards addressing a need in a holistic and comprehensive manner through linkages with other activities in the community. HUD will award up to 10 points based on the proposal's comprehensiveness and coordination. In order to ensure that resources are used to their maximum effect within the community, it is important that organizations seeking funds under this program be involved in HUD's planning processes for community development and homeless assistance resources. If an applicant, sponsor or other involved organization has been involved in these processes, that involvement should be described under this factor.

HUD will consider the extent to which the proposal describes how activities were planned and are proposed to be carried out with HOPWA funds and other resources in order to provide a comprehensive and responsive range of housing and related supportive services to meet the changing needs of eligible persons. The proposal should demonstrate that housing is provided in conjunction with the client's access to health-care and other supportive services in the area to be served, including assistance provided under the Ryan White CARE Act programs.

In evaluating this factor, HUD will consider the extent to which the applicant demonstrates it has:

(1) Coordinated its proposed activities with those of other groups or organizations prior to submission in order to best complement, support, and coordinate all known activities, and if funded, the specific steps it will take to share information on solutions and outcomes with others. Any written agreements, memoranda of understanding in place, or that will be in place after award should be described.

(2) Been actively involved in its community's Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance planning process (if homeless persons are to be served by proposed activities), and/or the jurisdiction's Consolidated Planning process established to identify and address a need/problem that is related in whole, or part, directly, or indirectly to the activities the applicant proposes.

In the case of technical assistance providers, the applicant will be evaluated on the specific steps it will take to work with recipients of technical assistance services to inform them of, and get them involved in, the community's Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance planning process and/or the jurisdiction's Consolidated Planning process, as applicable. HUD will review more favorably those applicants who can demonstrate they are active, or in the case of technical assistance providers, will work with recipients of technical assistance to get them involved in these local and State planning process.

(3) Developed linkages, or the specific steps it will take to develop linkages with other activities, programs or projects through meetings, information networks, planning processes, or other mechanisms to coordinate its activities so solutions are holistic and comprehensive, including linkages with:

(a) Other HUD-funded projects/activities outside the scope of those covered by the Consolidated Plan; and

(b) Other activities funded by the Federal, State, or local government, including those proposed or on-going in the community.

(E) Selection of HOPWA Awards. Whether an HOPWA application is conditionally selected will depend on its overall ranking compared to other applications within each of the two categories of assistance. HUD will select applications in rank order in each category of assistance to the extent that funds are available, except as noted below. In allocating amounts to the categories of assistance, HUD reserves the right to ensure that sufficient funds are available for the selection of at least one application under each category of assistance.

HUD reserves the right to achieve greater diversity in the selection of applications (i.e., by selecting a lower rated application), in the case that an application demonstrates a great unmet need and no applicant in that State has been the recipient of any prior HOPWA competitive grant or formula allocation. In selecting a lower rated application in order to achieve greater diversity under this paragraph (i.e. resulting in funding activities within a variety of states), HUD will not select an application that is rated below 50 points.

In the event of a tie between applications in a category of assistance, HUD reserves the right to break the tie: by selecting the proposal that increases geographic diversity as defined in the prior paragraph; and, if greater geographic diversity is not achievable, by subsequently designating as the higher rated proposal, that proposal which was scored higher on a rating criterion, taken in the following order until the tie is broken: the Soundness of Approach: Responsiveness and Model Qualities (Rating Factor 3); Comprehensiveness and Coordination (Rating Factor 5); the Capacity of the Applicant and Relevant Organizational Experience (Rating Factor 1); the Need/Extent of the Problem (Rating Factor 2); and Leveraging Resources (Rating Factor 4).

HUD will notify conditionally selected applicants in writing. Such applicants will subsequently be notified of any modification made by HUD, the additional project information necessary for grant award, and the date of deadline for submission of such information. In the event that a conditionally-selected applicant is unable to meet any conditions for fund award within the specified timeframe or funds are deobligated under a grant awarded under this competition, HUD reserves the right not to award funds to the applicant, but instead to: use those funds to make awards to the next highest rated applications in this competition; to restore amounts to a funding request that had been reduced in this competition; or to add amounts to funds available for the next competition.

IV. Application Submission Requirements.

The HOPWA application kit provides an application that must be used in applying for program funds under this NOFA. The HOPWA application provides certifications and an SF-424 that are applicable to this program, and HOPWA applicants are not required to provide the forms, certifications, and assurances listed in Section II(G) of the General Section of the SuperNOFA. Section II(D) of the General Section of this SuperNOFA regarding Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing does not apply to the HOPWA program.

All HOPWA applications must contain the following items:

(A) Transmittal Letter. This letter identifies which program under the SuperNOFA for which funds are requested and the dollar amount requested.

(B) Narrative Statements. The HOPWA application provides for narrative statements that address the Factors for Award found at Section III(D) of this NOFA.

(C) Service Areas. The HOPWA application provides for a statement to identify the area(s) in which the application proposes to offer housing and/or services.

(D) Budget. The budget should be submitted on the form found in the HOPWA Application Kit, in lieu of the standard budget form under the General Section of this SuperNOFA.

V. Corrections to Deficient Applications.

The General Section of the SuperNOFA provides the procedures for corrections to deficient applications.

VI. Environmental Requirements.

All HOPWA assistance is subject to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, applicable related Federal environmental authorities, and the environmental review requirements in 24 CFR 574.510. HUD's conditional selection of an application does not constitute approval of a proposed site. Before an applicant or project sponsor may acquire, rehabilitate, convert, lease, repair or construct properties to provide housing, or commit Federal or non-Federal funds to such activities, HUD will perform an environmental review with respect to a proposed property in accordance with 24 CFR part 50.

VII. Section 3

To the extent that any housing assistance (including rental assistance) funded through this program section of the SuperNOFA is used for housing rehabilitation (including reduction and abatement of lead-based paint hazards, but excluding routine maintenance, repair, and replacement) or housing construction, then it is subject to section 3 of the Housing and Urban Rehabilitation Act of 1968, and the implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 135. Section 3, as amended, requires that economic opportunities generated by certain HUD financial assistance for housing and community development programs shall, to the greatest extent feasible, be given to low- and very low-income persons, particularly those who are recipients of government assistance for housing, and to businesses that provide economic opportunities for these persons.

Return to the 1998 Funds Available