FUNDING AVAILABILITY FOR THE HEALTHY HOMES DEMONSTRATION AND EDUCATION PROGRAM Program Overview Purpose of the Program. The purpose of the Healthy Homes Demonstration and Education Program is to develop, demonstrate and promote cost effective, preventive measures to correct multiple safety and health hazards in the home environment which produce serious diseases and injuries in children. HUD is interested in reducing health threats to the maximum number of residents, especially children, in a cost efficient manner. Available Funds. Approximately $5.5 million. Eligible Applicants. Not-for-profit institutions, and for-profit firms located in the U.S., State and local governments, and Federally- recognized Indian Tribes are eligible to apply. For-profit firms are not allowed to include a fee in the cost proposal (i.e., no profit can be made from the project). Federal agencies and federal employees are not eligible to apply for this program. Application Deadline. May 17, 2001. Match. None. Additional Information If you are interested in applying for funding under this initiative, please review carefully the General Section of this SuperNOFA and the following additional information. I. Application Due Date, Application Kits, Further Information, and Technical Assistance Application Due Date. Your completed application (an original and four copies) is due on or before 12:00 midnight, Eastern time, on May 17, 2001, at the address shown below. See the General Section of the SuperNOFA for specific procedures concerning the form of application submission (e.g., mailed applications, express mail, overnight deliver, or hand carried). Address for Submitting Applications. For Mailed Applications. The address for mailed applications is: Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Room P3206, Washington, DC 20410. For Overnight/Express Mail or Hand Carried Applications. The address for applications that are hand carried or sent via overnight/ express mail delivery is: HUD Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control, Suite 3206, 490 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20024. Hand carried applications will be accepted at this address (490 L'Enfant) up until 5 pm on the application due date. After 5 pm on the application due date, hand carried applications will be accepted until 12:00 midnight, in the South Lobby of HUD Headquarters, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410. For Application Kits. You may obtain an application kit from the SuperNOFA Information Center at 1-800-HUD-8929, or the TTY number at 1- 800-HUD-2209. When requesting an application kit, please refer to Healthy Homes Demonstration and Education Program. Please be sure to provide your name, address (including zip code), and telephone number (including area code). Alternatively, you may obtain an application kit by downloading it from the internet at http://www.hud.gov. For Further Information and Technical Assistance. You may contact Ms. Ellen Taylor, Planning and Standards Division, Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control, at the address above; telephone (202) 755-1785, extension 116, or Ms. Karen Williams, Grants Officer, extension 118 (these are not toll-free numbers). Hearing- and speech- impaired persons may access the above telephone numbers via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877- 8339. Satellite Broadcast. HUD will hold an information broadcast via satellite for potential applicants to learn more about the program and preparation of the application. For more information about the date and time of the broadcast, you should consult the HUD web site at http:// www.hud.gov. II. Amount Allocated Approximately $5.5 million will be available in FY 2001. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis following evaluation of all proposals according to the Rating Factors described in Section V(C). HUD anticipates that approximately 6 to 8 grants will be awarded, ranging from approximately $250,000 to approximately $1,000,000. III. Program Description; Eligible Applicants; Eligible Activities (A) Program Description. (1) Background. In the FY 2001 Budget, HUD received a third year of funding to continue the Healthy Homes Initiative (sometimes referred to as the ``Initiative'' or ``HHI'') that protects children from housing conditions responsible for multiple diseases and injuries. The Initiative departs from the more traditional approach of attempting to correct one hazard at a time (e.g., asbestos, radon). In April 1999, HUD submitted to Congress a preliminary plan containing a full description of the Initiative. This description (Summary and Full Report) is available on the HUD website at www.hud.gov/offices/lead. The Healthy Homes Initiative builds upon HUD's existing housing- related health and safety issues, including lead hazard control, building structural safety, electrical safety, and fire protection to address multiple childhood diseases and injuries related to housing in a more coordinated fashion. A coordinated effort is feasible because a limited number of building deficiencies contribute to many hazards. Substantial savings are possible using this approach, because separate visits to a home by an inspector, public health nurse, or outreach worker can add significant costs to efforts to eliminate hazards. In addition to deficiencies in basic housing facilities that may impact health, changes in the U.S. housing stock and more sophisticated epidemiological methods and biomedical research have led to the identification of new and often more subtle health hazards in the residential environment (e.g., indoor air quality hazards). While such hazards will tend to be found disproportionately in housing that is substandard (e.g., structural problems, lack of adequate heat, etc.), such housing-related environmental hazards may also exist in housing that is otherwise of good quality. Appendix A to the Healthy Homes (HH) Demonstration and Education program section of the SuperNOFA briefly describes the housing-associated health and injury hazards HUD considers key targets for intervention. Appendix B to the HH Demonstration and Education program section of the SuperNOFA lists the references that serve as the basis for the information provided in this section of the SuperNOFA. HUD is interested in promoting approaches that are cost-effective and efficient and that result in the reduction of health threats for the maximum number of residents for the long run, and in particular low-income children. The overall goals and objectives of the HHI are: (1) Mobilize public and private resources, involving cooperation among all levels of government, the private sector, and community-based organizations to develop the most promising, cost-effective methods for identifying and controlling housing-based hazards. [[Page 11896]] (2) Build local capacity to operate sustainable programs that will continue to prevent and, where they occur, minimize and control housing-based hazards in low and very low income residences when HUD funding is exhausted. (3) Affirmatively further fair housing and environmental justice. (B) Healthy Homes Demonstration and Education Activities. Through the Healthy Homes Demonstration and Education program, HUD will initiate projects to promote implementation of available risk reduction techniques for the control of key hazards described in Appendix A. HUD has decided to initiate the HH Demonstration and Education projects through this competition. There are two categories of grants being awarded. These are: Demonstration projects implementing housing assessment, maintenance, renovation and construction techniques to identify and correct housing-related illness and injury risk factors, and Education projects disseminating healthy homes information and replicating successful interventions. HUD will evaluate proposals based on the elements described below. Although you are expected to focus your efforts in one of the two categories, the activities of a proposed project may also address the other category. Applicants are required to be specific as to the locations where they are targeting their intervention activities to occur, the residents, individuals, or groups targeted to receive interventions, and the organizations targeted to continue to operate effective intervention strategies over the life of the award and hereafter. (1) Demonstration Projects. Objectives to be addressed by these projects are: (a) Identification of target areas and homes where intervention would be appropriate. (b) Identification and evaluation of effective methods of hazard abatement and risk reduction. (c) Development of appropriately-scaled, flexible, cost-effective and efficient intervention strategies that take into account the range of conditions likely to be encountered in older housing, and that maximize the number of housing units that receive an intervention. (d) Development of methodologies for evaluating intervention effectiveness. (e) Development of local capacity in target areas and target groups to operate sustainable programs to prevent and control housing-based hazards, especially in low and very-low income residences. (f) Development of a cost-effective protocol for identifying homes that are candidates for interventions, identifying hazards in these homes, and screening out homes where structural or other condition factors (e.g., cost) make interventions infeasible or impractical. (2) Education Projects. Objectives to be addressed by these projects are: (a) Development and delivery of public outreach programs to prevent and eradicate both emerging and well-recognized housing-related childhood diseases and injuries, and promote the use of identified solutions. (b) Increased identification and control of housing based hazards through education and outreach to specific high-risk communities and other identified audiences such as health care deliverers, pregnant women, children, residential construction contractors, maintenance personnel, housing inspectors, real estate professionals, home buyers and homeowners. (c) Implementation of media strategies to use print, radio and television to increase public awareness of housing related hazards that threaten children. (d) Dissemination of materials that inform parents and caregivers about housing-related hazards and enable them to take prompt corrective action. (C) Eligible Activities. The following direct activities and support activities are eligible under this grant program. (1) Direct Project Elements (activities conducted by you and any sub-recipients): (a) Performing evaluations of eligible housing to determine the presence of housing-based hazards (e.g., mold growth, allergens, unvented appliances, exposed steam pipes or radiators, deteriorated lead-based paint) through the use of generally accepted testing procedures. (b) Conducting medical examinations of young children for conditions caused or exacerbated by exposure to hazards where this is considered essential to your project, and there are no alternative sources to cover these costs. (c) Conducting housing interventions to remediate existing housing- based hazards and address conditions that could result in their recurrence. Any lead hazard evaluation and control work shall be conducted by certified performers in accordance with the HUD Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing (``Guidelines'') and applicable regulations. You may obtain the Guidelines and applicable regulations by downloading them from the Internet at http://www.hud.gov/offices/lead. All pest control activities shall incorporate the principles and methods of integrated pest management (IPM). (d) Carrying out temporary relocation of families and individuals, when necessary, during the period in which intervention is conducted and until the time the affected unit receives clearance for reoccupancy. Residents relocated must be guaranteed the choice of returning to the unit after the intervention. (e) Performing medical testing recommended by a physician or applicable occupational or public health agency for individuals in hazardous conditions and environmental sampling to protect the health of the intervention workers, supervisors, and contractors. (f) Undertaking housing rehabilitation activities that are specifically required to carry out effective control of housing-based hazards, and without which the intervention could not be completed and maintained. Grant funds under this program may also be used to control lead-based paint hazards, but such controls may not be a principal focus of the grant. (g) Conducting clearance testing and analysis for lead, mold, carbon monoxide and/or other toxins as appropriate, with respect to generally accepted standards or criteria, or where not available, other appropriate levels justified in conjunction with the project. (h) Carrying out architectural, engineering and work specification development and other construction management services to control housing-based hazards and remediate existing hazards. (i) Providing training on safe maintenance practices to homeowners, renters, painters, remodelers, and housing maintenance staff working in low- or very-low income housing. (j) Providing cleaning supplies for hazard intervention and hazard control to community/neighborhood-based organizations for use by homeowners and tenants in low-income housing, or to such homeowners, and tenants directly. (k) Conducting general or targeted community education programs on environmental health and safety hazards. This activity would include training on safe maintenance and renovation practices, among other topics, and further fair housing and environmental justice goals. It would also include making materials available, upon request, in alternative formats for persons with disabilities (e.g., Braille, audio, large type), and in languages other than English that are common in the community, whenever possible. (l) Securing liability insurance for hazard intervention and hazard [[Page 11897]] evaluation and control activities to be performed. (m) Supporting data collection, analysis, and evaluation of project activities. This activity is separate from administrative costs. (n) Conducting activities directed at demonstration of cost- effective evaluation and intervention methods for assessing and preventing housing-based hazards. (o) Maintaining a registry (updated at least monthly) of housing units in which housing-based hazards were not found during evaluation, and those in which such problems and hazards have been controlled. Units on the registry should be given priority for affirmatively marketing to low-income families with young children and such families should be given preference for occupancy when they are vacant. (p) Preparing quarterly progress reports and an overall final grant report detailing activities (e.g., number of units tested, types of interventions provided, evaluation of most cost efficient methodologies by type of unit), findings, and recommended future actions for cost effective interventions, at the conclusion of grant activities. (2) Support Elements. (a) Your administrative costs. (b) Program planning and management costs of sub-grantees and other sub-recipients. (D) Ineligible Activities (1) Purchase of real property. (2) Purchase or lease of equipment having a per unit cost in excess of $5,000, unless prior written approval is obtained from HUD. (3) Medical treatment costs. IV. Program Requirements In addition to program requirements listed in the General Section of the SuperNOFA, you, the applicant must comply with the following requirements: (A) Budgeting--Administrative Costs. There is a 10% maximum for administrative costs. The application kit contains specific information on allowable administrative costs. (B) Period of Performance. The period of performance cannot exceed 36 months from the time of the award. (C) Coastal Barrier Resources Act. Pursuant to the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (16 U.S.C. 3501), funds may not be used for properties located in the Coastal Barrier Resources System. (D) Flood Disaster Protection Act. Under the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4001-4128), funds may not be used for construction, reconstruction, repair or improvement of a building or mobile home which is located in an area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as having special flood hazards unless: (1) The community in which the area is situated is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program in accordance with the applicable regulations (44 CFR parts 59-79), or less than a year has passed since FEMA notification regarding these hazards; and (2) Where the community is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, flood insurance on the property is obtained in accordance with section 102(a) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act (42 U.S.C. 4012a(a)). You are responsible for assuring that flood insurance is obtained and maintained for the appropriate amount and term. (E) National Historic Preservation Act. The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 470) (NHPA) and the regulations at 36 CFR part 800 apply to the mold intervention and related hazard control activities that are undertaken pursuant to this program. HUD and the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation have developed an optional Model Agreement for use by grantees and State Historic Preservation Officers in carrying out any lead hazard control activities under this program. This must be obtained from the SuperNOFA Information Center at 1-800-HUD-8929. (F) Waste Disposal. Waste disposal will be handled according to the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) (e.g., 29 CFR part 1910 and/or 1926, as applicable), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (e.g., 40 CFR parts 61, 260-282, 300-374, and/or 700-799, as applicable), the Department of Transportation (e.g., 49 CFR parts 171-177), and/or appropriate State or local regulatory agency(ies). Disposal of wastes from intervention activities that contain lead-based paint but are not classified as hazardous will be handled in accordance with the HUD Guidelines and applicable EPA regulations and guidance. (G) Worker Protection Procedures. You must comply with the requirements of OSHA (e.g., 29 CFR part 1910 and/or 1926, as applicable), or the State or local occupational safety and health regulations, whichever are most stringent. (H) Written Policies and Procedures. You must have written policies and procedures for all phases of intervention, including evaluation, development of specifications, financing, occupant relocation, independent project inspection, and clearance testing (e.g., for mold, lead, carbon monoxide or other hazards, as applicable). You and all your subcontractors, sub-recipients, and their contractors must comply with these policies and procedures. (I) Clearance Testing for Lead Hazard Control Activities. Clearance dust testing for lead hazard control activities must be conducted according to the HUD Guidelines and the EPA lead hazards standards rule at 40 CFR 745 subparts D, L, and Q. You are required to meet the post- hazard control dust-wipe test clearance thresholds at 40 CFR 745.227(e)(8)(viii). Wipe tests shall be conducted by an appropriately certified individual who is independent of the lead hazard control contractor. Dust-wipe and soil samples and any paint samples to be analyzed by a laboratory, must be analyzed by a laboratory recognized by the EPA National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP). Units treated shall not be reoccupied until clearance is achieved. (J) Continued Availability of Safe Housing to Low-Income Families. Units in which housing-based hazards have been controlled under this program shall be occupied by and/or continue to be available to low- income residents for not less than 3 years following the completion of intervention activities according to Section 1011(a) of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 (Title X), as amended by Section 217 of Public Law 104-134 (the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996, 110 Stat. 1321, approved April 26, 1996). (K) Environmental Review. You must comply with HUD's regulations in 24 CFR 50.3(h) in carrying out responsibilities regarding HUD's environmental review. Recipients of a grant under this NOFA will be given guidance in these responsibilities. (L) Economic Opportunities for Low-and Very Low-Income Persons (Section 3). Recipients of assistance must comply with Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, 12 U.S.C. 1701u (Economic Opportunities for Low- and Very Low-Income Persons in Connection with Assisted Projects) and the HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 135, including the reporting requirements of subpart E. Section 3 requires recipients to ensure that, to the greatest extent feasible, training, employment and other economic opportunities will be directed to (1) low and very low income persons, particularly those who are recipients of government assistance for housing, and (2) business concerns which provide [[Page 11898]] economic opportunities to low and very low income persons. (M) Data collection and provision. You must collect, maintain and provide to HUD the data necessary to document the various approaches used to evaluate and control housing-based hazards, including evaluation and control methods, building conditions, medical and familial information (with confidentiality of individually-identifiable information ensured) in order to determine the effectiveness and relative cost of these methods. (N) Certifications and Assurances. You must include the certifications and assurances listed in Section II(G) of the General Section of the SuperNOFA with your application. (O) Davis-Bacon Act. The Davis-Bacon Act does not apply to this program. However, if program funds are used in conjunction with other Federal programs in which Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates apply, then Davis-Bacon provisions would apply to the extent required under the other Federal programs. V. Application Selection Process (A) Threshold Requirements. Please see Section III of the General Section of this SuperNOFA. As an applicant, you must meet all of the threshold requirements of Section II(B) of the General Section of the SuperNOFA. Applications that meet all of the threshold requirements will be eligible to be scored and ranked based on the total number of points allocated for each of the rating factors described below. Your application must receive a total score of at least 65 points to remain in consideration for funding. (B) Rating and Ranking. HUD intends to make awards to qualifying applications in the following order: STEP 1. An award will be made to the highest ranked application in each of the two categories listed in Section III(B) of this program section of the SuperNOFA within the limits of funding availability. If there are insufficient funds to award in both categories, HUD will make awards in the demonstration category (1), then the education category (2), in order. STEP 2. After following Step 1 if funding remains available, an award will be made each of the two categories, demonstration (1) and education (2), in order. STEP 3. After following Step 2 if funding remains available, awards will be made in rank order, regardless of category. You must state the category for which you are applying. If an applicant wishes to apply under more than one category they must submit a separate application for each category. While you will not be penalized for not addressing all the specific objectives within a given category, if two applications have equal scores, HUD will first select the applicant whose project addresses the most objectives. (C) Factors for Award Used to Evaluate and Rate Applications. This section provides the factors for rating and ranking your application and the maximum points for each factor. The maximum number of points to be awarded is 102. This maximum includes two EZ/EC bonus points as described in the General Section of the SuperNOFA. Also, Section III(C)(2) of the General Section, which addresses a court-ordered consideration, is applicable to this program. Rating Factor 1: Capacity of the Applicant and Relevant Organizational Experience (20 Points) This factor addresses your organizational capacity necessary to successfully implement your proposed activities in a timely manner. The rating of you or your staff includes any community-based organizations, sub-contractors, consultants, sub-recipients, and members of consortia that are firmly committed to your project. In rating this factor HUD will consider: (1) Your recent, relevant and successful demonstrated experience in undertaking eligible program activities. You must describe the knowledge and experience of the proposed overall project director and day-to-day project manager in planning and managing large and complex interdisciplinary programs, especially those involving housing rehabilitation, public health, or environmental programs. In your narrative response for this factor, you should include information on your project staff, their experience, commitment to the project, and position titles. Resumes of up to three (3) pages each and position descriptions for up to three personnel in addition to the project director and project manager, and a clearly delineated organizational chart for your project must be included as an appendix. Copies of job announcements (including salary range) should be included for any key positions that are currently vacant. Indicate the percentage of time that key personnel will devote to your project and any salary costs to be paid by funds from this program. Include descriptions of the experience and qualifications of subcontractors and consultants. (2) Your qualifications to carry out the proposed activities as evidenced by experience, academic background, training, and/or relevant publications of project staff. (3) Whether you have sufficient personnel or will be able to quickly retain qualified experts or professionals to begin your proposed project immediately and to perform your proposed activities in a timely and effective fashion. Describe how principal components of your organization will participate in or support your project. You should thoroughly describe capacity, as demonstrated by experience in initiating and implementing related environmental, health, or housing projects. Rating Factor 2: Need/Extent of the Problem (15 Points) This factor addresses the extent to which there is a need for your proposed project activities to address documented problems, target area(s) and target groups. (1) Document a critical level of need for your proposed activities in the area where activities will be carried out. You should pay specific attention to documenting the need as it applies to your target area(s), rather than the larger geographic area. (2) Your documentation should summarize available data linking housing-based hazards to disease or injuries to children in your target area(s). Examples of data that might be used to demonstrate need, include: (a) Economic and demographic data relevant to your target area(s), including poverty and unemployment rates; (b) Rates of childhood illnesses or injuries (e.g., asthma, burns) that could be caused or exacerbated by exposure to conditions in the home environment, among children residing in your target area(s), and/ or rates of environmentally-related disease or adverse health effects (e.g., hypertension, elevated blood lead levels) in your target area(s); and (c) Unavailability of other Federal, State or local funding or private sector resources that could be, or is being, used to address the problem. (3) For the areas targeted for your project activities, provide data available in your jurisdiction's currently approved Consolidated Plan, or derived from 1990 Census Data, or derived from other sources, including the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice, AI, (all data should be documented) that address: (a) The age and condition of housing; (b) The number and percentage of very-low and low-income families with incomes less than 80% of the median income, as determined by HUD, for the area, with adjustments for smaller and [[Page 11899]] larger families (See application kit for additional information). (c) To the extent that statistics and other data contained in your community's Consolidated Plan or Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) support the extent of the problem, you should include references to the Consolidated Plan and the AI in your response. (d) Data documenting targeted groups that are traditionally underserved or have special needs. If the data presented in your response does not specifically represent your target area, you should discuss why the target areas are being proposed. If your application addresses needs that are in the Consolidated Plan, AI, court orders or consent decrees, settlements, conciliation agreements, and voluntary compliance agreements, you will receive more points than applicants that do not relate their project to identified need. Rating Factor 3: Soundness of Approach (45 Points) This factor addresses the quality and cost-effectiveness of your proposed work plan. You should present information on the proposed approach for addressing housing-based hazards and describe how proposed activities would help HUD achieve its goals for this program area. For you to receive maximum points for this factor, there must be a direct relationship between the proposed activities, community needs, and the purpose of the project. The response to this factor should include the following elements: (1) Strategy (25 points). Describe your project goals and objectives and the strategy you will use in planning and executing the project. You should provide information on the general approach and overall plan employed: (a) Baseline Plan for Project Management (10 points). Include a management plan that: (i) Lists the project objectives, major tasks and activities. All specific activities necessary to complete the proposed project must be included in the task listing; (ii) Identifies appropriate performance goals and benchmarks; (iii) Provides a schedule for the assignment and completion of major tasks and activities, and a timeframe for delivery; (iv) Designates resources and identifies responsible entities; and (v) Provides an estimate of per unit (or other appropriate apportionment) costs (and a basis for those estimates) for the type of interventions that are planned. (b) Budget Justification (2 points). Your proposed budget will be evaluated for the extent to which it is reasonable, clearly justified, and consistent with the project management plan and intended use of program funds. HUD is not required to approve or fund all proposed activities. Your budget should be submitted in the format recommended; an electronic spreadsheet is available on HUD's website, at www.hud.gov/lea/leaforms.html. You must thoroughly document and justify all budget categories and costs (Part B of Standard Form 424A) and all major tasks, for yourself, sub-recipients, partners, major subcontractors, joint venture participants, or others contributing resources to the project. Describe clearly and in detail your budgeted costs for each required program element (major task) included in your overall plan. (c) Project Evaluation (8 points). You are required to identify and discuss the specific methods you will use to measure progress towards your goals, track and report results of interventions, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions: (i) Discuss the performance goals for your project and identify specific outcome measures; (ii) Describe how the outcome information will be obtained, documented, and reported; and (P)(iii) Identify the major milestones for your project, and describe how your progress towards these milestones will be tracked, recorded and reported. (d) Economic Opportunity (5 points). To the greatest extent feasible, your project should promote job training, employment, and other economic opportunities for low-income and minority residents and businesses which are owned by, and/or employ, low-income and minority residents as defined in 24 CFR 135.5. You should: (i) Describe methods that will result in economic opportunities for residents and businesses in the community where activities will be carried out. Include information on how you will provide employment, business development, and contract opportunities; (ii) Describe how you or your partners will satisfy the requirements of Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to give preference to hiring low-and very low-income persons or contracting with businesses owned by or employing low-and very-low income persons; (iii) Describe how your proposed project will further and support the policy priorities of the Department, including providing opportunities for self-sufficiency, particularly for persons enrolled in welfare-to-work programs; or providing educational and job training opportunities; and (iv) Describe the extent to which your proposed activities will occur in an Empowerment Zone or Enterprise Community (EZ/EC), if applicable. (2) Approach for Implementing the Project (20 points). Describe your overall approach for your proposed project. The description must include a discussion of specific planned project activities which address one or more of the following categories: (a) Demonstration activities. (i) Describe in detail how you will identify, select, prioritize, and enroll units of eligible housing in which you will undertake housing-based hazards interventions, how you will integrate safe work practices into housing maintenance, repair, and improvements, and then target such units to low-income families with young children. You should use all reasonably available sources of information on controlling housing-based hazards in buildings and protecting workers and occupants during and after the intervention process. (ii) Describe any assessment tools you would employ to establish baseline data. (iii) Provide the estimated total number of owner occupied and/or rental units in which you will conduct interventions. (iv) Describe your process for evaluating units of eligible housing in which you will undertake housing-based hazard interventions. (v) Describe any specialized testing or visual inspection that you will conduct during unit inspection with reference to source(s) of the protocol(s). (vi) Discuss efforts to incorporate cost-effective methods to address multiple environmental health and safety hazards, and describe the specific interventions you will utilize to control housing-based hazards before children are affected; and/or to control these hazards in units where children have already been treated for illnesses or injuries associated with housing-based hazards (e.g., burns, lead poisoning, asthma). (vii) Describe the process for your referral of children for medical case management if this is not ongoing. (viii) Describe your process for the development of work specifications for the selected interventions. (ix) Describe your management processes to be used to ensure the cost-effectiveness of the housing interventions, and provide cost estimates per intervention and per unit. [[Page 11900]] (x) Discuss your contracting process to obtain contractors to conduct interventions in selected units. (xi) Describe your plan for the temporary relocation of occupants of units selected for intervention, if relocation is necessary, and how you will determine the need for relocation. Address the use of safe houses and other housing arrangements, storage of household goods, stipends, incentives, etc. (xii) Describe your plan for ensuring right of return and/or first referral for occupants of units selected for intervention who have had to move for intervention to occur. (xiii) Describe how you will affirmatively further fair housing. (xiv) Describe the financing strategy, including eligibility requirements, terms, conditions, and amounts available, to be employed in conducting housing-based hazards activities. You must discuss the way funds will be administered (e.g., use of grants, deferred loans, forgivable loans, other resources, private sector financing, etc.) as well as the agency which will administer the process. (b) Education Activities. This should include general and/or targeted efforts undertaken to assist your efforts in reducing exposure to housing-based hazards. You must describe: (i) Proposed methods of community education. These should include community awareness, education, training, and outreach programs in support of your work plan and objectives that are culturally sensitive, targeted, and linguistically appropriate. (ii) Proposed involvement of neighborhood or community-based organizations in the proposed activities. These activities may include outreach, community education, marketing, inspection, and housing evaluations and interventions. (iii) Proposed methods to reach high risk groups and communities, vulnerable populations and persons traditionally underserved (see Rating Factor 2(d)). Rating Factor 4: Leveraging Resources (10 Points) This factor addresses your ability to secure other community resources (such as financing, supplies or services) which can be combined with HUD's resources to achieve project purposes. (1) In evaluating this factor, HUD will consider the extent to which you have partnered with other entities to secure additional resources to increase the effectiveness of your proposed project. Describe how other organizations will participate in or support your project. Resources may include funding or in-kind contributions (such as services or equipment) allocated to your proposed project. Resources may be provided by governmental entities, public or private organizations, or other entities willing to be your partner in this effort. (2) Each source of contributions (financial or in-kind) must be supported by a letter of commitment from the contributing entity, whether a public or private source, which must describe the contributed resources that will be used in your project. Staff in-kind contributions should be given a market-based monetary value. If you fail to provide letters of commitment with specific details including the amount of the actual contributions, you will not get rating points for this factor. Each letter of commitment, memorandum of understanding, or agreement to participate shall include the organization's name and the proposed level of commitment and responsibilities as they relate to the proposed project. The commitment must be signed by an official legally able to make commitments on behalf of the organization. Rating Factor 5: Comprehensiveness and Coordination (10 Points) This factor addresses the extent to which your project reflects a coordinated, community-based process of identifying needs and building a system to address the needs by using available HUD and other community resources. In evaluating this factor, HUD will consider: (1) The degree of coordination of your proposed project with those of other groups or organizations to best support and coordinate all activities, and the specific steps you will take to share information on solutions and outcomes with others. Any written agreements or memoranda of understanding in place must be described. (2) The extent to which you have developed linkages, or the specific steps you will take to develop linkages, to coordinate your activities so solutions are holistic and comprehensive. Linkages include those with other HUD, Federal, State, the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Homebuilding (PATH) (see Section VI(E) of the General Section of the SuperNOFA), or locally funded activities through meetings, information networks, planning processes, or other means. (3) The degree of coordination with housing rehabilitation, housing and health inspection, and other related housing programs. (a) Describe your plan for integrating and coordinating housing- based hazard interventions with other housing-related activities (e.g., rehabilitation, weatherization, removal of code violations, and other similar work). (b) Describe your plans to consolidate housing-based hazard interventions with applicable housing codes and health regulations. (c) Describe your plans to generate and use public subsidies or other resources (such as revolving loan funds) to finance future interventions to prevent and control housing-based hazards, particularly in low-and very-low-income housing. (d) Detail the extent to which you will ensure that the needs of minorities and persons with disabilities will be addressed adequately during your intervention activities; and that housing in which environmental hazards have been addressed will remain available and affordable in the long run for low income, minority, large families, and for persons with disabilities. (4) If applicable, the application should demonstrate a knowledge of the target community's Consolidated Plan and/or Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice and detail the Consolidated Plan issue areas in which your organization participates. Describe the degree to which you have become actively involved (or if not currently active, the specific steps you will take to become active) in your community's Consolidated Planning and/or AI process established to identify and address a need/problem that is related in whole or part, directly, or indirectly the activities you propose. VI. Application Submission Requirements (A) Applicant Information. You should submit your application in accordance with the format and instructions contained in this program section of this SuperNOFA (the application kit repeats this information). The following is a checklist of required application contents. Your application must contain the items listed in this section (VI(A)). These items include the standard forms, certifications, and assurances listed in the General Section of the SuperNOFA that are applicable to this funding (collectively, referred to as the ``standard forms''). The standard forms can be found in Appendix B to the General Section of the SuperNOFA. The remaining application items that are forms (i.e., excluding such items as narratives), referred to as the ``non-standard forms'' can be found as Appendix C to this program section of [[Page 11901]] the SuperNOFA. The items are as follows: (1) Transmittal letter that summarizes your proposed project, provides the dollar amount requested, and identifies you and your partners in the application. (2) The name, mailing address, telephone number, and principal contact person. If you are a consortium of associates, sub-recipients, partners, major subcontractors, joint venture participants, or others contributing resources to the project, similar information shall also be provided for each of these entities and you must specify the lead entity. (3) Checklist and Submission Table of Contents. (4) Completed Forms HUD-2880, Applicant/Recipient Disclosure/Update Report; Certification Regarding Lobbying; and SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, where applicable. (5) Standard Forms SF-424, 424M, 424A, 424B, and other certifications and assurances listed in this program section. (6) A narrative statement addressing the rating factors for award. The narrative statement must be numbered in accordance with each factor for award (Rating Factors 1 through 5). The response to the rating factors must not exceed a total of 25 pages. Any pages in excess of this limit will not be read. (7) Any attachments, appendices, references, or other relevant information that directly support the narrative may accompany it, but must not exceed twenty (20) pages for your entire application. Any pages in excess of this limit will not be read. (8) A detailed budget with supporting cost justification for all budget categories of your funding request (in accordance with Rating Factor 3(1)(b)). This information will not be counted towards the page limits. (9) The resumes and position descriptions of your project director and project manager and up to three additional key personnel, not to exceed three pages each (in accordance with Rating Factor 1). This information will not be counted towards the page limits. VII. Corrections to Deficient Applications The General Section of the SuperNOFA provides the procedures for corrections to deficient applications. VIII. Environmental Requirements Activities assisted under this program are subject to HUD environmental review to the extent required under 24 CFR part 50. An award under the Healthy Homes Initiative does not constitute approval of specific sites where activities may be carried out. Following award execution, HUD will perform environmental reviews for activities to be carried out on properties proposed by your organization. You may not rehabilitate, convert, repair or construct a property, or commit or expend program funds or non-HUD funds for these program activities for any eligible property, until you receive written notification from the appropriate HUD official that HUD has completed its environmental review and the property has been approved. The results of environmental reviews may require that proposed activities be modified or proposed sites rejected. IX. Authority The authority for this program is Sections 501 and 502 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 and the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001, Pub.L. 106-377, approved October 27, 2000. Appendix A The following briefly describes the housing-associated health and injury hazards HUD considers key targets for intervention: Allergens and asthma: Experts estimate that 14 million Americans have asthma, with an associated annual cost of $14 billion. Asthma is now recognized as the leading cause of school and work absence, emergency room visits and hospitalization. For sensitized children, exposure to antigens from dust mites, certain pets, and cockroaches has been associated with more severe asthma. There is a preponderance of evidence showing a dose-response relationship between exposure and prevalence of asthma and allergies; some evidence also indicates that exposure to antigens early in life may predispose or hasten the onset of allergies and asthma. Dust mites have been identified as the largest trigger for asthma and allergies. Cockroach allergens appear to be excessive in 30-50% of inner-city housing and affect 5-15% of the population, whereas dust mite appears to be the dominant allergen in other environments. Interventions known to have beneficial effects include installation of impervious mattress and pillow covers, which can reduce allergen exposure by 90%. Other dust mite control measures include dehumidification, laundering bedding, and removal of carpets and other dust sinks. Cleaning carpets with tannic acid solution has also been demonstrated to greatly reduce dust mites. Asthma prevention program costs have been estimated at about $500 per unit, which includes about $150 for educational interventions. Asbestos: Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has been used commonly in a variety of building construction materials and household products for insulation and as a fire-retardant. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have banned most asbestos products. Manufacturers have also voluntarily limited uses of asbestos. Today, asbestos is most commonly found in older homes: in pipe and furnace insulation materials, asbestos shingles, millboard, textured paints and other coating materials, and floor tiles. Elevated concentrations of airborne asbestos can occur when asbestos- containing materials (ACM) are disturbed by cutting, sanding or other remodeling activities. Improper attempts to remove these materials can release asbestos fibers into the air in homes, increasing asbestos levels and endangering people living in those homes. The most dangerous asbestos fibers are too small to be visible. After they are inhaled, they can remain and accumulate in the lungs. Asbestos can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma (a cancer of the chest and abdominal linings), and asbestosis (irreversible lung scarring that can be fatal). Most people with asbestos-related diseases were exposed to elevated concentrations on the job; some developed disease from exposure to clothing and equipment brought home from job sites. As with radon, dose-response extrapolations suggest that lower level exposures, as may occur when asbestos- containing building materials deteriorate or are disturbed, may also cause cancer. Intact asbestos-containing materials are not a hazard; they should be monitored for damage or deterioration and isolated if possible. Repair of damaged or deteriorating ACM usually involves either sealing (encapsulation) or covering (enclosure) it. Repair is usually cheaper than removal, but it may make later removal of asbestos more difficult and costly. Repairs should be done only by a professional trained and certified to handle asbestos safely and can cost from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars; removal can be more expensive. Combustion products of heating and cooking appliances: Burning of oil, natural gas, kerosene, and wood for heating or cooking purposes can release a variety of combustion products of health concern. Depending upon the fuel, these may include carbon monoxide (a chemical asphyxiant), oxides of nitrogen (respiratory irritants), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene), and airborne particulate matter (respiratory irritants). Carbon monoxide, an odorless gas, can be fatal. Nitrogen dioxide can damage the respiratory tract, and sulfur dioxide can irritate the eyes, nose and respiratory tract. Smoke and other particulates irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and can cause lung cancer. Improper venting and poor maintenance of heating systems and cooking appliances can dramatically increase exposure to combustion products. Experts recommend having combustion heating systems inspected by a trained professional every year to identify blocked openings to flues and chimneys; cracked or disconnected flue pipe; dirty filters; rust or cracks in the heat exchanger; soot or creosote build-up; and exhaust or gas odors. Installing a carbon monoxide detector is also recommended; however, such a detector will not detect other combustion by-products. [[Page 11902]] Insect and rodent pests: The observed association between exposure to cockroach antigen and asthma severity has already been noted above. In addition, cockroaches may act as vehicles to contaminate and environmental surfaces with certain pathogenic organisms. Rodents can transmit a number of communicable diseases to humans, either through bites, arthropod vectors, or exposure to aerosolized excreta. In addition, humans can become sensitized to proteins in rodent, urine, dander and saliva. Such sensitization may contribute to asthma severity among children. Insect and rodent infestation is frequently associated with substandard housing that makes it difficult to eliminate. Treatment of rodent and insect infestations often includes the use of toxic pesticides which may present hazards to occupants (see below). Integrated pest management (IPM) for rodents and cockroaches, which reduces the use of pesticides, is estimated to cost approximately $150 per unit. IPM control measures include sealing holes and cracks, removing food sources and use of traps. Lead: Exposure to lead, especially from deteriorating lead-based paint, remains one of the most important and best-studied of the household environmental hazards to children. Although blood lead levels have fallen nationally, a large reservoir of lead remains in housing. The most recent national survey, conducted from 1991-94, showed that nearly one million U.S. preschoolers still have elevated blood lead levels. Overall, the prevalence rate among all children under six years of age is 4.4%. Among low-income children living in older housing where lead-based paint is most prevalent, the rate climbs to 16%; and for African-American children living in such housing, it reaches 21%. HUD estimates that 64 million dwellings have some lead-based paint, and that 20 million have lead-based paint hazards. Of those, about 3.6 million have young children and of those, about 500,000 units have inadequate cash flow to respond to lead-based paint hazards. Costs can range anywhere from $500 to $15,000 per unit. Corrective measures include paint stabilization, enclosure and removal of certain building components coated with lead paint, and cleanup and ``clearance testing,'' which ensures the unit is safe for young children. Mold and moisture: An analysis of several pulmonary disease studies estimates that 25% of airways disease, and 60% of interstitial lung disease may be associated with moisture in the home or work environment. Moisture is a precursor to the growth of mold and other biological agents, which is also associated with respiratory symptoms. An investigation of a cluster of pulmonary hemosiderosis (PH) cases in infants showed PH was associated with a history of recent water damage to homes and with levels of the mold Stachybotrys atra (SA) in air and in cultured surface samples. Associations between exposure to SA and ``sick building'' symptoms in adults have also been observed. Other related toxigenic fungi have been found in association with SA-associated illness and could play a role. For sensitive individuals, exposure to a wide variety of common molds may also aggravate asthma. Addressing mold problems in housing requires coordination among the medical, public health, microbiological, housing, and building science communities. The cost of mold/moisture-related intervention work (e.g., integrated pest management, clean and tune furnace, remove debris, vent clothes dryer, cover dirt floor with impermeable vapor barrier) is a few hundred dollars, unless major modification of the ventilation system is needed. For example, in Cleveland, mold interventions, including repairs to ventilation systems and basement flooring, in the most heavily-contaminated homes range from $500-- $5,000, with some costs also being dedicated to lead hazard control simultaneously through its Lead+Asthma program. Pesticide residues: According to the EPA, 75 percent of U.S. households used at least one pesticide product indoors during the past year. Products used most often are insecticides and disinfectants. Another study suggests 80 percent of most people's exposure to pesticides occurs indoors and that measurable levels of up to a dozen pesticides have been found in the air inside homes. The amount of pesticides found in homes appears to be greater than can be explained by recent pesticide use in those households; other possible sources include contaminated soil or dust that migrates in from outside, stored pesticide containers, and household surfaces that collect and then release the pesticides. Pesticides used in and around the home include products to control insects (insecticides), termites (termiticides), rodents (rodenticides), molds and fungi( fungicides), and microbes (disinfectants). In 1990, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported that some 79,000 children were involved in common household pesticide poisonings or exposures. In households with children under five years old, almost one-half stored at least one pesticide product within reach of children. Exposure to chlorpyriphos (CP), a commonly used organophosphate insecticide, in the prenatal and early postnatal period may impair neurodevelopment. While CP is a biodegradable pesticide, substantial persistence of CP in house dust has been demonstrated. Exposure to high levels of cyclodiene pesticides, commonly associated with misapplication, has produced various symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, muscle twitching, weakness, tingling sensations, and nausea. In addition, EPA is concerned that cyclodienes might cause long-term damage to the liver and the central nervous system, as well as an increased risk of cancer. There are available data on hazard evaluation methods and remediation effectiveness regarding pesticide residues in the home environment. Radon progeny: The National Academy of Sciences estimates that approximately 15,000 cases of lung cancer per year are related to radon exposure. Epidemiologic studies of miners exposed to high levels of radon in inhaled air have defined the dose response relation for radon-induced lung cancer at high exposure levels. Extrapolation of these data has been used to estimate the excess risk of lung cancer attributable to exposure to radon gas at the lower levels found in homes. These estimates indicate that radon gas is an important cause of lung cancer deaths in the U.S. Excessive exposures are typically related to home ventilation, structural integrity and location. Radon measurement and remediation methods are well-developed, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that every home be measured for radon. EPA estimates that materials and labor costs for radon reduction in an existing home are $800-$2500. Including radon resistant techniques in new home construction costs $350-$500, and can save up to $65 annually in energy costs, according to the EPA. Take-home hazards from work/hobbies and work at home: When the clothing, hair, skin, or shoes of workers become contaminated with hazardous materials in the workplace, such contaminants may inadvertently be carried to the home environment and/or an automobile. Such ``take-home'' exposures have been demonstrated, for example, in homes of lead-exposed workers. In addition, certain hobbies or workplaces located in the home may provide an especially great risk of household contamination. Control methods include storing and laundering work clothes separately, and showering and changing before leaving work, or immediately after arriving home. Once a home becomes contaminated, cleaning floors and contact surfaces and replacing furnishings may be necessary to reduce exposures. Unintentional injuries/fire: Unintentional injury is now the leading cause of death and disability among children younger than 15 years of age. In 1997, nearly 7 million persons in the United States were disabled for at least 1 full day by unintentional injuries received at home. During the same year, 28,400 deaths were attributable to unintentional home injuries, of which 1800 occurred among children 0-4 years of age. Among young children, three types of events accounted for more than 3/4 of deaths: fires/ burns, drownings, and mechanical suffocation. Falls and poisoning are the next most common. Home visitation protocols have been shown to be effective in reducing exposure to such hazards. The ``add-on'' cost of injury prevention measures, when combined with other housing interventions are estimated at about $100 per unit. This includes the cost of some injury prevention devices, such as smoke alarms, electrical socket covers, etc. Appendix B References: To secure any of the documents listed, call the listed telephone number (generally, the telephone numbers are not toll-free). Regulations: 1. Worker Protection: OSHA publication--Telephone: 202-693-1888 (OSHA Regulations) (available for a charge)--Government Printing Office--Telephone: 202-512-1800 (not a toll-free number): --General Industry Lead Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1025 (Document Number 869022001124). Can be downloaded from [[Page 11903]] the Internet without charge from www.osha-slc.gov/OshStd_data/ 1910_1025.html. --Lead Exposure in Construction, 29 CFR 1926.62, and appendices A, B, C, and D (Document Number 869022001141). Can be downloaded from the Internet without charge from www.osha-slc.gov/OshStd_data/ 1926_0062.html. 2. Waste Disposal: 40 CFR parts 260-268 (EPA regulations) (available for a charge)--Telephone 1-800-424-9346, or, from the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, 1-703-412-9810 (not a toll-free number). Can be downloaded from the Internet without charge from www.epa.gov/docs/epacfr40/chapt-I.info/subch-I/. 3. Lead; Requirements for Lead-Based Paint Activities in Target Housing and Child-Occupied Facilities; Final Rule: 40 CFR Part 745, (EPA) (Lead Hazard Standards, Work Practice Standards, EDP and State Certification and Accreditation programs for those engaged in lead- based paint activities)--Telephone: 1-202-554-1404 (Toxic Substances Control Act Hotline) (not a toll-free number). Can be downloaded from the Internet without charge from www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/ index.html. Guidelines: 1. Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing; HUD, June 1995, and amended September, 1997. (available for a charge)--Telephone: 800-245-2691. Can be downloaded from the Internet without charge from www.hud.gov/ lea/leadwnlo.html. 2. Preventing Lead Poisoning in Young Children; Centers for Disease Control, October 1991: Telephone: 888-232-6789. 3. Screening Young Children for Lead Poisoning: Guidance for State and Local Public Health Officials, November 1997; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Telephone: 888-232-6789. Can be downloaded from the Internet without charge from www.hud.gov/lea/ leadwnlo.html. Reports: 1. Putting the Pieces Together: Controlling Lead Hazards in the Nation's Housing, (Summary and Full Report); HUD, July 1995 (available for a charge)--Telephone 800-245-2691. Can be downloaded from the Internet without charge from www.hud.gov/lea/ leadwnlo.html 2. The Healthy Homes Initiative: A Preliminary Plan (Summary and Full Report); HUD, July 1995. Can be downloaded from the Internet without charge from www.hud.gov/lea/leadwnlo.html 3. Institute of Medicine. Indoor Allergens. Assessing and Controlling Adverse Health Effects. National Academy Press. Washington, D.C. 1993. 4. Mott L., Our Children at Risk. Natural Resources Defense Council. Washington, D.C. 1997. Can be ordered from the Internet from www.nrdc.org 5. Rom W.N., Ed. Environmental and Occupational Medicine. Little, Brown and Co., Boston. 1992. 6. President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children. Asthma and The Environment: An Action Plan to Protect Children. Washington, D.C. 1999. Eliminating Childhood Lead Poisoning: A Federal Strategy Targeting Lead Paint Hazards. Washington, D.C., 2000. Can be downloaded from the Internet without charge from www.epa.gov/children. Appendix C The non-standard forms, which follow, are required for your Healthy Homes Demonstration and Education application. They are the Checklist and Submission Table of Contents and the Total Budget (Federal Share and Matching Contribution, including instructions). BILLING CODE 4210-32-P