5-CDBG Multi-Family Acquisition Rehabilitation Instructions.pdf

AFFORDABLE HOUSING SERVICES (AHS)

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

Multi Family Acquisition Rehabilitation

Program Year (PY) 2026

INSTRUCTIONS

Brenda Brackins, Director

Hillsborough County PY 2026 CDBG Multi Family Acquisition Rehabilitation Request for Proposals – Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS

Request for Proposals (RFP)

PY 2026

Hillsborough County Affordable Housing Services (AHS) announces the availability of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funds for eligible multi-family acquisition rehabilitation projects for Program Year (PY) 2026. PY 2026 will begin October 1, 2026, and end September 30, 2027. Funding will not be available until after October 1, 2026. Disclaimer: The funding amount is based on the County’s estimated HUD allocation and is subject to change.

I. INTRODUCTION

The CDBG program is administered by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Hillsborough County receives an allocation of CDBG funds from HUD and administers those funds for the benefit of citizens of unincorporated Hillsborough County, the City of Plant City and the City of Temple Terrace. The City of Tampa receives its own CDBG allocation.

a) Please Note: Receiving CDBG funding will require additional monitoring not only through AHS, but by HUD. Additional exposure to liability and costs (in real dollars and staff time, among other resources) comes with the rules and regulations associated with CDBG. As such, we strongly encourage organizations to understand the administrative responsibilities that come with CDBG funding and take that into consideration before applying. Please see Playing by the Rules: A Handbook for CDBG Subrecipients on Administrative Systems for detailed information on CDBG administrative requirements at the following link:

https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/687/playing-by-the-rules-a-handbook-for-cdbg-subrecipients-on-administrative-systems/.

b) Reference Materials: Guide to National Objectives and Eligible Activities for CDBG Entitlement Communities: https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/89/community-development-block-grant-program-cdbg-guide-to-national-objectives-and-eligible-activities-for-entitlement-communities/.

c) By submitting the attached application, the proposer acknowledges its understanding of and agrees to adhere to all Federal, State, and local requirements associated with the grant funds.

d) For purposes of this RFP, “multi-family” is defined for rental housing projects as five or more connected dwelling units. For homeownership projects, “multi-family” is defined as 5 or more homes on the same parcel of land, which may or may not be connected dwellings.

e) A mortgage, promissory note and land use restriction agreement will be executed by the successful proposer for a minimum 30-year term for multifamily rental developments.

f) A proposer for a multi-family acquisition rehabilitation and/or conversion rental project should have successfully constructed three (3) affordable housing multi-family rental developments. A proposer for a multi-family acquisition rehabilitation and/or conversion homeownership project should have successfully constructed a minimum of five (5) homes on the same parcel of land.

g) For multi-family acquisition rehabilitation and/or conversion rental developments, the rental units must remain under the ownership of the successful proposer for the duration of the affordability period, or the mortgage will be considered in default and payment will be required in the amount of the original mortgage and promissory note amount. The affordability period for these projects is a minimum of 30 years.

Community Development Block Group (CDBG) Multi Family Acquisition Rehabilitation https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/687/playing-by-the-rules-a-handbook-for-cdbg-subrecipients-on-administrative-systems/ https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/687/playing-by-the-rules-a-handbook-for-cdbg-subrecipients-on-administrative-systems/ https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/89/community-development-block-grant-program-cdbg-guide-to-national-objectives-and-eligible-activities-for-entitlement-communities/ https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/89/community-development-block-grant-program-cdbg-guide-to-national-objectives-and-eligible-activities-for-entitlement-communities/ https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/89/community-development-block-grant-program-cdbg-guide-to-national-objectives-and-eligible-activities-for-entitlement-communities/

Hillsborough County PY 2026 CDBG Multi Family Acquisition Rehabilitation Request for Proposals – Instructions

h) For multi-family acquisition rehabilitation and/or conversion homeownership development projects, units must be sold to income eligible, first-time homebuyers, with a forgivable mortgage and note and a land use restriction agreement securing affordability. The maximum sales price for homeownership units must not exceed 95% of the area median purchase price for housing, as determined by HUD.

i) All units whether rental or homeownership projects must be set-aside for households at or below 80% of area median income (AMI) for the Tampa-St. Petersburg Metropolitan Statistical Areas as determined annually by HUD. Emphasis will be placed on projects serving extremely low-income households and special needs populations.

j) All units constructed must meet the Florida Building Code, the County’s Comprehensive Plan requirements, HUD Regulations at 24 CFR Part 570 and comply with applicable County development regulations and approved zoning.

II. OVERALL PROPOSAL RULES

a) Proposal Funding Request:

Up to a maximum of $2 Million may be awarded per proposal. (Proposals that exceed $2 Million will not be considered).

Disclaimer: The funding amount is based on the County’s estimated HUD allocation and is subject to change.

b) The proposal must meet the guidelines provided in this Request for Proposals (RFP).

c) The cost to prepare and submit a proposal is the sole responsibility of the proposer and shall not be chargeable in any manner to AHS or the County.

d) Eligible proposers must be non-profit entities that have been operating in good standing with the State of Florida for a minimum of two years.

e) CDBG funds may be awarded to non-profit organizations for eligible multi-family acquisition rehabilitation/conversion rental and homeownership activities that benefit extremely low- to moderate income households that meet the Affordable Housing and Homeless Services priority needs in the County’s 5-Year Consolidated Plan consistent with this RFP. The majority, 51% of the project’s beneficiaries must meet HUD income guidelines and serve clients at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI).

f) At least ten percent (10%) of the total project’s units must be set aside for households at risk of homelessness, homeless or emerging from homelessness. The proposer shall partner with the County’s Continuum of Care Agency, Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative, Inc. (THHI), to obtain clients for the homeless set-aside units unless the County, through Affordable Housing Services, has approved an alternate means for THHI to receive such clients. For example, as a referral from another agency. In either case, the households must be referred to THHI for handling and their processes followed. Homelessness as defined by HUD are circumstances which lead to people who are living in a place not meant for human habitation, in emergency shelters long- term, in transitional housing long-term, or are exiting an institution where they are temporarily resided.

g) Projects exclusively dedicated for persons with special needs or the homeless may only be submitted by a non-profit entity who ordinarily provides wrap around services. Properties with only a portion of their units set-aside for these categories may be submitted by any proposer.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-24/subtitle-B/chapter-V/subchapter-C/part-570

Hillsborough County PY 2026 CDBG Multi Family Acquisition Rehabilitation Request for Proposals – Instructions

h) Proposals must demonstrate that the agency has the financial viability to operate a federally funded program strictly on a reimbursement basis. A financially viable organization is able to:

i. Expend project costs pending reimbursement without financial hardship.

ii. Provide sufficient documentation to support all expenses.

i) At the discretion of AHS, funding provided under this RFP may be allocated from other sources that are appropriate for the proposal. However, all proposals must be CDBG eligible, and proposers may not request funds from an alternate source.

j) At the County’s discretion, the funding commitment may be decreased or increased based on funding availability and need.

k) The County reserves the right to reject all proposals as needed. The County reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to decline a proposal if it is not in the best interest of the County to proceed.

l) Proposers with existing or prior projects awarded through AHS that had grant funding (all or a portion) recaptured or returned to AHS for reallocation, whether incomplete or completed, or failed to meet the proposed project accomplishments, had untimely project close-outs, or failed to submit timely quarterly progress reports shall receive a reduction in total available points for the most recent project within the previous three (3) program years under the “Performance of Past Subrecipients” category.

m) A developer fee may be requested in an amount not to exceed 15% of the total award from the

County. The final determination of the amount of the developer fee shall be determined by the County.

n) Rehabilitation activities must, at a minimum, address all code violations and health and safety issues.

o) AHS will complete an underwriting and subsidy layering review prior to the execution of the written agreement or obligation of funds.

p) Proposals must have documented site control. Documentation comprised of a recorded title, executed lease agreement, firm purchase contract, option to purchase, option to lease long-term, or Local Government Resolution authorizing conveyance of the proposed site for which funding will be utilized. Site control documentation must not have any contingencies and proof of an earnest money deposit must be provided for purchase/pending contracts/agreements.

q) A Phase I Environmental Assessment using current techniques by a qualified environmental professional must be completed no more than six (6) months prior to the submittal of the RFP application with a “No Further Action” recommendation and submitted with the proposal. See Environmental Review Procedures (24 CFR Part 58). (The cost of the Phase I Environmental Assessment will be the responsibility of the proposer.

r) The proposed project must be past the planning, engineering and private/commercial funding stages. More specifically, the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment has been completed no more than six (6) months prior to the RFP application submittal with a “No Further Action” recommendation, the zoning is compatible or zoning and/or re-zoning for the proposed project is complete and has been approved by the County, site/subdivision development construction plans have been reviewed by the County and is verifiable in the Development Services system, full private/commercial funding of the construction phase is committed in writing, less the amount being requested under this RFP.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-24/subtitle-A/part-58?toc=1

Hillsborough County PY 2026 CDBG Multi Family Acquisition Rehabilitation Request for Proposals – Instructions

s) Ineligible Proposals Proposals deemed ineligible will not be considered for funding under this RFP. Factors which may result in ineligibility may include but are not limited to the following:

i. Proposals that are not CDBG eligible and do not meet the guidelines in this RFP.

ii. Proposals with omitted information at the time of the submittal deadline will render the application incomplete and the proposal unresponsive/ineligible.

iii. Proposals that are incomplete, with inaccurate budget costs, or the funding request is less than the minimum amount or exceeds the RFP cap.

iv. Proposals that do not include the required documents listed in the “Required Documents Checklist” in the application.

v. Proposals uploaded to the wrong solicitation in Euna Procurement.

vi. Proposals that include Community Based Development Organization (CBDO) and/or Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) activities are not eligible under this

RFP.

vii. Proposals that include new housing construction.

viii. Proposals that do not have documented site control, compatible zoning or County approved zoning and/or rezoning or a Phase I Environmental Assessment with a “No Further Action” recommendation.

ix. Proposals with less than ten percent (10%) of the total units set aside for households at risk of homelessness, homeless or emerging from homelessness. The proposer shall partner with the County’s Continuum of Care Agency, Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative, Inc.

(THHI), to obtain clients for the homeless set-aside units unless the County, through Affordable Housing Services, has approved an alternate means for THHI to receive such clients. For example, as a referral from another agency. In either case, the households must be referred to THHI for handling and their processes followed.

t) Ineligible Proposers Ineligible proposers will not be considered for funding under this RFP. Factors which may result in ineligibility may include but are not limited to:

i. Any party on the Excluded Parties List System (Home | SAM.gov) will be deemed ineligible for funding. This includes both the proposer and any partnering organization identified as part of the proposal.

ii. Proposers with partnerships, collaborations, and agreements with for-profit entities serving as the lead applicant.

iii. Proposers that do not have a non-profit incorporation and 501(c)(3) designation and have not filed I.R.S. Form 990 or Exemption Statement and have not undergone a financial audit conducted by an independent auditor. A certified financial statement is acceptable if an agency audit is not required.

iv. Proposers with two or more projects through AHS that are less than fifty percent (50%) complete and/or have less than fifty percent (50%) of AHS funds expended, as documented by the required Monthly/Quarterly Progress Reports and verified by AHS.

https://sam.gov/

Hillsborough County PY 2026 CDBG Multi Family Acquisition Rehabilitation Request for Proposals – Instructions

v. Proposers with an open/existing project(s) funded through AHS or directly by the County that has been determined by AHS to be out-of-compliance with project requirements, with unresolved findings or concerns as documented by a County monitoring report and/or has been issued a letter of non-compliance outside of its usual monitoring period, and/or have failed to meet deliverables as required under a County funded agreement monitored by AHS, are ineligible under this RFP.

u) Successful Proposals Must

i. Enter a subrecipient agreement that will be provided by AHS that incorporates the requirements of this RFP. A Sample Agreement is available upon request.

ii. Be ready to proceed (implement) the project at the time of funding. For projects that will not be able to move forward once an award is made (for reasons such as loss of leveraged funds, loss of site control, or environmental review issues), the County has the right to redistribute the funds to the next highest ranked eligible proposer.

iii. Pay for project costs pending reimbursement.

iv. Understand, and adhere to Build America, Buy America (BABA) Requirements: Pursuant to the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA), enacted as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Pub. L. 117-58, 41 U.S.C. § 8301 note, the federal financial assistance used to fund infrastructure projects is required to apply a domestic content procurement preference (the “Buy America Preference” or “BAP”) for all construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of infrastructure, including buildings and real property, unless application of the BAP has been waived by HUD. Additional details on fulfilling the BABA requirements can be found at in CPD Notice-25-01 and at https://www.hud.gov/baba.

This funding year will require all phases of BABA implementation, iron, steel, construction materials and manufactured products to be sourced from the United States absent a BABA waiver or other exclusionary requirement.

v. Understand and adhere to Section 3: Requires rehabilitation, construction or other public construction projects assisted with more than $300,000 of HUD financial assistance, provide training, employment, contracting and other economic opportunities to low- and very low-income persons, to the greatest extent possible. Under certain circumstances, the project may be required to comply with Section 3, and it is the proposer’s responsibility to provide timely Section 3 reporting information to AHS using the required forms. For further guidance, see Section 3 Guidebook. (May not apply to housing assistance projects)

vi. Understand and adhere to the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts: Requires that contractors and subcontractors pay their laborers and mechanics no less than the prevailing wage, as determined by the U.S. Department of Labor, on federal construction projects exceeding $2,000 for the construction, alteration, or repair (including painting and decorating) of public buildings or public works. Applicable to the rehabilitation of residential property only if such property contains not less than 8 units. It is the proposer’s responsibility to provide timely labor reporting information to AHS using the required forms. See Davis-Bacon and Related Acts Coverage and Federal Labor Standards Requirements in HUD Programs for more information.

vii. Understand and adhere to the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act

(CWHSSA): Provides that all overtime hours involving the employment of laborers and mechanics must be compensated at a rate not less than one-and one-half times the regular basic rate of pay on federal and federally assisted contracts in excess of $100,000 where federal wage standards (e.g., Davis-Bacon or HUD-determined prevailing wage rates) are applicable. See CWHSSA and Federal Labor Standards Requirements in HUD Programs for more information.

https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/cpd-25-01.pdf https://www.hud.gov/baba https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/section-3/section-3-guidebook/welcome/ https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/government-contracts/prevailing-wage-resource-book/dbra-coverage#_What_Is_the https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/government-contracts/prevailing-wage-resource-book/dbra-coverage#_What_Is_the https://www.hud.gov/hudclips/handbooks/sec#close https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/government-contracts/prevailing-wage-resource-book/dbra-coverage#_CONTRACT_WORK_HOURS_1 https://www.hud.gov/hudclips/handbooks/sec#close

Hillsborough County PY 2026 CDBG Multi Family Acquisition Rehabilitation Request for Proposals – Instructions

viii. Understand and adhere to the Lead-Based Paint Hazard: Housing built before 1978, assisted with CDBG funds, is subject to the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act. See 24 CFR Part 35 and https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/lead-based-paint/ for more information.

ix. Understand and adhere to federal funding programmatic requirements. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the agency being out of compliance and ineligible for future grant funding. The requirements include, but are not limited to:

a. Submit timely monthly, quarterly and Section 3 progress reports and adherence to AHS annual monitoring site visits. The reports will be used to assess the activity’s progress in achieving the HUD National Objective.

b. Submit timely and properly supported requests for reimbursement. Funds must be expended in accordance with the expenditure deadlines in the subrecipient agreement.

c. Document and maintain records of persons served, services provided, and where applicable, household size and income documentation, and timely submit required beneficiary data to AHS.

d. Timely submittal of annual HUD Labor Relations, Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), reporting information. (e.g., HUD Form 4010, HUD Form 2516).

e. Use the required reporting forms provided by AHS. The required forms may not be modified or replaced by other reporting methods. Failure to submit the required information needed for reporting and to fulfill HUD reporting requirements may result in the agency being out of compliance and ineligible for future grant funding.

x. Acquisition, rehabilitation and the expenditure of funds for soft costs of the residential or rental property should not commence until after the agreement is executed.

xi. Projects are required to commence, and site/subdivision development construction plans must be approved within twelve (12) months of execution of the funding agreement. Failure to commence acquisition rehabilitation work within 12 months will result in the agreement being terminated and the County will have no further obligation to fund the project.

xii. Projects must be completed and occupied within two (2) years of the date of the executed funding agreement between Hillsborough County and the proposer.

III. CONSOLIDATED PLAN PRIORITIES

The 2021-2025 Hillsborough County Five (5) Year Consolidated Plan priority needs consistent with this Multi-Family Acquisition Rehabilitation RFP are the following:

a) Affordable Housing

i. Multi-Family Housing - acquisition, rehabilitation, reconstruction, conversion

b) Homeless Services

i. Homeless Prevention

IV. SAMS UEI #

A. Systems for Award Management (SAM) Unique Identity ID Requirement All vendors, contractors, subcontractors, and agencies that wish to obtain federally funded contracts must register in the System for Award Management (SAM). As of April 4, 2022, the https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-24/subtitle-A/part-35/subpart-A https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/lead-based-paint/

Hillsborough County PY 2026 CDBG Multi Family Acquisition Rehabilitation Request for Proposals – Instructions

Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov is the authoritative identifier for those doing business with the federal government. The Unique Entity ID is generated in SAM.gov. If currently registered in SAM.gov (whether active or inactive), a Unique Entity ID has already been provided. It is viewable at SAM.gov. If new to SAM.gov and registering for the first time, the Unique Entity ID (SAM) will be generated during registration.

V. SERVICE AREA

All services/programs funded under this RFP must benefit persons residing in unincorporated Hillsborough County, the cities of Plant City or Temple Terrace.

VI. NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION STRATEGY AREAS (NRSA)

Hillsborough County designated specific areas or neighborhoods as Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Areas (NRSA) in the 2021-2025 NRSA Plan, as part of the 2021-2025 Consolidated Plan. The NRSA designation allows greater flexibility in the use of CDBG funding for projects and activities that would promote the revitalization of those areas. Hillsborough County Affordable Housing Services Department will determine if the program/project is in one of the County’s 8 Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Areas (NRSA). Bonus points are available for programs/projects/services provided in a NRSA. The County’s eight

(8) NRSA areas are listed below and as identified at the following link:

hillsborough.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=1ce9a47948ea49ac9dc4881939941

• East Lake – Orient Park NRSA

• Gibsonton NRSA

• Palm River NRA

• Plant City NRSA

• Ruskin NRSA

• Town ‘n’ Country NRSA

• University NRSA

• Wimauma NRSA

VII. PROXIMITY TO TRANSIT RICH AREA

Hillsborough County Affordable Housing Services Department will determine if the project is located within one (1) mile of mass transit service. Mass Transit is defined as - Local route service provided by Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART): https://www.gohart.org/Pages/maps-schedules.aspx. This excludes: HART Flex routes, TECO Line Streetcar, and any Express routes.

VIII. ELIGIBILITY

A. Income Guidelines

Proposals must benefit extremely low, low-, and/or low to moderate income persons. Agencies awarded funds will be required to provide evidence that project and/or program beneficiaries meet the eligibility and income guidelines. The majority (51%) of the project’s or program’s beneficiaries must meet HUD income guidelines and serve clients at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI).

Hillsborough County uses the method of calculating annual income for all program participants set https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhillsborough.maps.arcgis.com%2Fapps%2Finstant%2Flookup%2Findex.html%3Fappid%3D1ce9a47948ea49ac9dc4881939941206&data=05%7C01%7CHollingerW%40HillsboroughCounty.ORG%7C8a1e34a432354f9f3aed08dbe9ecb0c1%7C81fe4c9d9bb849bd90ed89b8063f4c8a%7C1%7C0%7C638360976125199098%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=UI7tCjUQBLIENKjObkIaYRGx2Ifd2sPJAsLtnUNBevA%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhillsborough.maps.arcgis.com%2Fapps%2Finstant%2Flookup%2Findex.html%3Fappid%3D1ce9a47948ea49ac9dc4881939941206&data=05%7C01%7CHollingerW%40HillsboroughCounty.ORG%7C8a1e34a432354f9f3aed08dbe9ecb0c1%7C81fe4c9d9bb849bd90ed89b8063f4c8a%7C1%7C0%7C638360976125199098%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=UI7tCjUQBLIENKjObkIaYRGx2Ifd2sPJAsLtnUNBevA%3D&reserved=0 https://www.gohart.org/Pages/maps-schedules.aspx

Hillsborough County PY 2026 CDBG Multi Family Acquisition Rehabilitation Request for Proposals – Instructions forth in 24 CFR Part 5. Projects receiving funds under this RFP must follow this method in the determination of participant eligibility. The current income limit guidelines (effective 05/01/26) are below:

Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Income Limits Summary – Effective May 1, 2026

Effective 05/01/2026 (The most current limits will apply in the executed agreement)

B. Expenditure Requirements

1) Projects must be completed and occupied within two (2) years of the executed funding agreement.

2) Any homeownership unit that has not been sold to an eligible homebuyer within twelve months of completion must be converted to a rental unit that complies with CDBG requirements for the period of affordability applicable to such rental units. Please make sure your capital funding stack will allow for this before you apply.

C. Period Of Affordability

The minimum period of affordability per project will be determined by the chart below.

Housing Activity Minimum Period of Affordability

Multi-Family Acquisition Rehabilitation and/or Conversion Rental 30 years

Multi-Family Acquisition Rehabilitation and/or Conversion Homeownership 30 years

D. Rent and Occupancy Requirements

All proposals must meet the following rent and occupancy requirements, regardless of the source of funds awarded. A project may consist of units with various sizes and amenities, some of which may be assisted through this RFP, while others are not. An “assisted” unit is a term that shall refer to the units

FY 26 Income Limit Area

Median Income

FY 26

Income

Limit Category

Person

Person

Person

Person

Person

Person

Person

Person

Tampa-St.

Petersburg- Clearwater, FL MSA

(Hillsborough

County)

$104,700

30% AMI

Extremely

Low Income

24,100 27,550 31,000 34,400 38,680 44,360 50,040 55,720

50% AMI

Very Low Income

40,150 45,850 51,600 57,350 61,950 66,550 71,150 75,700

80% AMI

Low Income

64,250 73,400 82,600 91,750 99,100 106,450 113,800 121,150 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-24/subtitle-A/part-5

Hillsborough County PY 2026 CDBG Multi Family Acquisition Rehabilitation Request for Proposals – Instructions funded under this RFP, for which rent, occupancy and/or resale restrictions apply. The number of units designated as “assisted” affects the maximum subsidies that may be provided to a project under this RFP. The chart below shows the maximum per unit investment the County will provide based on bedroom size. The maximum allowable rent per unit may not exceed 30% of eligible households’ gross adjusted income.

FEDERAL HUD AND STATE RENT LIMITS 2026

Rent Limit by Number of Bedrooms in Unit

(Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater) Percentage Category 0 1 2 3 4 5

Low Income (80%) $1,606 $1,720 $2,065 $2,385 $2,661 $2,936

Very Low (50%) $1,003 $1,075 $1,290 $1,491 $1,663 $1,835

Extremely Low (30%) $602 $645 $775 $913 $1,109 $1,322

E. National Objectives

The National Objective applicable to this RFP is to benefit extremely low, low- and moderate-income persons whose household income is at or below 80% of area median income (AMI). Ten (10) points will be given to proposers who only serve the extremely low-income category, (0-30% AMI). If serving more than one AMI category, points will be awarded for the category with the most persons to be served.

The National Objective to benefit low/moderate income (LMI) persons can be met in the following ways:

1) Low and Mod (L/M) Income Housing – The activity assists in the acquisition, construction or improvement of permanent, residential structures when occupied by L/M income persons. (This includes activities directed towards homeownership assistance). The activity must result in housing that will be occupied by L/M income households upon completion. The housing can be either owner or renter occupied and can be either one family or multi-unit structures. For a rental unit to be considered to benefit a L/M income household, it must be occupied by the household at affordable rents.

2) The following parameters must be clearly explained in the proposal:

a) Number of LMI persons to be served

b) How LMI persons will benefit

FEDERAL HUD 2025 Maximum Per Unit Subsidy Limits

Bedrooms 0 Bedroom 1 Bedroom 2 Bedroom 3 Bedroom 4 Bedroom

<30% AMI $140,743.50 $161,341.50 $196,196.25 $253,814.25 $278,607.75

<50%AMI $112,594.80 $129,073.20 $156,957.00 $203,051.40 $222,886.20

<80% AMI $ 84,446.10 $ 96,804.90 $ 117,717.75 $152,288.55 $167,164.65

Hillsborough County PY 2026 CDBG Multi Family Acquisition Rehabilitation Request for Proposals – Instructions

c) How LMI persons will be determined

d) Percentage (%) range of LMI households served; and

e) Percent of qualifying LMI persons to be served.

F. Eligible Activities

All services/programs funded under this RFP must be eligible L/M Income Housing activities under the CDBG program regulations that will meet the Affordable Housing and Homeless Services priorities in the County’s Five-Year Consolidated Plan. More information about the eligible and ineligible activities is located in the “Guide to National Objectives and Eligible Activities for Entitlement Communities”, available on the website noted below:

https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/89/community-development-block-grant-program-cdbg-guide-to-national-objectives-and-eligible-activities-for-entitlement-communities/.

The CDBG-assisted eligible activities that benefit L/M income households and qualify under the L/M Income Housing subcategory in this RFP include, but are not limited to the following:

• Multi Family Acquisition Rehabilitation and/or Conversion for rental

• Multi Family Acquisition Rehabilitation and/or Conversion for homeownership

G. Performance Measures and Outcome Categories

Proposals will be reviewed by AHS Staff to ensure that the performance measures and outcomes are eligible for funding under the CDBG Program. The Performance Measures and outcome categories are as follows:

1) Performance Measures

a) Suitable Living Environment: Relates to activities that are designed to benefit communities, families, or individuals by addressing issues in their living environment.

b) Decent Housing: Designed to cover the wide range of housing possible under CDBG. This objective focuses on housing programs where the purpose of the program is to meet individual family or community needs and not programs where housing is an element of a larger effort.

2) Outcome Categories

a) Availability/Accessibility: This category applies to activities that make services, infrastructure, public services, public facilities, housing, or shelter available or accessible to low- and moderate-income persons, including persons with disabilities. In this category, accessibility does not refer only to physical barriers, but also to making the affordable basics of daily living available and accessible to low- and moderate-income persons where they live.

b) Affordability: This category applies to activities that provide affordability in a variety of ways in the lives of low- and moderate-income persons. It can include the creation or maintenance of affordable housing, basic infrastructure hook-ups, or services such as transportation or daycare.

c) Sustainability: Promoting Livable or Viable Communities. This outcome applies to services where the activity or activities are aimed at improving communities or neighborhoods, helping to make them livable or viable by providing benefit to persons of low and moderate income https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/89/community-development-block-grant-program-cdbg-guide-to-national-objectives-and-eligible-activities-for-entitlement-communities/ https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/89/community-development-block-grant-program-cdbg-guide-to-national-objectives-and-eligible-activities-for-entitlement-communities/

Hillsborough County PY 2026 CDBG Multi Family Acquisition Rehabilitation Request for Proposals – Instructions or by removing or eliminating slums or blighted areas through multiple activities or services that sustain communities or neighborhoods.

IX. ACTIVITY TIMELINE

Proposals should provide a detailed timeline for expenditures. The preliminary schedule should include required permits and approvals from any federal, state, or local agencies and timing of any contemplated requests for other federal, state or local resources, and the timeline of the initiation, construction phasing, completion and opening of the project including major milestones and the proposed major responsibilities.

Timeline ensures the proposed project commences within 12 months and is completed and occupied within two (2) years of the executed funding agreement.

X. PROJECT PROPOSAL READINESS/ABILITY TO PROCEED

Proposals should demonstrate that proactive measures have been made with an investment of the proposer’s resources to ensure the County that the proposal can move forward without any unforeseen issues. Proposers are required, at a minimum, to include the following documentation in each proposal:

a) Evidence of site control (e.g. recorded title, firm Purchase Contract, Option to Purchase, Option to Lease Long-Term Agreement, or Local Government Resolution with no contingencies and proof of an earnest money deposit).

b) A Phase I Environmental Assessment using current techniques by a qualified environmental professional must be completed, no more than six (6) months prior to submittal of the RFP application, with a “No Further Action” recommendation prior to the execution of the written agreement or obligation of funds. See Environmental Review Procedures (24 CFR Part 58). The cost of the Phase I Environmental Assessment will be the responsibility of the proposer.

c) Property survey and County reviewed site or subdivision development construction plans.

d) Design, construction guarantees and warranties.

e) Exterior building elevations, illustrating the massing, openings, materials, colors, identifying number of units, size of units, number of bedrooms, baths and amenities.

f) Current appraisal within 180 days prior to this application (not from Property Appraiser’s Office).

g) Provide evidence of compatible zoning or County approved zoning and/or re-zoning.

XI. PUBLIC BENEFIT

Hillsborough County is encouraging special targeting for individuals and families who have experienced unforeseen economic hardships, including those emerging from homelessness and those with special needs. Projects exclusively dedicated for persons with special needs or the homeless may only be submitted by a not-for-profit entity which ordinarily also provides wrap-around services. Projects with a portion of their units set aside to include these categories may be submitted by any proposer.

1. The project targets households emerging from homelessness. Proposal identifies specially targeted units to be set aside for households at risk of homelessness, homeless or emerging from homelessness. Homelessness as defined by HUD are circumstances which lead to people who are living in a place not meant for human habitation, in emergency shelters long- term, in transitional housing long-term, or are exiting an institution where they https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-24/subtitle-A/part-58?toc=1

Hillsborough County PY 2026 CDBG Multi Family Acquisition Rehabilitation Request for Proposals – Instructions temporarily reside. At least 10% of the units must be set aside to target homelessness. The proposer shall partner with the County’s Continuum of Care Agency, Tampa Hillsborough Homeless Initiative, Inc. (THHI), to obtain clients for the homeless set-aside units unless the County, through Affordable Housing Services, has approved an alternate means for THHI to receive such clients. For example, as a referral from another agency. In either case, the households must be referred to THHI for handling and their processes followed.

2. The project targets special needs households as defined in Section 420.0004 (13) Florida Statutes defined as:

Person with special needs

• an adult person requiring independent living services in order to maintain housing or develop independent living skills and who has a disabling condition;

• a young adult formerly in foster care who is eligible for services under s. 409.1451(5);

• a survivor of domestic violence as defined in s. 741.28; or

• a person receiving benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program or the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program or from veterans’ disability benefits”).

XII. ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE CAPACITY

The proposer(s) selected by the County pursuant to this RFP must have the financial capacity and experience in affordable housing construction project development. A proposer for a multi-family acquisition rehabilitation and/or conversion rental project should have successfully constructed three (3) affordable housing multi-family rental developments. A proposer for a multi-family acquisition rehabilitation and/or conversion homeownership project should have successfully constructed a development containing a minimum of ten (10) single-family homes.

Proposals should demonstrate that the agency’s project team has knowledge, experience and the capacity to deliver successful outcomes by effectively utilizing the CDBG funds to develop, implement and manage the proposed activity to achieve the intended goals while adhering to project timelines and budget constraints.

Provide the years of experience with projects of similar size and scope. Identify team members with experience on similar projects. Provide other developments and the number of units completed for all partners and managers.

XIII. LEVERAGING (OF EXTERNAL FUNDS)

Provide the amount and documentation of committed funds from outside entities, banking and financial institutions, other government and quasi-governmental agencies (excluding Hillsborough County). The leveraged funds must be identified in the budget and must be in place at the time of project implementation and be available during the project period.) AHS will be looking for externally committed funds to you and your organization as detailed below. The County may request additional information from the proposer to assist in this determination.

A. Eligible Letters Of Commitment/Awards

Letters of committed funds/awards must be external to you and your organization such as: banking and financial institutions, other government, and quasi-governmental agencies (excluding Hillsborough County). Only include letters of maximum approved committed funds/awards supporting the project.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2018/409.1451 https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2018/741.28

Hillsborough County PY 2026 CDBG Multi Family Acquisition Rehabilitation Request for Proposals – Instructions

a) Letters/awards must be submitted on the letterhead of the organization making the commitment to fund the project detailed in this application and must include a date, the maximum approved committed funding amount, and an authorized signature of the funding organization;

b) Leveraged funds must be in place at the time of project implementation and be available during the project period;

c) Funding commitments and/or grant awards based on your organization’s production or ability to perform is not a guarantee of committed funds and will only be considered with documented proof of payment, i.e. bank statements;

d) Funding commitments and/or endowments from parent companies and/or supporting organizations will only be considered with a letter of funding commitment and documented proof, i.e. organizations’ approved line-item budget showing the funding set aside as awarded to the applicant; bank statements, indicating that the funds are set aside for the project specified in the proposal.

B. Ineligible Letters Of Commitment/Awards

a) Funds that are internal to you and your organization;

b) In-kind contributions from your organization (ex: salaries / office space / equipment);

c) Letters of support, copies of checks or donations;

d) Funding commitments/grant awards/endowments that are not documented as indicated herein and/or are not attachments to the proposal;

e) Commitments/Awards that are expired or not available during the project period.

C. How Leveraging Is Calculated – Leveraging is calculated using the following formula:

External Committed Funds

𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻 𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷 𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪

= 𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻 𝑳𝑳𝑳𝑳𝑳𝑳𝑳𝑳𝑳𝑳𝑳𝑳𝑳𝑳𝑳𝑳𝑳𝑳 %

EXAMPLE OF LEVERAGING

Identify Other Funding Source(s) Amount of Funds Leveraged %

ABC Bank Line of Credit for Hillsborough Homes $2,000,000 33% Proposal Request $4,000,000 67%

Total Project Cost $6,000,000 Total Committed External Funds (Leveraged) $2,000,000

TOTAL LEVERAGED % 33%

XIV. FINANCIAL DOCUMENTATION

The documentation will determine whether a proposer is solvent and has the cash flow available to complete a CDBG project within the timeline of the executed agreement. All financial documents should be provided in a separate attachment from the application. Attach the required documents as indicated below. (Failure to provide all required documents may deem the proposal unresponsive/ineligible).

A. The following list of items are needed for the fiscal team to assess:

1) Three (3) Financial References: (name, title, entity, telephone number, email and contractual relationship) for at least three (3) successful past projects that can be contacted with respect to current and past project experience.

Hillsborough County PY 2026 CDBG Multi Family Acquisition Rehabilitation Request for Proposals – Instructions

2) Banking References, including letters of good standing from previous lenders.

3) Letters from lending institutions, not more than three months old, demonstrating the existence of liquid assets or suitable unencumbered lines of credit to carry out the predevelopment activities.

Evidence of the entity’s liquid assets or some acceptable form of equity shall be equal to the equity requirements of the prospective construction lender.

4) Preliminary Business Plan to include a conceptual overview of how the organization would propose to structure, finance, develop and manage the project and long-term affordability terms of the development.

5) Explain the financing plan of the project including identifying the source(s) and amount of debt and equity to be used to capitalize the project and the relationships (e.g., outside lender, parent company, etc.) of the entities providing funding.

6) A five (5) year pro forma that identifies capital reserves, debt payments, and any other obligations during this period. The proforma should include a cash flow analysis for the duration of the project, including but not limited to: estimates of costs, operating expenses, capital reserves including maintenance/replacement and re-tenanting reserves, net operating income, debt service, partnership percentages, disposition benchmarks, annual vacancy factor, stabilized NOI, calculations of net present value, and internal rate of return.

7) Construction budget detailing anticipated pre-development costs, and all hard and soft costs from construction through occupancy.

8) Operating budget from construction to occupancy. Include sources and anticipated amounts of working capital to cover operating costs and to adequately maintain operations from the start-up through completion.

9) Letters of commitment/awards and contact information for all approved committed funding sources that are external to the organization.

10) Disclose and explain the circumstances under which any prior funding sources or financial lending institutions have threatened to take or have taken adverse action against the proposer, such as loan acceleration, foreclosure, terminating or restricting the use of funds, occurring anytime during the past five (5) years.

11) A statement disclosing and explaining for the past five (5) years any of the following conduct.

☐ Bankruptcy filings.

☐ Liquidated damages.

☐ Fines, assessments or penalties.

☐ Judgments or awards in contract disputes.

☐ Contract defaults and/or contract terminations.

☐ License revocations, suspensions and/or other disciplinary actions.

☐ Prior debarments or suspension by a governmental entity.

☐ Denials of prequalification or findings of non-responsibility.

☐ Safety past performance date, including fatality incidents.

☐ Experience ratings.

☐ Modification ratings.

☐ Recordable injury rate.

☐ Workday incidence rate.

☐ Alleged violations of any federal, state or local civil law.

☐ Alleged violations of any federal, state or local criminal law.

☐ Criminal indictments or investigations.

☐ Legal claims filed by or against the entity; and ☐ Claims on payment and performance bonds.

Hillsborough County PY 2026 CDBG Multi Family Acquisition Rehabilitation Request for Proposals – Instructions

B. Other Financial Documents Required:

1) Most recent two years Audited Financial Statements including the Notes. The County’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will review submitted Audited Financial statements no older than two (2) years.

2) If the proposer has been awarded more than $1,000,000 in Federal funding in the last year, then the proposer must provide the most current (no older than two (2) years) signed copy of proposer’s Single Audit.

3) If the proposer has been awarded less than $1,000,000 in federal funding in the last year, then the proposer must submit reviewed or compiled financial statements, prepared by an independent, licensed accounting professional in lieu of an audit. The certified financial statement must include the following information:

a. Current financial position to determine:

• Stability (cash flow versus reliable income)

• Sustainability (budget showing a surplus or deficit)

• Reasonable accounting format (showing assets and liabilities and composition of expenses)

b. Results of operations or changes in net assets.

• If the proposer has received any federal award (directly or indirectly), then they must provide the schedule of expenditures of the federal award(s) for the period covered by the financial statement, include the total federal award expended for each individual federal program, federal organization name, pass-through entity (if applicable), and CFDA number (or other identifying number if CFDA number is not available).

• If applicable, identify in the financial statement notes the total amount provided for a loan or loan guarantee program(s); include the schedule of balance outstanding at the end of the audit period. Also include notes that describe the accounting policies used in preparing the schedule and if the auditee elected to use the 15% de minimis cost rate on indirect costs.

• Restrictions (temporary and permanent) that impact income statements.

• Current financial policies and procedures

• The most recent IRS Form 990.

• All accompanying footnotes or notes to the financial statements.

XV. FINANCIAL CAPACITY

The proposer must demonstrate financial capacity to perform the requirements of this proposal, including the ability to secure all necessary financing to completely fund the project. Hillsborough County Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will be reviewing the financial stability of the organization. The following questions will be considered by the OMB to determine the financial capacity of the proposer:

a) Did the proposer provide audited financial statements along with the accompanying audit opinion letter and notes to the statements for the two most recent audit periods?

b) Are the proposer’s audited financial statements recent enough to provide insight into the organization's current financial position?

c) Does the proposer show financial oversight and internal controls?

d) Can the proposer achieve income stability by demonstrating capacity to generate income?

e) Does the proposer show responsible stewardship of resources it has received?

f) Are there adequate management practices in place for financial reporting?

g) Is the proposer able to carry out its mission in a stable and effective way that will ensure project completion?

Hillsborough County PY 2026 CDBG Multi Family Acquisition Rehabilitation Request for Proposals – Instructions

The following questions will be considered by the OMB to determine the financial capacity of the proposer:

1) Is the proposer’s Current Ratio (Current Assets vs. Current Liabilities) equal to or greater than 1?

2) Does the proposer have at least 90 Days Cash on Hand? (industry average is 90 days)

3) Is the…