6.3.19 Housing Counseling.pdf

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Housing

Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Department's Fiscal Year 2019 Comprehensive

Housing Counseling Grant Program

FR-6300-N-33

Application Due Date: 07/01/2019

Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Department's Fiscal Year 2019 Comprehensive

Housing Counseling Grant Program

FR-6300-N-33

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Funding Opportunity Description.

II. Award Information.

III. Eligibility.

A. Eligible Applicants.

B. Ineligible Applicants.

C. Cost Sharing or Matching.

D. Threshold Eligibility Requirements.

E. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements Affecting Eligibility.

F. Program-Specific Requirements Affecting Eligibility.

G. Criteria for Beneficiaries.

IV. Application and Submission Information.

A. Obtaining an Application Package.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission.

C. System for Award Management (SAM) and Dun and

Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number.

D. Application Submission Dates and Times.

E. Intergovernmental Review.

F. Funding Restrictions.

G. Other Submission Requirements.

V. Application Review Information.

A. Review Criteria.

B. Review and Selection Process.

VI. Award Administration Information.

A. Award Notices.

B. Administrative, National and Department Policy

Requirements for HUD recipients.

C. Reporting.

D. Debriefing.

VII. Agency Contacts.

VIII. Other Information.

IX. Appendix.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Program Office: Housing Funding Opportunity Title: Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Department's Fiscal Year 2019 Comprehensive Housing Counseling Grant Program

Announcement Type: Initial Funding Opportunity Number: FR-6300-N-33 Primary CFDA Number: 14.169 Due Date for Applications: 07/01/2019

Overview Prospective applicants should carefully read all instructions in all sections to avoid sending an incomplete or ineligible application. HUD funding is highly competitive. Failure to respond accurately to any submission requirement could result in an incomplete or noncompetitive proposal.

HUD is prohibited from disclosing 1) information regarding any applicant’s relative standing,

2) the amount of assistance requested by an applicant, and 3) any information contained in the application. Prior to the application deadline, HUD may not disclose the identity of any applicant or the number of applicants that have applied for assistance.

For Further Information Regarding this NOFA: Please direct questions regarding the specific program requirements of this Program Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to the office contact identified in Section VII.

OMB Approval Number(s): 2502-0261

Paperwork Reduction Act.

I. Funding Opportunity Description.

A. Program Description.

1. Purpose.

a. Program Description. The purpose of HUD’s Housing Counseling Grant Program is to provide funds to HUD approved housing counseling agencies that provide counseling and advice to tenants and homeowners, with respect to property maintenance, financial management and literacy, and other matters as may be appropriate to assist program clients in improving their housing conditions, meeting their financial needs, and fulfilling the responsibilities of tenancy or homeownership. This NOFA plays an integral role in the continued stabilization of our nation’s housing market by helping individuals and families obtain housing and stay in their homes through responsible homeownership or affordable rental housing. Housing counseling agencies are an important safeguard in the prevention of housing scams and discrimination and serve as an important gateway to local, state, federal and private housing assistance and resources.

b. Objectives and Priorities of this NOFA. The Department has identified several priorities for the Housing Counseling Program that this NOFA addresses, including but not limited to:

1. Distribute federal financial support to housing counseling agencies to enable them to provide quality services to consumers to address their housing and financial needs.

2. Distribute federal financial support to housing counseling agencies based on past performance.

3. Reduce the administrative costs to program participants when applying for and reporting on HUD funding while maintaining accountability for federal funds.

4. Leverage external resources and funding to increase the sustainability of quality housing counseling programs.

5. Prepare the housing counseling industry for housing counselor testing and certification.

6. Ensure distribution of funding amounts for rural areas with low levels of access to housing counseling services, including areas with insufficient access to the Internet.

7. Provide housing counseling services to traditionally underserved populations, such as minorities, seniors, veterans, persons with disabilities, and persons with limited English proficiency.

8. Reform government services and expand opportunities for more Americans to become self-sufficient. HUD is developing EnVision Centers in select communities across the nation. Individuals will be able to utilize the services of EnVision Centers located in these pilot communities, as well as through mobile applications and the EnVision Network organizations. HUD is looking forward to housing counseling agencies committing housing counseling grant funds in support of the EnVision Center demonstration. For more information, please visit hud.gov/envisioncenters.

2. Changes from Previous NOFA.

Two-Year NOFA: One Competition Distributes Subsequent Year Funding if Available.

HUD will use the grant applications received for FY 2019 and the corresponding scores and funding methodology to make awards for FY 2020, subject to the availability of appropriations.

HUD will contact eligible FY 2019 grantees to determine their interest in FY 2020 funds if available. HUD also reserves the right to issue a supplemental comprehensive housing counseling NOFA in FY 2020, which may be limited to new applicants or to provide support for a specific housing counseling activity.

Increased Reliance on HUD’s Own Records for Scoring. HUD will use the applicant’s previous fiscal year’s HUD-9902 and Housing Counseling System (HCS) profile information and validation record to score portions of Rating Factors. Agencies should ensure that all HUD- 9902 reports are submitted timely and that HCS profiles are accurate and validated quarterly.

Promoting Accountability for Federal Funds. HUD reminds applicants that actual accomplishments must match the program objectives of the award and information provided to HUD in the NOFA application and grant agreement. HUD will assess the grantee’s performance in achieving agreed upon goals when reviewing performance reports. See 2 CFR 200.328.

http://www.hud.gov/envisioncenters

Fewer Charts and Reduced Burden. HUD reduced the HUD-9906 application from six charts to four by consolidating questions and overlapping scoring criteria. Additionally, separate narratives responses were eliminated. HUD removed small value items that were vague or unverifiable. However, HUD will continue to assess the same general attributes of agency performance.

3. Continuation of Previously Implemented Changes. HUD continues to improve communication, streamline program requirements, reduce administrative burdens, and prepare for additional program standards in the following areas:

Eligible Costs. Reimbursement of direct costs is limited to eligible activities described in Section IV.F.

Changes to Application Package. There are two sets of charts. LHCAs will complete and submit the HUD-9906-L "Local Housing Counseling Agency (LHCA) Application" which contains Charts A1, B1, C1, etc. Intermediaries, State Housing Finance Agencies (SHFA), and Multi-State Organizations (MSO) will complete the HUD-9906-P "Intermediary, State Housing Finance Agency, and Multi-State Organization Application" which contains Charts A2, B2, C2, etc. They will also complete the Chart A2 Supplement (Excel). Any Applicant with leveraged resources must complete the Chart B Supplement (Excel).

HECM Default Counseling Activities. HUD permits agencies to provide nationwide HECM default counseling if it is part of the agency’s HUD-approved work plan. Default counseling for HECM loans can be provided by non-HECM Roster counselors.

Funding Methodology. HUD continues the slight decrease in the weight of network size while continuing to factor in other criteria such as score, number of Full Time Equivalents (FTE), network management activities, and other relevant criteria.

3. Definitions.

a. Standard Definitions

Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Regulations. Statutory obligation to affirmatively further the purposes and policies of the Fair Housing Act and guidance promulgated thereunder.

Assurances. By submitting your application, you provide assurances that, if selected to receive an award, you will comply with U.S. statutory and public policy requirements, including, but not limited to civil rights requirements.

Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) is the person authorized to submit applications on behalf of the organization via Grants.gov. The AOR is authorized by the E-Biz point of contact in the System for Award Management. The AOR is listed in item 21 on the SF- 424.

Award, as used in this NOFA means a federal grant OR cooperative agreement as specified in Section II.E (Type of Funding Instrument).

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) is a directory of the various Federal listings, projects, services and activities offering financial and non-financial assistance and benefits to the American public. CFDA Number is the unique number assigned to each program, project, service or activity listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA).

Consolidated Plan is a document developed by states and local jurisdictions. This plan is completed by engaging in a participatory process to assess their affordable housing and community development needs and market conditions, and to make data-driven, place-based investment decisions with funding from formula grant programs. (See 24 CFR part 91 for more information about the Consolidated Plan and related Annual Action Plan).

Contract means a legal instrument by which a non-Federal entity purchases property or services needed to carry out the project or program under a Federal award. The term as used in this NOFA does not include a legal instrument, even if the non-Federal entity considers it a contract, when the substance of the transaction meets the definition of a Federal award or subaward (See 2 CFR 200.22.)

Contractor means an entity receiving a contract.

Deficiency is information missing or omitted within a submitted application. Deficiencies typically involve missing documents, information on a form, or some other type of unsatisfied information requirement (e.g., an unsigned form, unchecked box.). Depending on specific criteria, deficiencies may be either curable or non-curable.

Curable Deficiency – Applicants may correct a curable deficiency with timely action.

To be curable the deficiency must:

o Not be a threshold requirement, except for documentation of applicant eligibility;

o not influence how an applicant is ranked or scored versus other applicants; and o be remedied within the time frame specified in the notice of deficiency.

Non-Curable Deficiency – An applicant cannot correct a non-curable deficiency after the submission deadline.

Non-curable deficiencies are deficiencies that, if corrected, would change an applicant’s score or rank versus other applicants. Non-curable deficiencies may result in an application being marked ineligible, or otherwise adversely affect an application’s score and final determination.

DUNS Number is the nine-digit identification number assigned to a business or organization by Dun & Bradstreet and provides a means of identifying business entities on a location-specific basis. Requests for a DUNS number can be made by visiting the Online DUNS Request Portal.

Eligibility requirements are mandatory requirements for an application to be eligible for funding.

Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) is a database that has been established to track contractor misconduct and performance.

Grants.gov is the website serving as the Federal government’s central portal for searching and applying for federal financial assistance throughout the Federal government. Registration in Grants.gov is required for submission of applications to prospective agencies.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). -The Higher Education Act of 1965 defines historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) as "any historically Black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of Black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation…"

Institution of Higher Education (IHE), has the meaning given at 20 U.S.C. 1001.

Non-Federal Entity means a state, local government, Indian tribe, institution of higher education (IHE), or non-profit organization carrying out a Federal award as a recipient or sub recipient.

Nongovernmental organizations include Non-Federal entities and for-profit entities for the purpose of calculating indirect cost proposals accompanying applications submitted under this

NOFA.

Personally identifiable information (PII) means information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity, either alone or when combined with other personal or identifying information that is linked or linkable to a specific individual. The definition of PII is not anchored to any single category of information or technology. Rather, it requires a case-by-case assessment of the specific risk that an individual can be identified. For more detail, refer to 2

CFR 200.79.

Point of Contact (POC) is the person who may be contacted with questions about the application submitted by the AOR. The point of contact is listed in item 8F on the SF-424.

Opportunity Zone according to the IRS, is an “economically-distressed community where new investments, under certain conditions, may be eligible for preferential tax treatment.”

Opportunity Zones are further defined in 26 U.S.C. 1400Z.

Promotores/Promotoras are Spanish-speaking Community Health Workers who work in their communities to reduce barriers to health services and make health care systems more responsive.

Recipient means a non-Federal entity receiving an award directly from HUD to carry out an activity under a HUD program.

Section 3 Business Concern means a business concern: (1) 51 percent or more owned by Section 3 residents; (2) of which at least 30 percent of permanent, full-time employees are currently Section 3 residents, or were Section 3 residents within three years of the date of first employment with the business concern; or (3) provides evidence of a commitment to subcontract over 25 percent of the dollar award of all subcontracts to be awarded to business concerns meeting the qualifications in this definition.

Section 3 Residents means: 1) Public housing residents; or 2) Low and very-low income persons, as defined in 24 CFR 135.5, who live in the metropolitan area or non-metropolitan county where Section 3 covered assistance is expended.

Standard Form 424 (SF-424) means the government-wide forms required to apply for Application for Federal Assistance Programs, required by discretionary Federal grants and other forms of financial assistance programs. Applicants for this Federal assistance program must submit all required forms in the SF-424 Family of forms, including SF-424B. For an application under this notice to be complete, the applicant must sign and submit all required forms in the SF-424 Family.

Subaward means an award provided by a pass-through entity to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to carry out part of a Federal award received by the recipient. It does not include payments to a contractor or payments to an individual beneficiary of a Federal program. A subaward may be provided through any form of legal agreement, including an agreement that the pass-through entity considers a contract. The legal agreement must contain the subrecipient’s assurance of compliance with program requirements, including but not limited to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity requirements.

Subrecipient means a non-Federal entity receiving a subaward from a pass-through entity to carry out part of a HUD program; but does not include an individual beneficiary of such program. A subrecipient may also receive other Federal awards directly from a Federal awarding agency (including HUD).

System for Award Management (SAM), is an official website of the U.S. government. SAM is a U.S. Government system that consolidated the capabilities of Central Contractor Registry (CCR), Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) and the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). Registration with Sam.gov is required for submission of applications via Grants.gov. You can access the website at Sam.gov There is no cost to use SAM.

Threshold Requirement – Threshold requirements are a type of eligibility requirement.

Threshold requirements must be met for an application to be reviewed; are not curable, except for documentation of applicant eligibility and are listed in Section III.D Threshold Eligibility Requirements. Similarly, there are eligibility requirements under Section III.E, Statutory and Regulatory Requirements Affecting Eligibility.

4. Program Definitions.

Program specific definitions are available in Appendix B, Definitions.

5. Web Resources.

Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Regulations Code of Conduct list Do Not Pay Dun & Bradstreet Equal Participation of Faith-Based Organizations Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System FFATA Subaward Reporting System Grants.gov Healthy Homes Strategic Plan Healthy Housing Reference Manual HUD Funding Opportunities HUD’s Strategic Plan HUD Grants Limited English Proficiency NOFA webcasts Opportunity Zone Procurement of recovered materials Section 3 Business Registry State Point of Contact List System for Award Management (SAM) Uniform Relocation Act – Real Property Acquisition and Relocation Requirements USA Spending

B. Authority.

HUD's Housing Counseling Program is authorized by Section 106 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. § 1701x) and Section 4 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. § 3533) as amended by Title XIV of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank). The Housing Counseling Program regulations are codified at 24 C.F.R. Part 214. The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program (HECM) is authorized by Section 255 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. § 1715z-20), and its regulations are codified at 24 C.F.R. Part 206.

II. Award Information.

A. Available Funds.

Funding of up to $43,000,000 is available through this NOFA.

Additional funds may become available for award under this NOFA, because of HUD's efforts to recapture unused funds, use carryover funds, or because of the availability of additional https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/affh/ https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/conduct http://donotpay.treas.gov/ http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=d67b2c9e097a45629d959d63e5e4f297&ty=HTML&h=L&mc=true&r=SECTION&n=se24.1.5_1109 https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action https://www.fsrs.gov/ https://grants.gov https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/DOC_13701.PDF https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/publications/books/housing/housing_ref_manual_2012.pdf https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/grants/fundsavail https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/spm/strategicplan2014_2018 https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/limited_english_proficiency_0 https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/press/multimedia https://www.cdfifund.gov/Pages/Opportunity-Zones.aspx https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=91f378a1992b84880fbe5823086278fc&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1322 https://portalapps.hud.gov/Sec3BusReg/BRegistry/What https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/SPOC-Feb.-2018.pdf https://beta.sam.gov/ https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/comm_planning/library/relocation https://www.usaspending.gov/Pages/Default.aspx appropriated funds. Use of these funds is subject to statutory constraints. All awards are subject to the applicable funding restrictions contained in this NOFA.

B. Number of Awards.

HUD expects to make approximately 250 awards from the funds available under this NOFA.

The number of awards under this NOFA will depend on the number of eligible applicants and other factors. For information on the methodology used to make award determinations under this NOFA, please see Section V.B Review and Selection Process.

C. Minimum/Maximum Award Information.

1. Total Grant Request. Applicants are not required to request a specific award amount, nor provide a proposed budget for a grant amount but should enter a response of $1.00 in line 18a of the SF424, Application for Federal Assistance.

2. Award Adjustments. HUD reserves the right to adjust funding levels for each grantee.

Once Applicants are selected for award, HUD will determine the total amount to be awarded to any grantee, based upon the scope of services to be provided, funds available, and other factors that HUD may determine.

Estimated Total Funding: $43,000,000 Minimum Award Amount: $1 Per Project Period Maximum Award Amount: $3,000,000 Per Project Period

D. Period of Performance.

Estimated Project Start Date: 07/17/2019 Estimated Project End Date: 01/16/2021 Length of Project Periods: Other Length of Project Periods Explanation of Other: The initial period of performance for grants awarded under this program will be for a period of 18 months. For planning purposes, Applicants should assume that the period of performance is October 1, 2018 through March 31, 2020.

E. Type of Funding Instrument.

Funding Instrument Type: Grant HUD will use a cost reimbursement Grant Agreement, which means that grantees will receive funding for housing counseling services that were provided prior to a draw request for reimbursement. Grantees may not draw down on an award made through this NOFA until the prior year's award has been fully expended.

III. Eligibility.

A. Eligible Applicants.

Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Additional Information on Eligibility:

1. Eligible applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

Applicant must be approved to participate in the HUD Housing Counseling Program prior to the NOFA issue date. In addition, SHFAs are eligible for this NOFA if they possess statutory authority to provide housing counseling throughout their entire state and adhere to all program requirements outlined in 24 CFR Part 214, this handbook, and other governing documents.

Tax Exempt. Applicants, Subgrantees, and Branches must be:

tax-exempt organizations under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 501 (a) as described in IRC section 501(c) (26 U.S.C. 501 (a) and (c)), or units of local, county, or state government, in good standing under the laws and regulations of the state of their organization., and authorized to do business in the states in which they propose to provide housing counseling services.

Provide Accessible Services. Applicants receiving Federal financial assistance shall operate their housing programs or activities so that they are readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities. Applicants must give priority to methods that provide physical access to individuals with disabilities in accordance with the regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

All programs or activities must be held in accessible locations unless the recipient can demonstrate that doing so would result in a fundamental alteration of the program or an undue financial and administrative burden. Individuals with disabilities must receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs.

In addition, counseling services must comply with effective communication requirements pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its implementing regulations at 24 C.F.R. § 8.6, Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Department of Justice implementing regulations codified at 28 C.F.R. § § 35 and 36.

Sam.gov and DUNS Registration Requirement. Applicants must have a valid, active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). In addition, applicants and subgrantees must have a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) identifier.

Outstanding Performance Issues. Applicants and Subgrantees must resolve all outstanding issues communicated by HUD in writing by the later of the application deadline date of this NOFA or the expiration date of any conditional re-approval or inactive status resulting from such written communication.

https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/housing-counseling/agency-application/

OIG Audits or Investigations. Applicants and Subgrantees must disclose to HUD the status of active HUD Office of Inspector General (OIG) audits or investigations at the time of the NOFA application submission date. At the time of application submission or thereafter, HUD may determine that applicants are not eligible for grant funding based on its review of HUD OIG audits and investigations.

Election for Federal Office Violation. No Applicant, Subgrantee, or Branch that employs an individual who has been convicted of a violation under federal law relating to an election for Federal office (See Pub. L. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376 (July 21, 2010)) is eligible for grant funding under this NOFA.

Housing Counseling Work Plan. Applicants must have an approved Housing Counseling work plan on file with HUD. Activities specified in the HUD-9906 Housing Counseling charts must be consistent with activities previously approved in the work plan prior to the application due date. Applicants are reminded of the requirement to provide counseling to at least thirty clients annually (24 CFR 214.303(b)).

Compliance with Third Party Certifications and Licensing. Applicants must be in compliance with, and not in default under, any applicable state or other licensing and certification requirements. HUD will review individual circumstances upon request.

Inherently Religious Activities. Organizations funded under this NOFA may not engage in inherently religious activities, such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization, as part of the programs or services funded under this program. If an organization conducts such activities, these activities must be offered separately, in time or location, from the programs or services funded under this part, and participation must be voluntary and not a condition of the HUD programs or services in accordance with 24 CFR 5.109(c).

2. Limits on Applicants.

Applicants and Subgrantees are prohibited from applying for or accessing FY 2019 Housing Counseling Program grant funding from multiple sources. For example, applying for funding under this NOFA as both a direct Grantee (e.g. LHCA) and as a Subgrantee of an Intermediary or SHFA is prohibited. Likewise, applying for funding under this NOFA as a Subgrantee of two different Intermediaries or as a Subgrantee of an Intermediary and as a Subgrantee of an SHFA is prohibited.

The following limited sole exception is made to this requirement: The Grantee or Subgrantee has one or more HUD HECM Roster Counselors that are awarded Comprehensive Grant funds directly from HUD, or indirectly through an Intermediary or SHFA, and the Grantee or Subgrantee receives a single additional subgrant for reverse mortgage counseling activities from an Intermediary that provides reverse mortgage counseling exclusively.

B. Ineligible Applicants.

Applicants that do not meet the criteria of Section III.A are ineligible.

C. Cost Sharing or Matching.

This Program does not require cost sharing, matching or leveraging.

D. Threshold Eligibility Requirements.

Applicants who fail to meet any of the following threshold eligibility requirements will be deemed ineligible. Applications from ineligible applicants will not be evaluated.

Outstanding civil rights matters must be resolved to HUD’s satisfaction prior to grant award, provided that all applicable legal processes have been satisfied.

1. Timely Submission of Applications. – Applications submitted after the deadline stated within this NOFA that do not meet the requirements of the grace period policy will be marked late. Late applications are ineligible and will not be considered for funding. See also Section IV Application and Submission Information, part D. Application Submission Dates and Times.

E. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements Affecting Eligibility.

Eligibility Requirements for Applicants of HUD's Grants Programs.

The following requirements affect applicant eligibility. Detailed information on each requirement is posted on HUD’s Funding Opportunities Page (click here).

Outstanding Delinquent Federal Debts Debarments and/or Suspensions Pre-selection Review of Performance Sufficiency of Financial Management System False Statements Mandatory Disclosure Requirement Prohibition Against Lobbying Activities Equal Participation of Faith-Based Organizations in HUD Programs and Activities

F. Program-Specific Requirements Affecting Eligibility.

1. Audits and Investigations. Applicants must comply with the audit filing requirements at 2 C.F.R. 200.501. Applicants must also disclose to HUD the status of active federal investigations at the time of the NOFA application submission date or thereafter. HUD may determine that Applicants are not eligible for grant funding based on its review of such external audits and federal investigations.

2. Client Management System. All Applicants, Branches, and Subgrantees must use a HUD-compliant CMS that interfaces with HUD’s Housing Counseling System (HCS). HUD will review individual circumstances when an agency is transitioning client management systems.

3. Subgrant Allocation. Applicants that manage networks of counseling agencies submit proposed sub-allocation plan indicating how they will divide their HUD Housing Counseling grant funds among their Branches and Subgrantees, based on percentages of the grant rather than dollar amounts (Chart A2, Fields P1 and P2). Only Subgrantees and Branches that provide housing counseling services should be listed. Subgrantees or Branches that perform only https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps administrative functions should not be listed. Intermediaries and SHFAs that award subgrants to counseling agencies that are not HUD-approved must ensure that they meet or exceed HUD’s approval standards as outlined in 24 C.F.R. Part 214 and clarified in HUD policy guidance.

Further, a Subgrantee cannot be funded at 100% of its budget. During grant execution, Grantees will input this sub-allocation plan into HCS. If, after the grants are awarded, a Grantee would like to change its sub-allocation plan, the Grantee must make a request in writing and provide justification.

4. Subgrant Agreement. Intermediaries and SHFAs that award subgrants must execute subgrant agreements with Subgrantees that delineate the mutual responsibilities for program management, including appropriate time frames for reporting results to HUD and compliance with HUD rules and regulations. These records must meet the data requirements of the Transparency Act, and must be made available to Subgrantees, Branches, and HUD within 30 days of making the subaward or allocation.

5. Succession and Contingency Plans. During grant execution, Grantees must submit plans demonstrating how they will ensure continuity of services to consumers.

6. Documentation of Expenses. The Grantee and Subgrantees must maintain source documentation of direct costs, such as invoices, receipts, cancelled checks, and personnel activity reports, to support all Line of Credit Control System (LOCCS) draw requests for payment. This information must be made available upon request and maintained for a period of at least three years after the expiration of the Grant period or date of last payment, whichever occurs first. All grantees and Subgrantees must be able to demonstrate and document the actual cost of service provision. The amount billed cannot exceed the actual cost of providing the service.

7. Documentation of Personnel Expenses. Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed and meet the standards required in 2 C.F.R Part 200.430(i). The records must support the distribution of employee’s salaries and wages among specific activities or cost objectives if the employee works on more than one Federal award; a Federal award and non-Federal award; an indirect cost activity and a direct cost activity; two or more indirect activities which are allocated using different allocation bases; or an unallowable activity and a direct or indirect cost activity. Budget estimates alone do not qualify as support for charges to awards. Records must reasonably reflect the total activity for which employees are compensated.

8. Subcontracting. Grantees and Subgrantees must deliver the housing counseling services set forth in the Applicant’s Work Plan. It is not permissible to contract out housing counseling services, except as specified in 24 C.F.R. § 214.103(i).

9. Conflicts of Interest. See 24 C.F.R. Part 214 for information about the Applicant’s code of conduct and the prohibition against real and apparent conflicts of interest that may arise among officers, employees, agents, or other parties.

10. Home Inspection Materials. If a grantee provides homebuyer counseling or education, the client must be provided a copy of the following materials: “For Your Protection Get a Home Inspection” (Form HUD-92564) and “Ten Important Questions to Ask Your Home Inspector.”

11. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH). Under Section 808(e)(5) of the Fair Housing Act, HUD has a statutory duty to affirmatively further fair housing. HUD requires the same of its funding recipients: As provided in the AFFH rule (24 CFR 5.150), AFFH means:

taking meaningful actions, in addition to combating discrimination, that overcome patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunity based on protected characteristics. Specifically, affirmatively furthering fair housing means taking meaningful actions that, taken together, address significant disparities in housing needs and in access to opportunity, replacing segregated living patterns with truly integrated and balanced living patterns, transforming racially and ethnically concentrated areas of poverty into areas of opportunity, and fostering and maintaining compliance with civil rights and fair housing laws. The duty to affirmatively further fair housing extends to all of a program participant's activities and programs relating to housing and urban development.

Examples of housing counseling activities that would fulfill the affirmatively furthering fair housing policy priority include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Providing persons with counseling, education, or information on discriminatory housing and mortgage lending practices and the rights and remedies available.

2. Maintaining a database of accessible housing opportunities in the community and providing database for use by persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) or disabilities.

3. Providing mobility counseling to help persons move to housing that is not located in areas of poverty concentration or minority concentration, including helping persons identify housing opportunities, helping them connect with landlords, and assisting them with applying for such housing.

12. Prohibition Against Lobbying Activities. Applicants are subject to the provisions of Section 319 of Public Law 101-121, 31 U.S.C. 1352 (Byrd Amendment), 24 CFR part 87 and 2 CFR 200.450, which prohibit recipients of federal awards and their contractors, subcontractors, at any tier, and subgrantees at any tier, from using appropriated funds for lobbying the executive or legislative branches of the Federal government in connection with a Federal award. In addition, grant funds under this NOFA shall not be utilized to advocate or influence the outcome of any Federal, state or local election, referendum, initiative or similar procedure or policy position through contributions, endorsements, publicity, or similar activity.

G. Criteria for Beneficiaries.

IV. Application and Submission Information.

A. Obtaining an Application Package.

Instructions for Applicants.

You must download both the Application Instruction and the Application Package from Grants.gov. You must verify that the CFDA Number and CFDA Description on the first page of the Application Package, and the Funding Opportunity Title and the Funding Opportunity Number match the Program and NOFA to which you are applying.

The Application Package contains the portable document forms (PDFs) available on Grants.gov, such as the SF-424 Family. The Instruction Download contains official copies of the NOFA and forms necessary for a complete application. The Instruction Download may include Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and additional documents.

An applicant demonstrating good cause may request a waiver from the requirement for electronic submission. For example, a lack of available Internet access in the geographic area in which your business offices are located. Lack of SAM registration or valid DUNS is not deemed good cause. If you cannot submit your application electronically, you must ask in writing for a waiver of the electronic grant submission requirements. HUD will not grant a waiver if HUD does not receive your written request at least 15 days before the application deadline and if you do not demonstrate good cause. An email request for a waiver sent 15 days before the application is due will also be considered. If HUD waives the requirement, HUD must receive your paper application before the deadline of this NOFA. To request a waiver you must contact:

Email: Housing.Counseling@hud.gov Waiver requests must be submitted with the subject line “NOFA - Request for Waiver of Electronic Application.”

NOFA applications and forms are available from http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants /apply-for-grants.html. Below are basic instructions for obtaining the application instructions and package:

1. Go to the “Package” tab of the Grant Opportunity. Click “Preview” to view the instructions and application package. Click “Apply” and “Create a Workspace” to access fillable forms and begin the application process.

2. Click “Download Instructions” to download a WinZip folder containing the following files:

i. Comprehensive Housing Counseling NOFA pdf

ii. HUD-9906-L pdf (application for LHCAs)

iii. HUD-9906-P pdf (application for Intermediaries, SHFAs and MSOs)

iv. Chart A2 Supplement xls (for Intermediaries, SHFAs and MSOs)

v. Chart B Supplement xls

vi. HUD 50153 Certification of Consistency with Promise Zone pdf

3. The grants.gov Workspace will list Mandatory and Optional forms, fillable as PDFs or webforms, if available. Applicants must complete all required fields and upload the Mandatory forms in order for grants.gov to allow submission of the package. Grants.gov may not permit submission of an incomplete or improperly filled-out form.

4. To add required attachments (like the HUD-9906, supplemental spreadsheets, etc.), click mailto:Housing.Counseling@hud.gov http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/appli http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html http://grants.gov

"Include in Package" to use the “Attachments Form.” Click the “Add Attachment” box to attach documents and forms.

5. When the application is complete, you may click “Check Package for Errors.”

6. To submit the completed application on behalf of the organization, an Authorized

Organization representative must click “Sign and Submit.” Applications may not be received by grants.gov or by HUD until they have been signed and submit by an AOR prior to the application deadline.

If Applicants have difficulty accessing the information, Applicants may call the help desk at

(800) 518-GRANTS or e-mailing support@grants.gov. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, or who have speech disabilities, may contact customer support through the Federal Relay Service's teletype service at 1-800-877-8339. The Grants.gov help desk is available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, except federal holidays.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission.

You must verify that boxes 11, 12, and 13 on the SF424 match the NOFA for which you are applying. If they do not match, you have downloaded the wrong Application Instruction and Application Package.

Submission of an application that is otherwise sufficient, under the wrong CFDA and Funding Opportunity Number is a curable deficiency.

1. Content.

Forms for your package include the forms outlined below:

Forms / Assurances / Certifications

Submission Requirement Notes / Description

HUD Applicant Recipient Disclosure Report

(HUD) 2880

Applicant/Recipient Disclosure/Update Report

HUD will provide instructions to grantees on how the form is to be submitted.

HUD instructions to grantees are provided by webcast, To view the webcast, click here.

Additionally, your complete application must include the following narratives and non-form attachments.

See Application Checklist below for a list of required content.

2. Format and Form.

Narratives and other attachments to your application must follow the following format guidelines.

mailto:support@grants.gov http://grants.gov/ http://media.gss.hud.gov:8080/WC/2011/02/11/HUDForm2880.wmv

a. Application Checklist (Required of all Applicants). Below are forms, information, and certifications that all Applicants must complete:

1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. Applicants should check "new" for block 2 for "Type of Application." Applicants may leave blocks 4, 5a, and 5b blank. For block 8c of the form, ensure that your DUNS identifier is correct and is listed on SAM.gov with an active registration. In block 8d, you must include a 9 digit number for your organization’s zip code (zip plus 4 digits). Applicants are not required to request a specific grant amount, but should enter a response of $1.00 in block 18a.

2. HUD-2880 Applicant/Recipient Disclosure/Update Report. Applicants must complete the HUD-2880. Applicants should check the box "Initial Report." In block 4, "Amount of HUD Assistance Requested/Received" of this form, Applicants may enter $1.00: HUD will not use this amount as a cap in establishing the maximum grant amount for the applicant (applicants may indicate a maximum grant amount in the HUD-9906).

Applicants that have received or expect to receive HUD assistance for housing counseling in excess of $200,000 during FY 2019 must select "yes" under the second question in "Part I Threshold Determinations.” Detailed instructions for completing the form are found at this link: http://portal.hud .gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=2880 .pdf.

3. HUD-9906 Housing Counseling Charts. LHCA applicants must complete and submit the HUD-9906-L (pdf). Intermediary/SHFA/MSO applicants must complete and submit the HUD-9906-P (pdf) and the Chart A2 Supplement (Excel). All applicants with leveraged funds must complete the Chart B Supplement (Excel). Please be advised that there are multiple components (i.e., Chart A, Chart B, etc.) that comprise the HUD- 9906. As these charts change each grant cycle, Applicants may not reuse the HUD-9906 from previous applications.

4. Organization Description. Applicants must provide a brief description of their organization of no more than 225 words. This description will appear in the press release issued by HUD announcing the grant awards if the Applicant is funded through this NOFA. Each description should contain: organizational history, purpose and mission, years of service, affordable housing services provided, and agency web address for additional information.

5. Audit. Applicants must provide the most recent audit of financial activities (e.g. a single or program-specific audit required under 2 C.F.R. Part 200.501) with completed audit no earlier than its fiscal year 2016. All Applicants not required to complete a single or program-specific audit under 2 C.F.R. Part 200.501 must submit their most recent independent financial audit. HUD will review individual circumstances upon request.

6. Certification Regarding Lobbying. All applicants must complete the Certification Regarding Lobbying to ensure applicants acknowledge the requirements in Section 319 of Public Law 101-121, 31 U.S.C. 1352, (the Byrd Amendment) and 24 CFR part 87.

These statutes and regulation prohibit the use of federal award funds for lobbying the executive or legislative branches of the Federal Government in connection with a specific award. This is separate from the requirement for applicants to report lobbying activities using the SF-LLL form.

b. Application Checklist (Applicable Only to Certain Applicants). Below are forms, information, and certifications that certain Applicants must include depending on their http://sam.gov/ http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=2880.pdf http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=2880.pdf individual circumstances:

1. HUD-50153, Certification of Consistency with Promise Zone Goals and Implementation (if applicable). Applicants requesting Promise Zone preference points must submit a form signed by the authorized official for the designated Promise Zone.

2. HUD-9902, Housing Counseling Agency Fiscal Year Activity Report, for the Period October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018 (if applicable). Applicants will be evaluated based on the HUD-9902 data in HUD's Housing Counseling System (HCS).

Newly-approved applicants that received approval as HUD housing counseling agencies after September 30, 2018, and did not submit a Fiscal Year 2018 Quarter 4 HUD-9902 as of April 8, 2019, must prepare and submit a HUD-9902 as part of the application.

3. SF-LLL, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable).

4. SHFA Statutory Authority (if applicable). SHFAs must submit evidence of their statutory authority to operate as a SHFA, as defined in this NOFA, and must submit evidence of their authority to apply for funds and subsequently use any funds awarded.

Applicants should verify that their agency profile information is accurately represented in HUD’s HCS and validate the information prior to submitting the grant application.

HUD will contact SHFA Applicants that are new to the program to establish their profiles in the HCS.

C. System for Award Management (SAM) and Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number.

1. SAM Registration Requirement.

Applicants must be registered with SAM before submitting their application. In addition, applicants must maintain an active SAM registration with current information while they have an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by HUD.

2. DUNS Number Requirement.

Applicants must provide a valid DUNS number, registered and active at SAM, in the application. DUNS numbers may be obtained for free from Dun & Bradstreet.

3. Requirement to Register with Grants.gov.

Anyone planning to submit applications on behalf of an organization must register at Grants.gov and be approved by the EBiz Point of Contact in SAM to submit applications for the organization.

Registration for SAM and Grants.gov is a multi-step process and can take four (4) weeks or longer to complete if data issues arise. Applicants without a valid registration cannot submit an application through Grants.gov. Complete registration instructions and guidance are provided at Grants.gov. See also Section IV.B for necessary form and content information.

D. Application Submission Dates and Times.

http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform

The application deadline is 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern time on 07/01/2019. Applications must be received no later than the deadline.

Submit your application to Grants.gov unless a waiver has been issued allowing you to submit your application in paper form. Instructions for submitting your paper application will be contained in the waiver of electronic submission.

"Received by Grants.gov" means the applicant received a confirmation of receipt and an application tracking number from Grants.gov. Grants.gov then assigns an application tracking number and date-and time-stamps each application upon successful receipt by the Grants.gov system. A submission attempt not resulting in confirmation of receipt and an application tracking number is not considered received by Grants.gov.

Applications received by Grants.gov must be validated by…