Foa_Content_of_FR-6600-N-41.pdf

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Public and Indian Housing

Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Competitive NOFO for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022

FR-6600-N-41

08/08/2022

Table of Contents Summary

Overview

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Program Description

B. Authority

II. Award Information

A. Available Funds

B. Number of Awards

C. Minimum/Maximum Award Information

D. Period of Performance

E. Type of Funding Instrument

III. Eligibility Information

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

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 Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

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 and Terms for HUD Recipients Financial Assistance Awards

C. Reporting

D. Debriefing

VII. Agency Contact(s)

VIII. Other Information

APPENDIX

Program Office:

Public and Indian Housing Funding Opportunity Title:

Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Competitive NOFO for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Funding Opportunity Number:

FR-6600-N-41

Assistance Listing Number:

14.880 Due Date for Applications:

08/08/2022 Summary The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Strategic Plan sets the direction and focus of our programs and staff to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality, affordable homes for all.

HUD's Strategic Goals HUD’s FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan lays out this administration’s strategy for ensuring everyone has an affordable, healthy place to live. Over the course of the next four years HUD will pursue two overarching priorities focused on increasing equity and improving customer experience across all HUD programs. Five strategic goals undergird the Plan as follows:

Strategic Goal 1: Support Underserved Communities Strategic Goal 2: Ensure Access to and Increase the Production of Affordable Housing Strategic Goal 3: Promote Homeownership Strategic Goal 4: Advance Sustainable Communities Strategic Goal 5: Strengthen HUD’s Internal Capacity

The five goals of the FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan present the core vision of what we hope to accomplish, the strategies to accomplish those objectives, and the indicators of success.

Overview The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issues this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to invite applications from eligible applicants for the program and purpose described within this NOFO. 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.

During the selection process 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 NOFO: Please direct questions regarding the specific requirements of this NOFO to the office contact identified in Section VII.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement. The information collection requirements in this notice have been approved by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501- 3520). In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless the collection displays a valid OMB control number. Each NOFO will identify its applicable OMB control number unless its collection of information is excluded from these requirements under 5 CFR part 1320.

OMB Approval Number(s):

2577-0169

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION.

A. Program Description.

Purpose

Overview. This Foster Youth to Independence Competitive (FYI Competitive) NOFO makes Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) assistance available to Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) in partnership with Public Child Welfare Agencies (PCWAs). The FYI Competitive utilizes funding appropriated to serve youth under the Family Unification Program (FUP). Under the FYI Competitive NOFO PHAs provide housing assistance in the form of housing choice vouchers on behalf of:

Youth at least 18 years and not more than 24 years of age (have not reached their 25th birthday) who left foster care, or will leave foster care within 90 days, in accordance with a transition plan described in Section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act, and are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless at age 16 or older.

As required by statute, an FYI Competitive voucher issued to such a youth may only be used to provide housing assistance for the youth for a maximum of 36 months. The Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities (FSHO) amendments, most of which HUD implemented in the Federal Register on January 24, 2022, provides an extension for up to 24 months beyond the 36-month time limit for youth who meet certain requirements. FSHO applies to youth who first leased or leases a unit with an FYI voucher after the date of enactment of FSHO, December 27, 2020, which includes youth that will be assisted with funding under this NOFO.

FYI Competitive is a complement to the (FYI) initiative.

Information on FYI may be found at the following webpage:

https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/hcv/fyi

Policy Priorities. This NOFO adopts the following policy priorities:

1. Expand opportunities under FYI.

2. Increase coordination between PHAs, PCWAs, and third-party partners;

3. Leverage data to strategically target and prioritize the use of resources for eligible youth;

4. Strengthen connections to the HUD Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program or similar programs promoting self-sufficiency; and

5. Increase access to FYI vouchers by PHAs with high utilization of the FYI vouchers.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-5/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-1320?toc=1 https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/hcv/fyi

Changes from Previous NOFO.

This section highlights only the major differences from the prior year FYI Competitive NOFA.

Applicants should read this entire NOFO carefully to ensure that all threshold and eligibility requirements are met (otherwise the applicant will be ineligible for funding), and that the program requirements listed in this NOFO are followed.

Revised rating factors elements. The Rating Factor section introduces a new element to increase access to FYI Competitive vouchers for PHAs with high utilization of all FYI vouchers, including those awarded non-competitively.

Definitions.

a. Standard Definitions

Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH). Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) means taking meaningful actions, in addition to combating discrimination to 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 opportunities, 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 program participant’s activities and programs relating to housing and urban development.

Assistance Listing number refers to the publicly available listing of Federal assistance programs managed and administered by the General Services Administration, formerly known as the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). Assistance Listing is a unique number assigned to identify a Federal Assistance Listings, formerly known as the CFDA

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.

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 HUD’s requirements regarding the Consolidated Plan and related Action Plan).

Contract means, for the purpose of Federal financial assistance, a legal instrument by which a recipient or subrecipient purchases property or services needed to carry out the project or program under a federal award. For additional information on contractor and subrecipient determinations, see 2 CFR 200.331.

Contractor means an entity that receives a contract as defined above and in 2 CFR 200.1.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-24/subtitle-A/part-91 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR031321e29ac5bbd/section-200.331 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200

Deficiency is information missing or omitted within a submitted application. Examples of deficiencies include missing documents, information on a form, or some other type of unsatisfied information requirement. Depending on specific criteria, deficiencies may be either Curable or Non-Curable.

Curable Deficiencies may be corrected by the applicant with timely action. To be curable the deficiency must:

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

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

Non-Curable Deficiencies cannot be corrected by an applicant 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 Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Number System identification number assigned to a business or organization by Dun & Bradstreet and provides a means of identifying business entities on a location-specific basis.

E-Business Point of Contact (E-Biz POC) A user registered as an organization applicant who is responsible for the administration and management of grant activities for his or her organization.

The E-Biz POC is likely to be an organization's chief financial officer or authorizing official. The E-Biz POC authorizes representatives of their organization to apply on behalf of the organization (see Standard AOR and Expanded AOR). There can only be one E-Biz POC per DUNS Number.

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

Expanded Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) An AOR is a member of your organization authorized by the EBiz POC to submit applications in Grants.gov on behalf of the organization. An applicant user with the Expanded AOR role is authorized to submit any applications on behalf of the organization and has privileges that allow the user to modify organization-level settings in Grants.gov.

Federal Financial Assistance means assistance that entities received or administer in the form of:

1. Grants;

2. Cooperative agreements (which does not include a cooperative research and development agreement pursuant to the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986, as amended (15 U.S.C. 3710a)).

3. Loans;

4. Loan guarantees;

5. Subsidies;

6. Insurance;

7. Food commodities;

8. Direct appropriations;

9. Assessed and voluntary contributions; and

10. Any other financial assistance transaction that authorizes the non-Federal entity's expenditure of Federal funds.

11. Federal financial assistance does not include amounts received as reimbursement for services rendered to individuals as described in section 200.502(h) and (i). (2 CFR 200.1)

Federal award, has the meaning, depending on the context, in either paragraph (i) or (ii) of this definition:

1. (i) The Federal financial assistance that a recipient receives directly from a Federal awarding agency or a subrecipient receives indirectly from a pass-through entity, as described in 2 CFR §200.101; or

ii. The cost-reimbursement contract under the Federal Acquisition Regulations that a non- Federal entity receives directly from a federal awarding agency or indirectly from a pass- through entity, as described in 2 CFR §200.101.

2. The instrument setting forth the terms and conditions. The instrument is the grant agreement, cooperative agreement, other agreement for assistance covered in paragraph (2) of the definitions of Federal financial assistance in 2 CFR §200.1, and this NOFO, or the cost-reimbursement contract awarded under the Federal Acquisition Regulations.

3. Federal award does not include other contracts that a Federal agency uses to buy goods or services from a contractor or a contract to operate Federal Government owned, contractor operated facilities (GOCOs).

4. See also definitions of Federal financial assistance, grant agreement, and cooperative agreement in 2 CFR 200.1.

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 on Grants.gov is required for submission of applications to prospective agencies unless otherwise specified in this NOFO.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, defines an HBCU 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 of Education 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.” HBCUs offer all students, regardless of race, an opportunity to develop their skills and talents.

Non-Federal Entity (NFE) means a state, local government, Indian tribe, Institution of Higher Education (IHE), or non-profit organization that carries out a federal award as a recipient or subrecipient.

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

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-F/subject-group-ECFRfd0932e473d10ba/section-200.502 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200 http://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200

Recipient means an entity, usually but not limited to non-Federal entities, that receives a federal award directly from HUD. The term recipient does not include subrecipients or individuals that are beneficiaries of the award.

Small business is defined as a privately-owned corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship that has fewer employees and less annual revenue than a corporation or regular-sized business.

The definition of “small”—in terms of being able to apply for government support and qualify for preferential tax policy—varies by country and industry. The U.S. Small Business Administration defines a small business according to a set of standards based on specific industries. See 13 CFR Part 121.

Standard Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) An AOR is a member of your organization authorized by the EBiz POC to submit applications in Grants.gov on behalf of the organization. An applicant user with the Standard AOR role can only submit applications when they are a Participant of that workspace.

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 pass-through entity. It does not include payments to a contractor or payments to an individual that is a 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.

Subrecipient means an entity, usually but not limited to non-Federal entities, that receives a subaward from a pass-through entity to carry out part of a federal award but does not include an individual that is a beneficiary of such award. A subrecipient may also be a recipient of other federal awards directly from a federal awarding agency.

System for Award Management (SAM) is the Federal Repository into which an entity must provide information required for the conduct of business as a recipient. Registration with SAM is required for submission of applications via Grants.gov. You can access the website at https://www.sam.gov/SAM/. There is no cost to use SAM.

Threshold Requirements are an eligibility requirement that must be met for an application to be reviewed. Threshold requirements 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.

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) means the identifier assigned by SAM to uniquely identify business entities.

Program Definitions.

The following definitions apply to the funding authority available under this NOFO.

At Risk of Homelessness means the individual or family who:

(i) Has an annual income below 30 percent of median family income for the area, as determined by HUD

(ii) Does not have sufficient resources or support networks, e.g., family, friends, faith-based or other social networks, immediately available to prevent them from moving to an emergency shelter or another place described in paragraph (1) of the “Homeless” definition at 24 CFR 576.2; and https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-121?toc=1 https://www.sam.gov/SAM/

(iii) Meets one of the following conditions:

(A) Has moved because of economic reasons two or more times during the 60 days immediately preceding the application for homelessness prevention assistance;

(B) Is living in the home of another because of economic hardship;

(C) Has been notified in writing that their right to occupy their current housing or living situation will be terminated within 21 days of the date of application for assistance;

(D) Lives in a hotel or motel and the cost of the hotel or motel stay is not paid by charitable organizations or by federal, State, or local government programs for low-income individuals;

(E) Lives in a single-room occupancy or efficiency apartment unit in which there reside more than two persons, or lives in a larger housing unit in which there reside more than 1.5 people per room, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau;

(F) Is exiting a publicly funded institution, or system of care (such as a health-care facility, a mental health facility, foster care or other youth facility, or correction program or institution); or

(G) Otherwise lives in housing that has characteristics associated with instability and an increased risk of homelessness, as identified in the recipient's approved consolidated plan;

Community is a self-organized network of people in a defined geographic area with common agenda, cause, or interest, who collaborate by sharing ideas, information, and other resources.

Continuum of Care (CoC) means the group organized to carry out the responsibilities required under 24 CFR part 578 and that is composed of representatives of organizations, including nonprofit homeless providers, victim service providers, faith-based organizations, governments, businesses, advocates, public housing agencies, school districts, social service providers, mental health agencies, hospitals, universities, affordable housing developers, law enforcement, organizations that serve homeless and formerly homeless veterans, and homeless and formerly homeless persons to the extent these groups are represented within the geographic area and are available to participate.

FUP is an acronym for the Family Unification Program.

FUP-Eligible Family means a family that the PCWA has certified as a family for whom the lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in the imminent placement of the family's child, or children, in out-of-home care, or in the delay of discharge of a child, or children, to the family from out-of-home care, and that the PHA has determined is eligible for a HCV. Note, such families are not eligible to receive assistance from the funding PHAs are awarded under this

NOFO.

FUP-Eligible Youth/FYI Competitive-Eligible Youth means a youth that the PCWA has certified to be at least 18 years old and not more than 24 years of age (has not reached their 25th birthday) who left foster care, or will leave foster care within 90 days, in accordance with a transition plan described in section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act, and is homeless or is at risk of becoming homeless at age 16 or older. Eligibility is not limited to single persons. PHAs may not exclude pregnant or parenting youth from service, because excluding families with children would violate the Fair Housing Act. Thus, any pregnant or parenting youth who otherwise meets the definition of youth must be served by the grantee.

Homeless has the meaning provided in regulation at 24 CFR 578.3.

Public Child Welfare Agency (PCWA) is the agency that is responsible under applicable State law for determining that a child is at imminent risk of placement in out-of-home care or that a child in out-of-home care under the supervision of the public agency may be returned to his or her family, or that a youth is at least 18 years and not more than 24 years of age and left foster care, or will leave foster care within 90 days, in accordance with a transition plan described in section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act, and is homeless or is at risk of becoming homeless at age 16 or older. For states that have privatized child welfare, the agency designated to conduct child welfare on behalf of the state may be considered a PCWA.

Per Unit Cost (PUC) is the value of the voucher identified by HUD for the Public Housing Authority (PHA). The value is based on each PHAs expenses and Units Months Leased (UMLs).

5. Web Resources.

HUD will provide responses regarding specific program requirements for this NOFO to a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document that will be made available at the following webpage: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/hcv/fyi. The document will be titled “FYI Competitive FAQs.” Please review the FAQs before submitting a question as your question may have already been answered. Questions may be submitted by email to FYICompetitive@hud.gov. Early submission of questions is recommended. During previous competitions some applicants waited until just before the NOFO deadline to submit their question(s). Depending on the volume, nature, and the timing of the submission, HUD may not be able to review and post a response prior to the NOFO deadline.

B. Authority.

FYI Competitive NOFO is authorized by section 8(x) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(x)). Funding for this NOFO is provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L., 117-103, approved March 15, 2022) (2022 Appropriations Act) that provides $10 million for incremental voucher assistance through the FUP for youth. HUD is also making available through this NOFO $5.3 million in carryover funding from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L., 116-260, approved December 27, 2020) (2021 Appropriations Act).

II. Award Information.

A. Available Funds Funding of approximately $15,300,000 is available through this NOFO.

Additional funds may become available for award under this NOFO. Use of these funds might be subject to statutory constraints or other requirements. All awards are subject to the funding restrictions contained in this NOFO.

B. Number of Awards.

HUD expects to make approximately 20 awards from the funds available under this NOFO.

https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/hcv/fyi mailto:FYICompetitive@hud.gov

The estimate of 20 awards to PHAs is subject to change based on the number and characteristics of the applications received.

C. Minimum/Maximum Award Information Minimum Award No award will be for less than 3 vouchers. As a result, PHAs may apply for no fewer than 3 vouchers. HUD is not assigning a value floor to the minimum award. Instead, the corresponding value floor is tied to the PHA-specific PUC.

Maximum Award The maximum award will be based upon the size of the PHA's voucher program and the identified need for such vouchers (the number of vouchers. The number of vouchers projected to be needed to assist FYI Competitive-eligible youth over a 12-month period as reported in the Statement of Need, consistent with the following chart:

PHA voucher program size

Maximum voucher award under this NOFO

Fewer than 500 HCVs vouchers

500 - 1,999 HCVs

2,000 – or more HCVs

Or Identified need, if lower than indicated cap

The maximum award of vouchers to a PHA will not exceed $1,200,000. Where a PHA’s voucher PUC would result in exceeding the maximum award amount, the PHA’s award will be prorated. For example, a PHA with a 12-month average PUC of $17,000 per voucher and a maximum voucher award of 75 vouchers would exceed the maximum award amount by $75,000. This applicant would be eligible to receive no more than 70 vouchers before taking in to account the applicant’s score and any additional proration.

Avg.

PUC

Max.

Voucher Award

Voucher Award Amt

Maximum A vailable for Voucher Award

Maximum Available for Voucher Award/PUC $1,200,000/17,000

# of Vouchers to Award within Maximum Funding

$17,000 75

$1,275,000 $1,200,000 70.58 70

Within the minimum and maximum award thresholds, HUD will allocate vouchers according to the selection process described in Section V. B.

Awards may be prorated if funding has been exhausted before making awards to the highest scoring applications.

If, as a result of implementing the maximum voucher or award amount thresholds, additional funds remain, HUD may decide to increase the maximum voucher and/or award amount thresholds by the rate necessary to expend the remaining funds.

Estimated Total Funding:

$15,300,000 Minimum Award Amount:

$51,000 Per Project Period

Maximum Award Amount:

$1,200,000 Per Project Period

D. Period of Performance Estimated Project Start Date:

11/01/2022 Estimated Project End Date:

11/01/2023 Length of Project Periods:

12-month project period and budget period

Length of Periods Explanation of Other:

E. Type of Funding Instrument.

Funding Instrument Type:

G (Grant) III. Eligibility Information.

A. Eligible Applicants.

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

Additional Information on Eligibility Information on Eligible Applicants

1. Only PHAs that have an existing Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) with HUD for HCVs are eligible to apply for funding under this announcement.

2. PHAs wishing to share the administration of the program with another PHA may apply jointly, however, the Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) will be solely with the lead PHA applicant and all reporting must be submitted via the lead PHA applicant. The maximum number of vouchers will be based on the lead NOFO PHA's voucher program size. NOFO (i.e., no more than the number of vouchers the same PHA would be eligible to apply for if it had only one PHA code number).

3. Eligible PHAs must have demonstrate a commitment to administer FYI Competitive vouchers, which shall be verified by an executed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the PHA and PCWA. HUD strongly encourages adding other important partners, such as a State, local, government, philanthropic, faith-based organizations, and CoC, or a CoC recipient it designates, to the partnership. The MOU must also identify the assistance being provided and state who will be providing such assistance.

4. HUD will only consider funding one application per PHA. This one application limit applies regardless of whether the PHA is a State or regional PHA. In instances where a PHA has more than one PHA code number due to its operating under the jurisdiction of more than one HUD Field Office, a separate application, under each code, shall be considered for funding with the cumulative total of vouchers applied for under the applications not to exceed the maximum number of vouchers the PHA is eligible to apply for under this NOFO (i.e., no more than the number of vouchers the same PHA would be eligible to apply for if it had only one PHA code number).

B. Ineligible Applicants.

During previous competitions HUD has received applications from individuals (individuals are not eligible to apply); PHAs that administer a Public Housing program or Mainstream assistance administered by other non-profits/entities but do not have an existing ACC with HUD for HCVs;

and other entities are ineligible to receive funding.

HUD will not evaluate applications from ineligible applicants. Ineligible applicants will not receive communications from HUD regarding their application.

A contract administrator that does not have an ACC with HUD for HCVs, but constitutes a PHA under 24 CFR 982.4 by reason of its administering HCVs on behalf of another PHA, is not eligible to submit an application under this NOFO.

Nonprofit administrators of HCV Mainstream assistance, which by statute are classified as PHAs solely for the purpose of administering HCV mainstream assistance, are also ineligible for FYI Competitive funding.

Youth that believe they are eligible to participate in the FUP should contact their local PHA, PCWA, or a third-party such as a State, local government, philanthropic, or faith-based organization, or CoC for assistance.

C. Cost Sharing or Matching.

This Program does not require cost sharing or matching.

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.

1. Resolution of Civil Rights Matters. Outstanding civil rights matters must be resolved before the application deadline. Applicants, who after review are confirmed to have civil rights matters unresolved at the application deadline, will be deemed ineligible. Their applications will receive no further review, will not be rated and ranked, and they will not receive funding.

a. Applicants having any of the charges, cause determinations, lawsuits, or letters of findings referenced in subparagraphs (1) – (5) that have not been resolved to HUD’s satisfaction before or on the application deadline date are ineligible for funding. Such matters include:

1. Charges from HUD concerning a systemic violation of the Fair Housing Act or receipt of a cause determination from a substantially equivalent state or local fair housing agency concerning a systemic violation of a substantially equivalent state or local fair housing law proscribing discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or familial status;

2. Status as a defendant in a Fair Housing Act lawsuit filed by the United States alleging a pattern or practice of discrimination or denial of rights to a group of persons raising an issue of general public importance under 42 U.S.C. 3614(a);

3. Status as a defendant in any other lawsuit filed or joined by the Department of Justice, or in which the Department of Justice has intervened, or filed an amicus brief or statement of interest, alleging a pattern or practice or systemic violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 109 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, the Americans with Disabilities Act or a claim under the False Claims Act related to fair housing, non-discrimination, or civil rights generally including an alleged failure to affirmatively further fair housing;

4. Receipt of a letter of findings identifying systemic non-compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 109 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974; or the Americans with Disabilities Act; or

5. Receipt of a cause determination from a substantially equivalent state or local fair housing agency concerning a systemic violation of provisions of a state or local law prohibiting discrimination in housing based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or lawful source of income.

b. HUD will determine if actions to resolve the charge, cause determination, lawsuit, or letter of findings taken before the application deadline date will resolve the matter.

Examples of actions that may be sufficient to resolve the matter include, but are not limited to:

1. Current compliance with a voluntary compliance agreement signed by all the parties;

2. Current compliance with a HUD-approved conciliation agreement signed by all the parties;

3. Current compliance with a conciliation agreement signed by all the parties and approved by the state governmental or local administrative agency with jurisdiction over the matter;

4. Current compliance with a consent order or consent decree;

5. Current compliance with a final judicial ruling or administrative ruling or decision; or

6. Dismissal of charges.

2. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing. With some exceptions for federally recognized Indian tribes and their instrumentalities, the application must discuss how the applicant will carry out the proposed activities in a manner that affirmatively furthers fair housing in compliance with the Fair Housing Act and its implementing regulations. Applicants may propose activities that are consistent with their jurisdiction’s Analysis of Impediments (AI), an Assessment of Fair

Housing (AFH), or other means of fair housing planning that meaningfully supports their AFFH certification.

If the applicant will carry out proposed activities in a jurisdiction with an accepted Assessment of Fair Housing (AFH), the proposed activities should be consistent with the AFH's fair housing goals and with fair housing strategies specified in the jurisdiction’s Consolidated Plan or Public Housing Agency Plan.”

3. Timely Submission of Applications. Applications submitted after the deadline stated within this NOFO 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 Section IV. 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.

Active Prime and Sub Recipient registration with SAM.gov Outstanding Delinquent Federal Debts Debarments or Suspensions, or both Pre-selection Review of Performance Sufficiency of Financial Management System False Statements Mandatory Disclosure Requirement Prohibition Against Lobbying Activities In addition, each applicant under this NOFO must have the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the Award Term in Appendix A of 24 CFR part 170 if the applicant receives an award, unless an exception applies as provided in 2 CFR 170.110.

F. Program-Specific Requirements.

1. Program Management Findings. The PHA must not have any major unresolved program management findings from an Inspector General's audit, HUD management review or Independent Public Accountant (IPA) audit for the PHA's HCV program or other significant program compliance problems that were not resolved or in the process of being resolved prior to this NOFO's application deadline. Major program management findings, or significant program compliance problems, are those that would cast doubt on the capacity of the applicant to effectively administer any new HCV funding in accordance with applicable HUD regulatory and statutory requirements.

2. Litigation. The PHA must not be involved in litigation where HUD determines that the litigation may seriously impede the ability of the applicant to administer the vouchers.

3. FYI Competitive Utilization and Reporting. HUD expects full (100 percent) utilization of FYI Competitive vouchers under this NOFO. PHAs administering the FYI Competitive vouchers under this NOFO should continually monitor their utilization of these vouchers.

https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/SPM/documents/EligibilityRequirementsGrantProgramsFiscalYear2022.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-25/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-170 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-170/subpart-A/section-170.110 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-170/subpart-A/section-170.110

PHAs are required to maintain a special program code for FYI participants in line 2n of the Family Report/Moving To Work (MTW) (Expansion Family Report) or line 2p of the MTW Family Report. The code for FYI youth is “FYIC.”

PHAs must continue to use the FYI Competitive vouchers awarded under this NOFO for eligible youth upon turnover.

HUD will review utilization of the assistance made available under this NOFO. HUD will issue a notice on how it will recapture any assistance it determines is no longer needed by the PHA.

4. PHA Code Provided on SF-424. The SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance completed in Grants.gov MUST include the PHA's code under field 5a. Federal Entity Identifier. The PHA Code is a 5-digit code that begins with the state abbreviation and then 3 numbers identifying the PHA within that state.

5. MOU. The PHA must submit an MOU executed by the official representative of the PHA and of the PCWA. Where other partners such as a State, local, government, philanthropic, or faith-based organization, or CoC, (or a CoC recipient it designates) will be a party to the MOU, the responsibilities of the entity must be identified. The MOU should have no fewer than two signatures. Agency and position titles should be clearly identified. For example, if it would not be clear to a reviewer that one of the parties signing the MOU is the official representative of the CoC, or a third-party entity, the MOU must make the role clear. Also make clear where one person has more than one role. For example, in some communities, the PHA Executive Director may also be the CoC Governing Board Chair. Failure to meet this requirement will result in the application failing threshold and will not be considered for further review.

If a PCWA is authorized under State law to contract out its functions and it has done so, both the official representative of the PCWA and the official representative of the contractor organization must sign the MOU.

The MOU execution date must be between the date this NOFO is published and the application deadline date under this NOFO. The MOU will be considered by HUD and the signatories (the PHA, PCWA, and applicable third parties) as a complete statement of the responsibilities of the parties and evidence a commitment of resources to FYI. As such, the document should be as specific as possible. HUD strongly encourages applicants to carefully read all of the requirements of the MOU addressed in this section.

Only one MOU will be accepted per applicant. An application that includes more than one MOU will fail the threshold review and will not be considered for further review.

Information about CoCs, including contact information may be found here: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/coc

The MOU must clearly address, at a minimum, all of the following:

1. The PHA and PCWA's commitment to administering the program.

2. The goals and standards of success in administering the program.

3. Each entity must each identify a staff position that will serve as the lead FYI liaison.

(This must include the staff person's name and/or position title.)

http://Grants.gov https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/coc

4. A statement that all parties agree to cooperate with any program evaluation efforts undertaken by HUD, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), or a HUD or HHS-approved contractor, including compliance with HUD and HHS-approved evaluation protocols and data sharing requests.

5. Identify and define the youth population eligible for assistance as follows:

1. Youth at least 18 years and not more than 24 years of age (have not reached their

25th birthday) who left foster care, or will leave foster care within 90 days, in accordance with a transition plan described in Section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act, and are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless at age 16 or older.

2. As required by statute, a voucher issued to such a youth may only be used to provide housing assistance for the youth for a maximum of 36 months. The Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities (FSHO) amendments, published in the Federal Register on January 24, 2022, provides an extension for up to 24 months beyond the 36-month time limit for youth who meet certain requirements. FSHO applies to youth who first leased or leases a unit with an FYI voucher after the date of enactment of FSHO, December 27, 2020.

6. The assistance that will be provided to youth in locating housing units and working with landlords to secure appropriate eligible units, listing the organization(s) responsible for providing this assistance.

7. The services to be provided to FYI Competitive-eligible youth, listing the organization(s) to provide the services and resources. The MOU must state that all of the services in (1) through (5) below will be provided for a period of at least 36 months to FYI Competitive-eligible youth receiving rental assistance through the use of a FYI Competitive voucher regardless of age. HUD encourages full participation in self-sufficiency services as appropriate for the participating youth.

1. Basic life skills information/counseling on money management, use of credit, housekeeping, proper nutrition/meal preparation; and access to health care (e.g., doctors, medication, and mental and behavioral health services); while ensuring youth understand such services are voluntary.

2. Counseling on compliance with rental lease requirements and with HCV program participant requirements, including assistance/referrals for assistance on security deposits, utility hook-up fees, and utility deposits.

3. Providing such assurances to owners of rental property as are reasonable and necessary to assist an eligible youth to rent a unit with a FYI Competitive voucher.

4. Job preparation and attainment counseling (e.g., where to look/how to apply, dress, grooming, and relationships with supervisory personnel, etc.).

5. Educational and career advancement counseling regarding attainment of general equivalency diploma (GED); attendance/financing of education at a technical school, trade school or college; including successful work ethic and attitude models.

8. If applying for rating criteria points under Section V.A., the MOU must describe the activities, as applicable.

9. The MOU must address PHA responsibilities, as outlined in (1) through (9) below.

1. Accept youth certified by the PCWA as eligible for the FYI program under this NOFO. The PHA, upon receipt of a referral(s), must compare the name(s) with youth already on the PHA's HCV waiting list. Any youth on the PHA's HCV waiting list that matches with the PCWA's referral must be assisted in order of their position on the waiting list in accordance with PHA admission policies. Any youth certified by the PCWA as eligible and not on the HCV waiting list must be placed on the waiting list (pending HCV eligibility determination). If the PHA has a closed HCV waiting list, it must reopen the waiting list and place on the waiting list a FYI Competitive applicant youth who is not currently on the PHA's HCV waiting list. The PHA may reopen the waiting list to accept a FYI Competitive applicant youth without opening the waiting list for other applicants;

2. Determine if youth age 18 through 24 referred by the PCWA are eligible for HCV assistance;

3. Determine if any youth age 18 through 24 on its HCV waiting list are living in temporary shelters or otherwise meet the definition of homeless or at-risk of homelessness and may qualify for the FYI Competitive, and refer such applicants to the PCWA and/or third-party entity or CoC, as applicable;

4. Amend the administrative plan in accordance with applicable program regulations and requirements, if needed;

5. Administer the vouchers in accordance with applicable program regulations and requirements;

6. Upon notification that vouchers have been awarded, train the PCWA and applicable partner staff on the PHA's HCV program;

7. Work with the PCWA and applicable third-party entities to develop necessary data and tracking metrics for tracking and improvement purposes;

8. Conduct regular meetings (at least quarterly) with the PCWA third-party entities and

9. Comply with the provisions of the MOU.

10. The MOU must address PCWA responsibilities as outlined in (1) through (8) below.

1. Establish and implement a system to identify eligible youth within the agency's caseload and to review referrals from the PHA, and applicable third-party entities.

2. Establish and implement a system to identify eligible youth not currently within the agency's caseload in cooperation with applicable third-party entities, including integrating the prioritization and referral process for such eligible youth into the third-party entities' coordinated entry process, where applicable;

3. Provide written certification to the PHA that a youth qualifies based upon the criteria established in Section 8(x) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, and this NOFO;

4. Commit sufficient staff resources to ensure that eligible youth are identified and determined eligible in a timely manner. This commitment must include a process to ensure that the PCWA's active caseload is reviewed at least once a month (when the PHA has FYI Competitive vouchers available) to identify eligible youth and refer them to the PHA. Additionally, the PCWA must be prepared to provide referrals to the PHA within 30 working days of receiving notification from the PHA about voucher availability;

5. Provide or leverage follow-up supportive services after the youth leases a unit, documenting the source of funding for these services. Communities are encouraged to leverage non-Federal funds from sources such as: State, local, philanthropic, and faith-based organization.

6. Upon notification that vouchers have been awarded, train PHA, and applicable third-party entity staff on the work of the PCWA as it relates to eligible youth;

7. Conduct regular meetings (at least quarterly) with the PHA, and applicable third-party entities; and

8. Comply with the provisions of the MOU.

11. MOU must address the third-party entity (ies) or CoC responsibilities as outlined in

(1) through (5) below.

This section is only applicable where other partners, such as the State, local, philanthropic, faith-based organizations, and the CoC, or a CoC recipient it designates, will be party to the partnership agreement.

1. Integrate the prioritization and referral process for eligible youth that aren’t currently within the PCWA's caseload into the third-party entities' or local CoC's coordinated entry process. [This element is not required where a third-party does not have a coordinated entry process. Further, this does not mean that youth who are not part of the PCWA's active caseload are required to be added to the third-party entities' or CoC’s coordinated entry process. Youth who are not part of the PCWA's active caseload are not required to be added to the third-party entities' or CoC's coordinated entry process. Such integration is at local discretion.] The third-party entities', CoC, or a CoC recipient it designates, should demonstrate how it is assessing the housing and related service needs for youth, and how it comes to the determination that a FYI Competitive voucher is the appropriate level of assistance needed;

2. Identify services, if any, provided by the third-party entities, CoC, or a CoC recipient it designates, to youth who qualify for such program assistance;

3. Participate in regular meetings conducted by the PHA and PCWA (at least quarterly);

4. Upon notification that vouchers have been awarded, train PHA and PCWA staff on the work of the third-party entities, CoC, or a CoC recipient it designates; and

5. Comply with the provisions of the MOU.

G. Criteria for Beneficiaries.

IV. Application and Submission Information.

A. Obtaining an Application Package.

Instructions for Applicants.

You must download both the Application Instructions and the Application Package from Grants.gov. You must verify that the Assistance Listing Number and Assistance Listing Description on the first page of the Application Package, and the Funding Opportunity Title and the…