Foa_Content_of_FR-6700-N-29K.pdf

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Policy Development and Research

FY 22 HUDRD Grants for University-Nonprofit Partnerships Supporting Community-Engaged Research Designed to Address Homelessness

FR-6700-N-29K

07/13/2023

Table of Contents

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. Obtain 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 Departmental Policy Requirements and Terms for HUD Applicants and Recipients of Financial Assistance Awards

C. Reporting

D. Debriefing

VII. AGENCY CONTACT(S)

VIII. OTHER INFORMATION

APPENDIX

Program Office:

Policy Development and Research Funding Opportunity Title:

FY 22 HUDRD Grants for University-Nonprofit Partnerships Supporting Community-Engaged Research Designed to Address Homelessness Funding Opportunity Number:

FR-6700-N-29K

Assistance Listing Number (formerly CFDA Number):

14.536 Due Date for Applications:

07/13/2023

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. You, as a prospective applicant, 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.

In accordance with Title 24 part 4, subpart B of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), during the selection process (which includes HUD’s NOFO development and publication and concludes with the award of assistance), HUD is prohibited from disclosing covered selection information.

Examples of impermissible disclosures include: 1) information regarding any applicant’s relative standing; 2) the amount of assistance requested by any 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, direct questions regarding the specific requirements of this NOFO to the agency contact identified in section VII.

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501- 3520) (PRA), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the information collection requirements in this NOFO. 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. This NOFO identifies its applicable OMB control number, unless its collection of information is excluded from these requirements under 5 CFR part 1320.

OMB Approval Number(s):

2528-0299

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Program Description

1. Purpose https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-24/subtitle-A/part-4/subpart-B https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-5/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-1320?toc=1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-5/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-1320?toc=1

This NOFO announces the availability of $1,000,000 in cooperative agreement funding to be awarded to institutions of higher education or nonprofit entities that train and support institutions of higher education to conduct research applying community-engaged research methods to address homelessness. Community-engaged research is an approach that meaningfully engages the community that is the subject of the research, including community groups and people with lived experience.[1] The research funded under this NOFO will contribute to general knowledge on the topic of homelessness, as well as the programs and interventions designed to address homelessness in communities, while elevating the perspectives and insights of people with lived experience. In addition, this NOFO is designed to build and expand capacity for community-engaged research methods at institutions of higher education or nonprofit entities and strengthen partnerships between local nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education.

Submitted research proposals must describe how the knowledge generated under the proposed project will contribute to understanding the effectiveness of Federal, state, and/or local policies and programs designed to address homelessness and must demonstrate how the proposed project will build and expand partnerships between nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education to better address homelessness.

Overview

Homelessness is a persistent challenge across the United States in urban, suburban, and rural communities. HUD’s most recent Annual Homelessness Assessment Report[2] notes that on a single night in 2022, roughly 582,500 people were experiencing homelessness in the United States. Six in ten (60%) were staying in sheltered locations, such as emergency shelters or transitional housing programs, and four in ten (40%) were in unsheltered locations such as on the street, in abandoned buildings, or in other places not suitable for human habitation.

Over the past 15 years, there has been a slow but steady reduction in the number of people experiencing homelessness on a given night, but not all groups have benefited equally from that decline. People of color remain disproportionally impacted by homelessness, as do people with disabilities. While still lower than the high-water mark in 2007, the recent uptick in the number of people experiencing homelessness on a given night since 2016 is largely driven by an increase in the number of individuals—usually single adults—experiencing unsheltered homelessness, including people living in encampments. People living in unsheltered locations and encampments tend to have more complex health needs and higher rates of substance use disorders, including opioid use,[3] and these challenges may make it more difficult for them to access emergency shelter.

Progress in reducing homelessness has largely been driven by an expansion of housing opportunities for people experiencing homelessness and in communities that have improved systems coordination. Newer models of housing assistance, such as rapid re-housing, homelessness prevention, and joint-component programs have been implemented throughout the country. The number of families with children and the number of veterans experiencing homelessness on a given night has declined over the past ten years. Investments in evidence-based strategies that provide direct housing assistance, such as the Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program, have increased in recent years, contributing to a significant decline in veterans' homelessness. But, overall, there was a relative flattening of HUD funding for homeless assistance nationwide between 2013 and 2021. This flattening, in concert with an underinvestment in affordable housing development and preservation has led to a diminishing supply of affordable housing options for an increasing number of households whose wages are not keeping pace with inflation, making further progress in reducing homelessness an extraordinary challenge for communities nationwide.

As policymakers and program operators seek new and creative approaches to address homelessness, there is increasing recognition that individuals with lived experience must play a more prominent role in the development of policies and programs to address homelessness. The recently released All In: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness[4] is built around three foundational pillars: lead with equity, use data and evidence to make decisions, and collaborate at all levels. This funding opportunity is designed to support all three of these foundational pillars by supporting research projects that will both inform community responses to homelessness and center the research on the voices and experiences of those with lived experience. Implementing these projects will also provide an opportunity to build partnerships between nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education to expand capacity for community-engaged research methods and/or research related to homelessness through partnerships with people and community groups with lived experience.

Potential Policy Areas for Research

Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals for community-engaged research projects designed to inform critical policy and programmatic issues related to homelessness. Proposals may seek to evaluate specific programs or interventions that prevent or resolve homelessness, analyze community-wide planning and service coordination efforts, explore federal, state and/or local policies related to addressing homelessness, assess strategies being deployed in a particular community or set of communities to prevent or reduce homelessness, or focus on particular subgroups of people experiencing homelessness and any unique housing or service needs that might be relevant for these subgroups.

Below are four potential areas of exploration for applicants to consider either because these topics flow from new federal resources recently made available to communities to address priority issues or because they are research questions included in HUD’s Learning Agenda for Fiscal Years 2022-2026[5]. HUD’s Learning Agenda is developed in consultation with stakeholders and is intended to guide HUD’s research activities. The inclusion of these topics is not intended to discourage applicants from studying other issues and approaches to reducing and preventing homelessness in the United States[6].

1. Research on unsheltered homelessness, including encampment resolution strategies.

Unsheltered homelessness has been increasing nationwide and homeless encampments have become more commonplace, particularly in urban areas. In response to this increased need, in February 2023, HUD awarded $315 million to 46 communities across 30 states to address unsheltered and rural homelessness. Cities and localities across the country are increasing and expanding efforts to design and coordinate local strategies to address unsheltered homelessness, and later this year, the White House and the U.S.

Interagency Council on Homelessness will begin work with a cohort of cities and states to offer additional support to accelerate their efforts to end homelessness[7]. These new funding sources and coordination efforts are designed to encourage coordinated planning among a variety of partners that include healthcare, public housing agencies, other HUD-assisted housing providers, and people with lived experience. These new federal funds and resources offer an opportunity to evaluate a range of topics, including: how communities choose to program and allocate new funding; how community partners and people with lived experience are engaged in local planning processes; how new resources are deployed; which encampment resolution strategies are implemented and evaluated, including whether communities track the housing placement outcomes of former encampment residents; and any outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness or the broader community.

2. Addressing the needs of homeless persons who are survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking.

Survivors of domestic violence (DV), interpersonal violence (IPV) or gender-based violence (GBV) often require immediate assistance to avoid homelessness and to ensure personal safety when fleeing violence. Recognizing the unique needs of survivors, beginning in 2018, the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program NOFO included funding for Domestic Violence (DV) Bonus projects to establish projects that serve survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Building on these funds, in February 2023, HUD released new resources to advance housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). These resources include a new VAWA website, a Notice explaining HUD’s enforcement authority under VAWA, and up to $5 million in funding to provide VAWA training and technical assistance to HUD grantees and other stakeholders.[8] Research efforts could focus on assessing how these resources are being used by communities, the extent to which these programs are addressing the unique needs of survivors, or the barriers survivors face in accessing these resources.

3. The state of emergency shelter.

Although HUD assistance, such as Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) can be used to support emergency shelters, local governments fund the majority of emergency shelter beds in the United States. The size, structure, and rules governing emergency shelter programs vary widely from community to community, and even from provider to provider within the same community. Subtopics of interest related to emergency shelter include: research on efforts to identify and address barriers to accessing shelter; efforts to expand the supply of non-congregate shelter options through new development, acquisition or conversion of existing facilities; improvements to safety/quality/care and services received in shelter; the availability of rapid connections to permanent housing from shelter; and staffing issues in emergency shelter settings.

4. Impact of new housing and homelessness resources made available under the American Rescue Plan.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP, Public Law 117-2)[9] was signed into law on March 11, 2021 and included eight housing provisions, four of which sought to address or prevent homelessness during and related to the pandemic. These four housing provisions included funding for: Emergency rental assistance (Section 3201), Emergency Housing Voucher program (Section 3202), emergency assistance for rural housing (Section 3203), and expanded homelessness assistance and supportive services (Section 3205). In addition, HUD’s House America Initiative encouraged cities and counties https://www.hud.gov/vawa https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/FHEO/documents/FHEO-2023-01-%20FHEO%20VAWA%20Notice.pdf https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=345644 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=345644 around the country to commit funds received through the department of Treasury’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery program, HOME-ARP, and supplemental ESG program resources to strategically address homelessness. Little is known about the implementation or the community impact of these different emergency programs from the perspective of the households they were designed to serve. Research efforts could assess how effective these resources have been at preventing homelessness or supporting exits from homelessness and identify lessons for ongoing federal, state and local efforts to end homelessness.

Eligible Activities Eligible activities under this NOFO include all research, regulatory, and project management activities that contribute to meeting the NOFO objectives with high-quality level. Eligible activities include, but are not necessarily limited to the following:

All research activities required to complete the funded research, including the articulation of research questions through the development of a research design, data collection and analysis plans; outreach and communication efforts related to the execution of the research project, including incentive fees for study participants and honoraria for community practitioners and individuals with lived experience; data collection and analysis; development of written reports; and the communication of findings to stakeholders.

Engagement with subject matter experts on any aspect of the project as needed to bring expertise to enhance the research team’s knowledge in critical areas.

Training or capacity-building activities related to project implementation.

Meeting regulatory requirements for research such as the engagement of an Institutional

Review Board to review and approve data collection instruments and the development of Informed Consent materials for study participants.

Project management activities, including required project management tools (Opening Meeting, Management and Work Plan and Budget, Quality Control Plan, and Quarterly Progress Reports) and regular communication with HUD staff on all project deliverables, as required by HUD’s substantial involvement under the grant.

Travel, as required, to carry out the project as designed.

Dissemination of research findings to stakeholders.

Deliverables HUD cooperative agreements require certain deliverables as part of the project management system, including the following: (1) an opening meeting with HUD, (2) a Management and Work Plan providing a detailed outline of specific tasks, a project timeline, staffing and management responsibilities, and the allocation of resources, (3) a Quality Control Plan that documents all necessary measures taken by the awardee to assure that the quality of a final product will meet the requirements outlined in the Cooperative Agreement, and (4) Quarterly Progress Reports that document award expenditures and the progress of the overall project. Please note that the Management and Work Plan is the document that will govern HUD’s monitoring of all project activities.

Project deliverables will include the following documents, each of which must be approved by the Government Technical Representative assigned to the project: (1) a Research Design that will serve as a technical blueprint for all research activities that will be undertaken to address the research objectives, (2) a Data Collection and Analysis Plan that includes data collection instruments and/or protocols, informed consent materials, and an analysis plan for any data collected, (3) a draft and final report that documents the data collection efforts and the results of the data analyses, and (4) two final briefings on the study findings: one for HUD staff, and one for relevant providers and stakeholders to share the findings of the study.

The Governmental Technical Representative and other HUD staff will work closely with awardees to further define deliverables during the execution of the project.

Final work products must be well-written, and the final research report must be of publishable quality and will conform to HUD’s formatting requirements. HUD intends to publish the final research report on our website at www.huduser.gov.

[1] Community-engaged research may also be referred to in other fields and disciplines using terms such as community-based research, participatory action research, or community-based participatory research.

[2] https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/6802/2022-ahar-part-1-pit-estimates-of-homelessness-in-the-us/

[3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773065422000414

[4] https://www.usich.gov/All_In.pdf

[5] https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/HUD-Learning-Agenda.pdf

[6] For an overview of HUD research to date on homelessness, please visit www.huduser.gov

[7] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/12/19/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-plan-to-prevent-and-end-homelessness/

[8] https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_23_026

[9] https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1319/text

2. HUD and Program-Specific Goals and Objectives

This NOFO supports HUD’s Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years (FY) 2022-2026 to accomplish HUD’s mission and vision. Each of the five goals in the Strategic Plan include what HUD hopes to accomplish, the strategies to accomplish those objectives, and the indicators of success.

However, of the five goals only those applicable to this NOFO are identified below.

You are expected to align your application to the applicable strategic goals and objectives below.

Use the information in this section to describe in your application the specific goals, objectives, and measures that your project is expected to help accomplish. If your project is selected for funding, you are also expected to establish a plan to track progress related to those goals, objectives, and measures. HUD will monitor compliance with the goals, objectives, and measures in your project.

Applicable Goals and Objectives from HUD’s Strategic Plan http://www.huduser.gov https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/6802/2022-ahar-part-1-pit-estimates-of-homelessness-in-the-us/ https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/6802/2022-ahar-part-1-pit-estimates-of-homelessness-in-the-us/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773065422000414 https://www.usich.gov/All_In.pdf https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/HUD-Learning-Agenda.pdf http://www.huduser.gov https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/12/19/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-plan-to-prevent-and-end-homelessness/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/12/19/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-plan-to-prevent-and-end-homelessness/ https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_23_026 https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1319/text https://www.hud.gov/HUD-FY22-26-Strategic-Plan-Focus-Areas https://www.hud.gov/HUD-FY22-26-Strategic-Plan-Focus-Areas

1. Strategic Goal 1: Support Underserved Communities Fortify support for underserved communities and support equitable community development for all people.

2. 1B: Reduce Homelessness Strengthen Federal, State, Tribal, and community implementation of the Housing First approach to reducing the prevalence of homelessness, with the ultimate goal of ending homelessness.

Under the overarching goal of HUD’s FY 2022-2026 Strategic Framework to pursue transformative housing and community-building policy and programs, the strategic plan reads:

“ensure HUD centers its focus on people, and their lived experiences, with policy and programs that are equity-focused, anti-discriminatory, and that advance housing justice, so that everyone has an affordable, healthy place to live.” This research NOFO provides funding to support research on homelessness that applies community-engaged research methods that elevate the perspectives and insights of people with lived experience. While the primary goal of the research is to inform HUD’s strategic goal to reduce homelessness, the mechanism through which this objective will be met must center the experience of individuals with lived experience.

3. Changes from Previous NOFO

This is a new NOFO.

4. Definitions

a. Standard Definitions

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 unique number assigned to each Federal assistance program publicly available in the Assistance Listing, which is managed and administered by the General Services Administration. The Assistance Listing number was formerly known as the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number.

Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) is a person authorized to legally bind your organization and submit applications via Grants.gov. The AOR is authorized by the E-Business Point of Contact (E-Biz POC) in the System for Award Management (see E-Biz POC definition).

An AOR may include an Expanded AOR and/or a Standard AOR.

Expanded Authorized Organization Representative is a user in Grants.gov who is authorized by the E-Biz POC to perform the functions of a Standard AOR, initiate and submit applications on behalf of your organization, and is allowed to modify organization-level settings and certifications in Grants.gov.

Standard Authorized Organization Representative is a user in Grants.gov who is authorized by the E-Biz POC to initiate and submit applications in Grants.gov. A Grants.gov user with the Standard AOR role can only submit applications when they are a Participant for that workspace.

Consolidated Plan is the document submitted to HUD that serves as the comprehensive housing affordability strategy, community development plan, and submission for funding under any of the Community Planning and Development formula grant programs (e.g., CDBG, ESG, HOME, and HOPWA). This Plan is prepared in accordance with the process described in 24 CFR part 91.

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.

Cooperative agreement has the same meaning defined at 2 CFR 200.1.

Deficiency, with respect to the making of an application for funding, is information missing or omitted within a submitted application. Examples of deficiencies include missing documents, missing or incomplete information on a form, or some other type of unsatisfied information requirement. Depending on specific criteria, a deficiency may be either Curable or Non-Curable.

A Curable Deficiency is missing or incomplete application information that 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.

A Non-Curable Deficiency is missing or incomplete application information that cannot be corrected by an applicant after the submission deadline. A non-curable deficiency is a deficiency that is a threshold requirement, or a deficiency that, if corrected, would change an applicant’s score or rank versus other applicants. If an application includes a non-curable deficiency, the application may receive an ineligible determination, or the non-curable deficiency may otherwise adversely affect the application’s score and final funding determination.

E-Business Point of Contact (E-Biz POC) is 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 Authorized Organization Representative definition). There can only be one E-Biz POC per unique entity identifier (see definition of Unique Entity Identifier below).

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-24/subtitle-A/part-91 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

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

Environmental Justice means investing in environmental improvements, remedying past environmental inequities, and otherwise developing, implementing, and enforcing laws and policies in a manner that advances environmental equity and provides meaningful involvement for people and communities that have been environmentally underserved or overburdened, such as Black and Brown communities, indigenous groups, and individuals with disabilities. This definition does not alter the requirements under HUD’s regulations at 24 CFR 58.5(j) and 24 CFR 50.4(l) implementing Executive Order 12898. E.O. 12898 requires a consideration of how federally assisted projects may have disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority and/or low-income populations. For additional information on environmental review compliance, refer to:

https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/environment_energy/regulations.

Equity has the meaning given to that term in Section 2(a) of Executive Order 13985 and means the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.

Federal Award, has the meaning, depending on the context, in either paragraphs (1) or (2) of this definition:

(1)

(a) 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

(b) 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.

Federal Financial Assistance has the same meaning defined at 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 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-24/subtitle-A/part-58/subpart-A/section-58.5 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-24/subtitle-A/part-50/subpart-A/section-50.4 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-24/subtitle-A/part-50/subpart-A/section-50.4 https://www.archives.gov/files/federal-register/executive-orders/pdf/12898.pdf https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/environment_energy/regulations https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government https://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 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200

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

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are 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. A list of accredited HBCUs can be found at the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) are

(1) a part B institution (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1601);

(2) a Hispanic-serving institution (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1101a(5));

(3) a Tribal College or University (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1059c);

(4) an Alaska Native-serving institution or a Native Hawaiian-serving institution (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1059d(b));

(5) a Predominantly Black Institution (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1059e);

(6) an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1059g); or

(7) a Native American-serving nontribal institution (as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1059f).

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.

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

Racial Equity is the elimination of racial disparities, and is achieved when race can no longer predict opportunities, distribution of resources, or outcomes – particularly for Black and Brown persons, which includes Black, Latino, indigenous, Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, and other persons of color.

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.

Resilience is a community’s ability to minimize damage and recover quickly from extreme events and changing conditions.

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

https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2020-title20/pdf/USCODE-2020-title20-chap28-subchapIII-partB-sec1061.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2020-title20/pdf/USCODE-2020-title20-chap28-subchapV-partA-sec1101a.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2015-title20/pdf/USCODE-2015-title20-chap28-subchapIII-partA-sec1059c.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2015-title20/pdf/USCODE-2015-title20-chap28-subchapIII-partA-sec1059d.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2020-title20/pdf/USCODE-2020-title20-chap28-subchapIII-partA-sec1059e.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2020-title20/pdf/USCODE-2020-title20-chap28-subchapIII-partA-sec1059g.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2020-title20/pdf/USCODE-2020-title20-chap28-subchapIII-partA-sec1059g.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2020-title20/pdf/USCODE-2020-title20-chap28-subchapIII-partA-sec1059f.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-121?toc=1

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 eligibility requirements that must be met for an application to be reviewed, rated, and ranked. Threshold requirements are not curable, except for documentation of applicant eligibility, which are listed in Section III.D., Threshold Eligibility Requirements.

Similarly, there are eligibility requirements under Section III.E., Statutory and Regulatory Requirements Affecting Eligibility.

Underserved Communities has the meaning given to that term in Section 2(b) of Executive Order 13985 and refers to populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, as exemplified by the list in the definition of “equity” above.

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) means the identifier assigned by SAM to uniquely identify business entities. As of April 4, 2022, the Federal government has transitioned from the use of the DUNS Number to the use of UEI, as the primary means of entity identification for Federal awards government-wide.

b. Program Definitions.

None.

B. Authority

This program is authorized by Sections 501 and 502 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 (12 U.S.C. §1701z-1 and §1701z-2) and funding is provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Public Law 117-103, approved March 15, 2022).

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funds

Funding of approximately $1,000,000 is available through this NOFO.

Additional funds may become available for award under this NOFO consistent with Section VI.A.2.e., Adjustments to Funding. Use of these funds is subject to statutory constraints. All awards are subject to the funding restrictions contained in this NOFO.

https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government

B. Number of Awards

HUD expects to make approximately 3 awards from the funds available under this NOFO.

C. Minimum/Maximum Award Information

Estimated Total Funding:

$1,000,000 Minimum Award Amount:

$200,000 Per Project Period

Maximum Award Amount:

$1,000,000 Per Project Period

D. Period of Performance

Estimated Project Start Date:

10/02/2023 Estimated Project End Date:

10/02/2026 Length of Project Periods:

36-month project period and budget period

Length of Periods Explanation of Other:

N/A

E. Type of Funding Instrument

Funding Instrument Type:

CA (Cooperative Agreement)

III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants

06 (Public and State controlled institutions of higher education)

12 (Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education)

20 (Private institutions of higher education)

Hispanic-serving Institution

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)

Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions

Additional Information on Eligibility Faith-based organizations

(1) Faith-based organizations may apply for this award on the same basis as any other organization, as set forth at 24 CFR 5.109, and subject to the protections and requirements of 42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq., HUD will not, in the selection of recipients, discriminate against an organization based on the organization's religious character, affiliation, or exercise.

(2) A faith-based organization that participates in this program will retain its independence and may continue to carry out its mission consistent with religious freedom and conscience protections in Federal law, including the Free Speech and Free Exercise Clauses of the Constitution, 42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq., 42 U.S.C. 238n, 42 U.S.C. 18113, 42 U.S.C. 2000e-1(a) and 2000e-2(e), 42 U.S.C. 12113(d), and the Weldon Amendment, among others. Religious accommodations may also be sought under many of these religious freedom and conscience protection laws, particularly under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

(3) A faith-based organization may not use direct financial assistance from HUD to support or engage in any explicitly religious activities except where consistent with the Establishment Clause and any other applicable requirements. Such an organization also may not, in providing services funded by HUD, discriminate against a beneficiary or prospective program beneficiary on the basis of religion, religious belief, a refusal to hold a religious belief, or a refusal to attend or participate in a religious practice.

B. Ineligible Applicants

Individuals, foreign entities, and sole proprietorship organizations are not eligible to compete for, or receive, awards made under this announcement.

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 are deemed ineligible. Applications from ineligible applicants are not rated or ranked and will not receive HUD funding.

1. Resolution of Civil Rights Matters

Outstanding civil rights matters must be resolved before the application submission deadline.

Applicants with unresolved civil rights matters at the application deadline are deemed ineligible.

Applications from ineligible applicants are not rated or ranked and will not receive HUD funding.

a. An applicant is ineligible for funding if the applicant has any of the charges, cause determinations, lawsuits, or letters of findings referenced in subparagraphs (1) – (5) that are not resolved to HUD’s satisfaction before or on the application deadline date for this NOFO.

(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 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-24/subtitle-A/part-5#p-5.109 agency concerning a systemic violation of a substantially equivalent state or local fair housing law proscribing discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), 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, Violence Against Women 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; Violence Against Women Act; 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. Timely Submission of Applications

Applications submitted after the deadline stated within this NOFO that do not meet the requirements of the grace period policy are marked late. Late applications are ineligible and are not considered for funding. See Section IV. D. Application Submission Dates and Times.

3. Completeness of Application.

Applications must be complete, including all required forms, assurances, certifications, narratives, and non-form attachments. Incomplete applications are ineligible and will not be considered for funding. See Section IV.B. Content and Form of Application Submission.

E. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements Affecting Eligibility

Eligibility Requirements for Applicants of HUD’s Financial Assistance Programs The following requirements affect applicant eligibility. Detailed information on each requirement is found in the “Eligibility Requirements for Applicants of HUD’s Financial Assistance Programs” document on HUD’s Funding Opportunities page.

Universal Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Requirements Outstanding Delinquent Federal Debts Debarments or Suspensions, or both Mandatory Disclosure Requirement Pre-selection Review of Performance Sufficiency of Financial Management System False Statements 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 CFR170.110.

F. Program-Specific Requirements

Advancing Racial Equity In accordance with Executive Order 13985, Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, and federal fair housing and civil rights laws, you must submit a narrative demonstrating the following:

You analyzed the racial composition of the persons or households who are expected to benefit from your proposed grant activities;

You identified any potential barriers to persons or communities of color equitably benefiting from your proposed grant activities;

You detailed the steps you will take to prevent, reduce or eliminate these barriers; and You have measures in place to track your progress and evaluate the effectiveness of your efforts to advance racial equity in your grant activities.

Note that any actions taken in furtherance of this section must be consistent with federal nondiscrimination requirements.

This narrative is required and all applicants must address the four bullets outlined in the paragraph above. Applicants will submit this narrative in Attachment A in accordance with instructions in Section IV.B (Content Form & Submission).

G. Criteria for Beneficiaries.

None.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Obtain an Application Package https://www.hud.gov/grants https://www.hud.gov/grants 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.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government

Instructions for Applicants All application materials, including the Application Instructions and Application Package, are available through Grants.gov. You must access and review all available application materials.

You must submit your application electronically via Grants.gov under the Funding Opportunity Number cited within this NOFO. Your application must list the applicable Funding Opportunity Number.

You can request a waiver from the requirement for electronic submission, if you demonstrate good…