Foa_Content_of_FR-6700-N-39.pdf

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Community Planning and Development

Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program

FR-6700-N-39

08/31/2023

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:

Community Planning and Development Funding Opportunity Title:

Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program Funding Opportunity Number:

FR-6700-N-39

Assistance Listing Number (formerly CFDA Number):

14.278 Due Date for Applications:

08/31/2023

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):

2506-0213

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Program Description

1. Purpose

The purpose of the Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program (VHRMP) is to explore the potential benefits of awarding grants to nonprofit organizations to rehabilitate 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 and modify the primary residence of veterans who are low-income and have disabilities. The funds made available under this program will be awarded competitively.

A number of America’s veterans who are low-income and have disabilities are in need of adaptive housing to help them regain or maintain their independence, are unable to fund significant home repairs, or are burdened by utility costs. In partnership with the U.S.

Department of Veterans Affairs, HUD designed the VHRMP to test a new approach to address these challenges in accordance with section 1079 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291, §1079, enacted December 19, 2014, as amended by Public Law 114-92, §1081(b)(4), November 25, 2015). The VHRMP provides competitive grants of up to $1 million each to nonprofit organizations that provide nationwide or statewide programs that primarily serve veterans and/or low-income individuals. The grants may be used to modify or rehabilitate eligible veterans’ primary residences or to provide grantees’ affiliates with technical, administrative, and training support in connection with those services. The performance goals and required output and outcome measures for these grants are discussed in section VI.C.6 of this NOFO.

In the FY 2023 competition of VHRMP grants, HUD will award up to $6,445,980 with $1 million in funding provided under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117- 328, approved December 29, 2022) as well as $4 million in funding provided under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Public Law 117-103, approved March 15, 2022), and $1,445,980 remaining VHRMP funding provided under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115-141, approved March 23, 2018).

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

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

2. 1A: Advance Housing Justice Fortify support for vulnerable populations, underserved communities, and Fair Housing enforcement.

3. 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.

4. 1C: Invest in the Success of Communities https://www.hud.gov/HUD-FY22-26-Strategic-Plan-Focus-Areas https://www.hud.gov/HUD-FY22-26-Strategic-Plan-Focus-Areas

Promote equitable community development that generates wealth-building for underserved communities, particularly for communities of color.

5. Strategic Goal 2: Ensure Access to and Increase the Production of Affordable Housing Ensure housing demand is matched by adequate production of new homes and equitable access to housing opportunities for all people.

6. 2A: Increase the Supply of Housing Enhance HUD's programs that increase the production and supply of housing across the country.

7. 2B: Improve Rental Assistance Improve rental assistance to address the need for affordable housing.

8. Strategic Goal 3: Promote Homeownership Promote homeownership opportunities, equitable access to credit for purchase and improvements, and wealth-building in underserved communities.

9. 3A: Advance Sustainable Homeownership Advance the deployment of tools and capital that put sustainable homeownership within reach.

10. 3A � Major Initiative: Expand Homeownership Opportunities Promote financing for innovative ownership models to increase the availability of affordable housing.

11. 3B: Create a More Accessible and Inclusive Housing Finance System Advance new policy, programs, and modernization initiatives that support a more equitable housing finance system. Promote the preservation and creation of affordable housing stock.

12. Strategic Goal 4: Advance Sustainable Communities Advance sustainable communities by strengthening climate resilience and energy efficiency, promoting environmental justice, and recognizing housing's role as essential to health.

13. 4A: Guide Investment in Climate Resilience Invest in climate resilience, energy efficiency, and renewable energy across HUD programs.

14. 4B: Strengthen Environmental Justice Reduce exposure to health risks, environmental hazards, and substandard housing, especially for low-income households and communities of color.

15. 4C: Integrate Health and Housing Advance policies that recognize housing's role as essential to health.

3. Changes from Previous NOFO

Applicants are required to submit narratives responding to Affirmative Marketing and Advancing Racial Equity per the instructions in Section IV.B. of this NOFO.

Points for Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, Experience Promoting Racial Equity, Climate Mitigation, and Environmental Justice have been included in Rating Factor 3, Soundness of Approach, to reflect the Administration’s policy priorities. Instructions can be found in Section V.A. of this 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.

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 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200

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).

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) 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

(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 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).

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 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://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

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.

Promise Zones (PZs) are high poverty areas in select urban, rural and tribal communities designated from 2014-2016 where the federal government partners with local leaders to increase economic activity, improve educational opportunities, leverage private investment, reduce violent crime, enhance public health and address other priorities identified by the community.

See Promise Zones.

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.

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.

https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/field_policy_mgt/fieldpolicymgtpz https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-121?toc=1 https://www.sam.gov/SAM/

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.

(1) Affiliate - (1) a local public or private nonprofit housing organization which is a subordinate organization (i.e., chapter, local, post, or unit) of a central organization and covered by the group exemption letter issued to the central organization under Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a local public or private nonprofit housing organization with which the applicant has an existing relationship (e.g., the applicant has provided technical assistance or funding to the local housing organization); or (3) a local public or private nonprofit housing organization with which the applicant does not have an existing relationship, but to which the applicant will provide necessary technical assistance and mentoring as part of funding under the application.

(2) Eligible veteran - The term "eligible veteran" means a veteran as defined by 38 U.S.C. 101 who is low-income and has a disability as defined under Section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12102).

(3) Letter of Firm Commitment - A letter of firm commitment from an applicant’s partner organization by which the partner (a) agrees to perform an activity specified in the application,

(b) demonstrates the financial capacity to deliver the resources necessary to carry out the activity, and (c) commits the resources to the activity, either in cash or through in-kind contributions. It is irrevocable, subject only to approval and receipt of an FY 2022 VHRMP grant. Each letter of commitment must include the partner organization's name and applicant's name, reference VHRMP, and describe the proposed total level of commitment and responsibilities, expressed in dollar value for cash or in-kind contributions, as they relate to the proposed program. The commitment must be written on the official letterhead of the participating organization, must be signed by an official of the organization legally able to make commitments on behalf of the organization, and must be dated no earlier than the date of publication of this NOFO. In documenting a firm commitment, the applicant's partner must:

1. Specify the authority by which the commitment is made, the amount of the commitment, the proposed use of funds, and the relationship of the commitment to the proposed investment. If the committed activity is to be self-financed, the applicant's partner must demonstrate its financial capability through a corporate or personal financial statement or other appropriate means; and

2. Affirm that the firm commitment is contingent only upon the receipt of VHRMP funds and state a willingness on the part of the signatory to sign a legally binding agreement https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government

(conditioned upon HUD's environmental review and approval of a property, where applicable) upon award of the grant.

(4) Low-Income - The term “low-income" means not having income that is more than 80 percent of the median income for an area, as determined by the Secretary.

(5) Matching Contributions - “Matching contributions” means contributions that meet the matching requirements in 2 CFR 200.306, which may include in-kind contributions but do not include leveraged resources, as described in section V.A.1 of this NOFO.

(6) Nonprofit Organization - an organization that is:

1. Described in section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and

2. Exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code.

(7) Primary Residence - a single-family house, a duplex, or a unit within a multiple-dwelling structure that is the principal dwelling of an eligible veteran and is owned by:

1. The eligible veteran;

2. The eligible veteran’s spouse, child, grandchild, parent, or sibling;

3. A spouse of the eligible veteran’s child, grandchild, parent, or sibling; or

4. Any individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with the eligible veteran is the equivalent of a family relationship.

(8) Secretary - The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

(9) Section 3 Business Concern - means a “Section 3 Business Concern” as defined by 24 CFR 75.5.

(10) Section 3 Project - means a "Section 3 Project" as defined by 24 CFR 75.5.

(11) Section 3 Worker - means a “Section 3 Worker” as defined by 24 CFR 75.5.

(13) Underserved Communities - 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 preceding definition of “equity.”

(12) Veteran - a person who is a “veteran” as defined by 38 U.S.C. 101.

(13) Veterans Service Organization - any organization recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of veterans under 38 U.S.C. 5902. Recognized VSOs include those organizations that are “federally chartered and/or recognized or approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for purposes of preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.” For the directory of Veterans Service Organizations, visit https://www.va.gov/vso/.

B. Authority

This NOFO is authorized by section 1079 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291, §1079, https://www.va.gov/vso/

December 19, 2014, as amended by Public Law 114-92, §1081, November 25, 2015; 38 U.S.C.

2101 note) and is funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328, approved December 29, 2022), the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Public Law 117-103, approved March 15, 2022), and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115- 141, approved March 23, 2018).

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funds

Funding of approximately $6,445,980 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.

B. Number of Awards

HUD expects to make approximately 6 awards from the funds available under this NOFO.

C. Minimum/Maximum Award Information

Estimated Total Funding:

$6,445,980 Minimum Award Amount:

$700,000 Per Budget Period

Maximum Award Amount:

$1,000,000 Per Budget Period

D. Period of Performance

Estimated Project Start Date:

02/05/2024 Estimated Project End Date:

02/08/2027 Length of Project Periods:

36-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 To be eligible for a VHRMP grant, each applicant must meet both of the following criteria: (1) The organization must be described in section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19)) and be exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code (26 U.S.C. 501(a)); and (2) The organization must provide nationwide or statewide programs that primarily serve veterans or low-income individuals.

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, sole proprietorship organizations, and other entities that do not meet the criteria in Section III.A of this NOFO are not eligible to compete for, or receive, awards made under this announcement.

C. Cost Sharing or Matching

This Program requires cost sharing or matching as described below.

Recipients will be required to provide matching contributions as provided under section 1079(b)(6) of the Carl Levin and Howard P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015. Specifically, each recipient must contribute towards the housing modification and rehabilitation services provided to eligible veterans an amount equal to not less than 50 percent of the grant award received. Recipients may meet this requirement through in-kind contributions. All matching contributions (including matching funds and in-kind contributions) must meet the requirements of 2 CFR 200.306. Matching contributions being provided by the grant recipient must be evidenced with written documentation of the cash and/or in-kind contribution sources and amounts in the application. Each matching contribution that is https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-24/subtitle-A/part-5#p-5.109 to be made by an affiliate or other third party must be evidenced in the application by a Letter of Firm Commitment that meets the definition found in Section I.A.3.b (Program Definitions) of this NOFO.

Leveraged resources, as described in Section V.A.1 of this NOFO, will not count as matching contributions.

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 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. The application must receive a minimum rating score of 75 points to be considered for funding.

4. HUD will only fund eligible applicants as defined in this NOFO under Section III.A.

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

Each recipient under the VHRMP shall modify or rehabilitate the primary residence of an eligible veteran at no cost to such veteran (including application fees) or at a cost such that the 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 eligible veteran pays no more than 30 percent of his or her income in housing costs during any month. “Housing costs” means the total of any mortgage loan principal and interest, real estate taxes, and insurance for the residence, plus any loan principal and interest or other costs the eligible veteran must pay for the modification and rehabilitation.

For purposes of calculating income under VHRMP, the recipient must adopt and use one of the following standards: (1) Calculate income as provided by 24 CFR 5.609, including the new safe harbor provided by 5.609(c)(3); (2) Calculate income as provided for determining “adjusted gross income” for reporting under the IRS Form 1040 series for individual Federal annual income tax purposes.

Grant awards under this NOFO will be subject to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 CFR Part 200, as may be amended from time to time.

Only housing that is the primary residence of an eligible veteran may be modified or rehabilitated under this program, and the eligible veteran or his or her family member must certify in writing that the veteran intends the housing to continue to be his or her primary residence for at least five years after the modification or rehabilitation is completed.

Each recipient must establish housing standards which require that all dwelling units rehabilitated and/or modified under the VHRMP program meet all applicable State or local building codes, ordinances, and requirements or, in the absence of a State or local building code, the International Existing Building Code of the International Code Council.

Awardees must ensure that all programs and activities undertaken as eligible activities comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Fair Housing Act, and their implementing regulations at 24 CFR parts 8 and 100, respectively. The home modifications shall be made accessible upon request of the beneficiary. If the accessibility features selected are covered by HUD's Section 504 accessibility standards, those features shall comply with the applicable Section 504 standards, although departures are permitted in order to accommodate a beneficiary's specific disability. HUD's Section 504 accessibility standards are the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS), and HUD's Deeming Notice available at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-05-23/pdf/2014-11844.pdf.

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.

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-05-23/pdf/2014-11844.pdf https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government

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

Narrative for how an applicant will advance racial equity is required and must address the four elements outlined above. Applicants should submit this narrative according to the instructions in Section IV.B. This narrative will be evaluated for sufficiency and will not change the applicant’s score or rank as compared with other applicants. If the narrative is deemed insufficient, it will be a “Curable Deficiency” that will be communicated to the applicant for correction with a notice of deficiency.

Affirmative Marketing You must submit a narrative demonstrating that the housing, services, or other benefits provided under this grant will be affirmatively marketed broadly throughout the local area and nearby areas to any demographic groups that would be unlikely or least likely to apply absent such efforts. Such demographic groups may include, for example, Black and Brown persons or communities, individuals with limited English proficiency, individuals with disabilities, or families with children. Such activities may include outreach through community contacts or service providers or at community centers serving the target population; and marketing on websites, social media channels, television, radio, and print media serving local members of the targeted group. Documentation for this factor consists of a narrative describing the activities that will fulfill the factor requirements.

Narrative for how an applicant will affirmatively market housing, services, or other benefits is required. Applicants should submit this narrative according to the instructions in Section IV.B.

This narrative will be evaluated for sufficiency and will not change the applicant’s score or rank as compared with other applicants. If the narrative is deemed insufficient, it will be a “Curable Deficiency” that will be communicated to the applicant for correction with a notice of deficiency.

G. Criteria for Beneficiaries.

This program serves veterans who are low-income and have disabilities as defined by 42 U.S.C.

12102. A veteran is defined at 38 U.S.C. 101. For the purposes of the VHRMP, low-income veterans are veterans whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the area median income, as determined by the Secretary. The veteran must intend to continue making the unit their primary residence for at least five years after the modification or rehabilitation is completed.

IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Obtain an Application Package

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 cause. An example of good cause may include: a lack of available Internet access in the geographic area in which your business offices are located. However, lack of SAM registration or valid UEI is not a good cause. If you cannot submit your application electronically, you must ask in writing for a waiver of the electronic grant submission requirements. HUD will not grant a waiver if you fail to submit to HUD in writing or via email a request for a waiver at least 15 calendar days before the application deadline. If HUD grants a waiver, a paper application must be received before the deadline for this NOFO. To request a waiver, you must contact:

Name:

Jackie L. Williams Email:

RHED@hud.gov HUD Organization:

ORHED

Street:

451 7th Street SW City:

Washington State:

DC DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Zip:

20410 Paper Applications: A paper application will not be accepted from an applicant that has not been granted a waiver of the electronic application submission requirement. If HUD has granted you a waiver, your paper application must be received by HUD on or before the application deadline date.

Facsimiles and Videos: HUD will not accept an application, third-party documents or other materials sent by facsimile (fax). Videos cannot be submitted via the Grants.gov system and will not be accepted as a separate submission. Any video submitted as part of an application will not be reviewed.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

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