FR-5800-N-15 Rural Capacity NOFA Signed.pdf

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Community Planning and Development

Rural Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Grants

FR-5800-N-15

Signature Date h14346 Stamp

Rural Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Grants

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview

Funding Opportunity Description.I.

Award Information.II.

Eligibility Information.

A. Eligible Applicants.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching.

C. Other - (if applicable).

III.

Application and Submission Information.

A. Obtaining an Application Package.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission.

C. Application Submission Dates and Times.

D. Intergovernmental Review.

E. Funding Restrictions.

F. Other Submission Requirements.

IV.

Application Review Information.

A. Review Criteria.

B. Review and Selection Process.

C. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates.

V.

Award Administration Information.

A. Award Notices.

B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements.

C. Reporting.

VI.

Agency Contact(s).VII.

Other Information.VIII.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Community Planning and Development Rural Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Grants Initial

14.265

Funding through the Department of Housing and Urban Development's programs such as the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) create affordable housing and support economic development in communities across the Nation.

However, the success of these efforts relies in large part on the capacity of local governments, Indian tribes, housing development organizations, rural community development corporations (CDCs), and rural community housing development organizations (CHDOs) to develop and implement effective housing and community development plans. Rural communities have unique challenges in meeting these needs. The funding appropriated for this program is intended to help these communities, including housing development organizations, local governments, and Indian tribes, develop the skills and technical capabilities necessary to undertake effective community development activities.

Through the Rural Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing program, it is the Department’s intent to fund a mix of applicants with demonstrated skills to carry out the eligible activities related to affordable housing and community development. To ensure that there are a sufficient number of grantees funded, HUD reserves the right to fund less than the amount requested by any applicant relative to the total amount of available funds and/or to fund less than the full amount requested by any applicant to ensure a fair distribution of the funds for the provision of capacity building assistance on a national, geographically diverse basis as required by the statute.

Additional Overview Information:

1. Incorporation of the General Section. HUD publishes a General Section each fiscal year that contains mandatory requirements for all applicants to HUD’s competitive grant programs including this NOFA.

Applicants must meet all of the requirements of the General Section in addition to the requirements of this NOFA to be considered and to receive funding. The full title of the General Section is General Section for Fiscal Year 2014 Discretionary Programs. It can be found on Grants.gov and on HUD's Funds Available webpage at http://portal.hud.gov /hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices /administration/grants /fundsavail.

2. OMB Approval Number(s): 2506-0195

I. Funding Opportunity Description.

A. Program Description and Requirements.

Program Office:

Funding Opportunity Title:

Announcement Type:

Funding Opportunity Number:

Primary CFDA Number:

Due Date for Applications:

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/grants/fundsavail h14346 Text Box September 19, 2014

Through funding of national organizations with expertise in rural housing and community development, the Rural Capacity Building program enhances the capacity and ability of local governments, Indian tribes, housing development organizations, rural CDCs, and CHDOs to carry out community development and affordable housing activities that benefit low- and moderate-income families and persons in rural areas.

Definitions. For purposes of this grant opportunity, the following definitions will apply:

1. Family: Family refers to the definition of “family” in 24 CFR 5.403. Family includes, but is not limited to, the following, regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status:

(a) A single person, who may be an elderly person, displaced person, disabled person, near-elderly person, or any other single person; or

(b) A group of persons residing together, and such group includes, but is not limited to:

(i) A family with or without children (a child who is temporarily away from the home because of placement in foster care is considered a member of the family);

(ii) An elderly family;

(iii) A near-elderly family;

(iv) A disabled family;

(v) A displaced family; and

(vi) The remaining member of a tenant family.

2. Household: Household means all the persons occupying a housing unit. The occupants may be a family as defined in 24 CFR 5.403; two or more families living together, or any other group of related or unrelated persons who share living arrangements, regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identify, or marital status.

3. Low- and moderate-income household: Low- and moderate-income household means a household having an income equal to or less than the Section 8 low-income limit established by HUD, which means a household whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the AMI.

4. Low- and moderate-income person: Low- and moderate-income person means a member of a family having an income equal to or less than the Section 8 low-income limit established by HUD, which means an individual whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the AMI. Unrelated individuals will be considered as one-person families for this purpose.

5. Low-income household: Low-income household means a household having an income equal to or less than the Section 8 very low-income limit established by HUD, which means a household whose income does not exceed 50 percent of the AMI.

6. Low-income person: Low-income person means a member of a family that has an income equal to or less than the Section 8 very low-income limit established by HUD, which means an individual whose income does not exceed 50 percent of the AMI. Unrelated individuals shall be considered as one-person families for this purpose.

7. Rural Area: A rural area is a statistical geographic entity delineated by the Census Bureau that does not meet the definition of an urbanized area contained in the Office of Management and Budget’s 2010 Standards for Delineating Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas, 75 FR 37252 (June 28, 2010) http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2010-06-28/pdf/2010-15605.pdf.

8. Community Development Corporation (CDC).

(a) A CDC is a nonprofit organization that undertakes eligible Section 4 Capacity Building Program activities as defined in this NOFA. The CDC must be:

(1) Organized under Federal, State or local law to engage in community development activities (which may include housing and economic development activities) primarily within an identified geographic area of operation;

(2) Governed by a board of directors composed of community residents, business and civic leaders http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2010-06-28/pdf/2010-15605.pdf leaders

(3) Have as its primary purpose the improvement of the physical, economic or social environment of its geographic area of operation by addressing one or more critical problems of the area, with particular attention to the needs of persons of low income;

(4) Be neither controlled by, nor under the direction of, individuals or entities seeking to derive profit or gain from the organization;

(5) Have a tax exemption ruling from the Internal Revenue Service under section 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 CFR 1.501(c)(3)-1);

(6) Have standards of financial accountability that conform to 24 CFR 84.21, “Standards of Financial Management Systems”;

(7) Not be an agency or instrumentality of a State or local government;

(8) For urban areas, “community” may be a neighborhood or neighborhoods, town, village, county, or multi-county area (but not the entire State or territory).

(b) An organization that does not qualify under paragraph (1) through (8) may also be determined to qualify as an eligible entity if:

(1) It is a Small Business Administration (SBA) approved Section 501 State Development Company, or an SBA Certified Section 503 Company under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended; or

(2) The recipient demonstrates to the satisfaction of HUD, through the provision of information regarding the organization’s charter and by-laws, that the organization is sufficiently similar in purpose, function, and scope to those entities qualifying under paragraphs (1) through (8) of this definition, or

(3) It is a State or locally chartered organization; however, the State or local government may not have the right to appoint more than one-third of the membership of the organization’s governing body and no more than one-third of the board members may be public officials or employees of the State or local government entity chartering the organization. Board members appointed by the State or local government may not appoint the remaining two-thirds of the board members.

9. Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO). A CHDO is defined in the HOME Investment Partnerships Program regulation (HOME Program) at 24 CFR 92.2. The HOME Program is authorized by the HOME Investment Partnerships Act at title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 12701 et seq.

B. Authority.

The funding made available by this NOFA is authorized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2014.

II. Award Information.

A. Available Funds.

HUD is making available through this NOFA $5,000,000 for Rural Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Grants.

Additional funds may become available for award under this NOFA as a result of HUD's efforts to recapture unused funds, use carryover funds, or because of the availability of additional appropriated funds. Use of these funds will be subject to statutory constraints. All awards are subject to the applicable funding restrictions described in the General Section and to those contained in this NOFA.

B. Number of Awards.

HUD expects to make approximately 4 awards from the funds available under this NOFA.

C. Maximum Award Information.

Estimated Total Funding: $5,000,000 Minimum Award Amount: $500,000 Per Project Period Maximum Award Amount: $2,500,000 Per Project Period D. Period of Performance.

Awards will be for a period of 48 months from the date of execution of the grant agreement.

Estimated Project Start Date: 09/01/2014 Estimated Project End Date: 08/31/2018 48-month project with four 12-month budget periods

Additional Information on Project Periods

E. Type of Funding Instrument.

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

HUD will enter into a grant agreement with selected applicants for the period of performance.

F. Supplementation.

Not Applicable.

III. Eligibility Information.

A. Eligible Applicants.

Eligible applicants under this NOFA include:

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

Additional Information on Eligibility:

A national organization is defined as a non-profit entity that has on-going experience in rural housing, including experience working with rural housing organizations, local governments, and Indian tribes, as evidenced by past and continuing work in one or more states in five or more of the federal regions described on HUD's website at http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/localoffices/regions.

HUD does not award grants to individuals nor will HUD evaluate an application from an ineligible applicant. Additionally, if for-profit firms are eligible they are not allowed to earn a fee (i.e., make a profit from the project).

In accordance with 2 CFR 25.200, all applicants must have an active Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number (www.dnb.com) and have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) (www.sam.gov) before submitting an application. Getting your DUNS number and SAM registration can take up to four weeks; therefor, you should start this process or check your status early.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching.

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/localoffices/regions http://www.dnb.com/ http://www.sam.gov/

B. Cost Sharing or Matching.

Federal sources are generally not allowed to be used as cost share or match unless otherwise permitted by a program’s authorizing statute.

This Program requires an applicant to leverage resources through cost sharing or matching as described below.

There is no match requirement under the Rural Capacity Building program. Applicants who submit evidence of leveraging dollars under Rating Factor 4 will receive points according to the scale under that factor.

C. Other.

You must refer to Section III of the General Section for information on the following eligibility requirements. These requirements may, where applicable, determine whether your application is reviewed or make your application ineligible for funding:

Resolution of civil rights matters;

Compliance with nondiscrimination and other requirements, including but not limited to:

compliance with all applicable fair housing and civil rights laws;

affirmatively furthering fair housing;

Delinquent Federal debts;

Financial management systems that meet Federal standards;

Debarment and/or suspension from doing business with the Federal Government;

False statements;

Do Not Pay review and compliance with the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act of 2012;

Standards of ethical conduct/code of conduct;

Prohibition against lobbying activities; and Conflicts of interest.

1. Program Requirements

Eligible Activities and Priorities. Funds may be used to provide the following services:

a. Training, education, support, and advice to enhance the technical and administrative capabilities of CDCs and CHDOs, including the capacity to participate in consolidated planning, as well as, in fair housing planning and Continuum of Care homeless assistance efforts that help ensure community-wide participation in assessing area needs; consulting broadly within the community; cooperatively planning for the use of available resources in a comprehensive and holistic manner; and assisting in evaluating performance under these community efforts and in linking plans with neighboring communities in order to foster regional planning;

b. Loans, grants, development assistance, predevelopment assistance, or other financial assistance to CDCs and CHDOs to carry out community development and affordable housing activities that benefit low-income families and persons, including the acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of housing for low-income families and persons, and community and economic development activities that create jobs for low-income persons; and;

c. Such other activities as may be determined by the grantees in consultation with the Secretary or his or her designee.

Activities undertaken as part of, or as a result of, capacity building efforts described in this section shall support the implementation of other HUD programs, including but not limited to the Community

Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships, Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA), and the Continuum of Care program, in addition to issues related to sustainability and comprehensive neighborhood revitalization activities. Through these activities, grantees are encouraged to align with and support projects that create opportunities for transformative revitalization and investments focused on job growth, economic recovery, and neighborhood revitalization; this may include leveraging existing place-based investments. Additionally, grantees are encouraged to consider how CDCs and CHDOs may align investments with regional planning for sustainable economic development if such efforts are underway in the jurisdiction.

In addition, activities should support HUD’s Strategic Plan and priorities as described in Section I. of the General Section.

2. Other Statutory, Regulatory and Executive Order Requirements

a. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing. Consistent with the instructions in the General Section, applicants must submit with their application a description of how their proposed activities will affirmatively further fair housing. In developing their plans, applicants shall review the Analyses of Impediments to fair housing choice in the jurisdictions in which the activities will take place. Examples of activities that may address impediments to fair housing choice include: (1) Affirmative fair housing marketing that targets persons least likely to apply for housing, including outreach to underserved population groups or advocacy organizations representing such persons; (2) Increasing accessible housing for persons with disabilities in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Fair Housing Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act; (3) Planning new or rehabilitated housing in locations that provide greater housing choice and mobility opportunities for persons protected by the Fair Housing Act; (4) Providing language assistance services to persons with limited English proficiency; and

(5) Addressing other impediments to fair housing choice identified in a jurisdiction's Consolidated Plan and Analysis of Impediments in coordination with local and regional non-profit community groups and governmental organizations. The proposed activities must address at least one of the following objectives:

(1) help overcome any impediments to fair housing choice related to the assisted program or activity itself;

(2) promote racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse communities; or (3) promote housing-related opportunities that overcome the effects of past discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and familial status.

b. Accessible Housing and Other Facilities. Housing and other facilities constructed or rehabilitated using funds under this NOFA are subject to federal accessibility requirements under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, and the Architectural Barriers Act, as applicable.

c. Accessibility of Training Facilities. In the conduct of training and educational courses successful applicants must give priority to methods that provide physical access to individuals with disabilities, i.e., holding the training or any other type of meeting in an accessible location in accordance with the regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as applicable. All programs or activities must be held in accessible locations unless the recipient can demonstrate that doing so would result in a fundamental alteration of the program or an undue financial and administrative burden, in which case the recipients must take any action that would not result in such an alteration or such burden but would nevertheless ensure that individuals with disabilities receive the benefits and services of the program or activity, e.g., training at an alternate accessible site, in-home training. Individuals with disabilities must receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs.

d. Effective Communications. Successful applicants must also ensure that notices of and communications during all training sessions and meetings are provided in a manner that is effective for persons with hearing, visual, and other communications-related disabilities consistent with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (24 CFR 8.6), and as applicable, the Americans with Disabilities Act. This includes ensuring that training materials are in appropriate alternative formats as needed, e.g., Braille, includes ensuring that training materials are in appropriate alternative formats as needed, e.g., Braille, audio, large type, sign language interpreters, and assistive listening devices, etc. All products and tools for capacity building must be accessible in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (see, for example, 24 CFR 8.6, on effective communications).

e. Accessible Technology. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 508) requires the Department to ensure, when developing, procuring, maintaining, or using electronic and information technology (EIT), that the EIT allow persons with disabilities to access and use information and data on a comparable basis as is made available to and used by persons without disabilities. Providing access on a comparable basis means ensuring that the EIT is in compliance with the Section 508 standards adopted by the U.S. Access Board (www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-section-508 -standards/section-508-standards). Section 508 covers, but is not limited to, computers (hardware, software, word processing, email, and Internet sites), fax machines, copiers and telephones. Among other things, Section 508 requires that EIT allow individuals with disabilities who are federal employees or members of the public seeking information or services to have access to and use of information and data on a comparable basis as that made available to employees and members of the public without disabilities unless an undue burden would result to the federal department or agency. Where an undue burden exists to the federal department or agency, alternative means may be used to allow an individual with disabilities use of the information and data. Section 508 does not require that information services be provided at any location other than a location at which the information services are generally provided. The Department encourages its funding recipients to adopt the goals and objectives of Section 508 by ensuring, whenever EIT is used, that persons with disabilities have access to and use of the information and data made available through the EIT on a basis comparable as is made available to and used by persons without disabilities. This does not affect recipients’ required compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and, where applicable, the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants and recipients seeking further information on accessible technology are directed to www.section508.gov.

f. Executive Order 13166, “Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP).” Executive Order 13166 seeks to improve access to federally assisted programs and activities for individuals who, as a result of national origin, are limited in their English proficiency.

Applicants obtaining federal financial assistance from the Department shall take reasonable steps to ensure meaningful access to their programs and activities to LEP individuals. As an aid to recipients, the Department published Final Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients: Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons (LEP Guidance) in the Federal Register on January 22, 2007 (72 FR 2732). For assistance and information regarding LEP obligations, go to www.justice.gov/crt/lep/guidance/HUD_guidance_Jan07.pdf . For more information on LEP, please visit www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/lep.xml.

g. Economic Opportunities for Low- and Very Low-income Persons (Section 3). Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968. Applicants, by signing, certify that the applicant and all subgrantees shall comply with Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701u) and HUD’s implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 135, which require recipients to ensure, to the greatest extent feasible, that training, employment and contracting opportunities will be directed to Section 3 residents and to Section 3 business concerns. Additional information on these requirements can be found at http://www.hud.gov/section3.

Applicants must also ensure that their subgrantees have a feasible Section 3 plan to direct new employment and contracting opportunities created during the expenditure of covered financial assistance to Section 3 residents and Section 3 business concerns, and that their subgrantees demonstrate compliance with the requirements of Section 3 by reporting their activities in the Section 3 Annual Summary Report (Form HUD-60002).

h. Lead Requirements. When providing housing assistance funding for purchase, lease, support services, operation, or work that may disturb painted surfaces, of pre-1978 housing, you must comply with http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-section-508-standards/section-508-standards http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/communications-and-it/about-the-section-508-standards/section-508-standards http://www.section508.gov http://www.justice.gov/crt/lep/guidance/HUD_guidance_Jan07.pdf http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/lep.xml http://www.hud.gov/section3 the lead-based paint evaluation and hazard reduction requirements of HUD's lead-based paint rules (Lead Disclosure; and Lead Safe Housing (24 CFR part 35)) and EPA's lead-based paint rules (e.g., Repair, Renovation and Painting; Pre-Renovation Education; and Lead Training and Certification (40 CFR part 745)).

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Obtaining an Application Package.

An electronic copy of the Application Package and Application Instructions for this NOFA can be downloaded from Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html.

An applicant demonstrating good cause may request a waiver from the requirement for electronic submission. If you receive a waiver, your paper application must be received by HUD before the deadline of this NOFA. To request a waiver and receive a paper copy of the application materials, you should contact:

Tasleem Albaari Community Planning and Development Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operations 451 7th St., SW Room 7128 Washington, DC 20410 Phone: (336) 851-8138 Email: Tasleem.Albaari@hud.gov

B. Content and Form of Application Submission.

To assure you have the correct Application Package and Application Instructions, you must check that the CFDA number, the Opportunity Title, and the Funding Opportunity Number on the first page of your Application Package match those listed in the Overview of this NOFA. Your application will only be considered for the competition indicated on your submission.

A complete application under this NOFA must contain the information below. All forms required for application submission can be found in the application and instruction downloads on Grants.gov at http ://www.grants.gov/applicants/find_grant_opportunities.jsp .

1. Page Limitation. Narratives addressing Factors 1 through 5 are limited to no more than 34 typed pages.

That is, reviewers will not review more than 34 pages for all five factors and NOFA policy priority points combined, except that the page limit does not include the form HUD-2995 in support of the Preferred Sustainable Communities Status Bonus points.

2. Prohibition on Materials Not Required. Materials other than what is requested in this NOFA are prohibited. Reviewers will not consider resumes, charts, letters, or any other documents attached to the application, which are not specified in this NOFA.

3. Checklist for Application Submission. The following checklist is provided as a guide to help ensure that applicants submit all the required elements. All applicants should enter the applicant name, DUNS number, and page numbers on the narrative pages of the application. The paper submission must be in the order provided below.

__ Application for Federal Assistance (form SF424) (Note: Applicants must enter the legal name of their organization in box 8.a. and DUNS number in box 8.c. of the SF424 as it appears in the System for Award Management (SAM).

__ Faith-Based EEO Survey (SF424 Supplement, Survey for Ensuring Equal Opportunity for Applicants);

http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html mailto:Tasleem.Albaari@hud.gov http://www.grants.gov/applicants/find_grant_opportunities.jsp http://www.grants.gov/applicants/find_grant_opportunities.jsp

__ Narrative addressing Factors 1 through 5;

__ Grant Application Detailed Budget (HUD-424-CB);

__ Applicant Assurances and Certification (HUD-424-B);

__ Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SFLLL) (if applicable);

__ Applicant/Recipient Disclosure/Update Report (HUD2880);

__Certification of Consistency with Sustainable Communities Planning and Implementation Form (HUD 2995);

Forms for your package include the HUD standard forms outlined below:

See the checklist above in Section IV.B.

C. Application Submission Dates and Times.

Application Deadline.

Submit your application to Grants.gov unless a waiver has been issued allowing you to submit your application in paper form. Instructions on submitting your application to Grants.gov are contained within the Application Package you downloaded from Grants.gov.

The application deadline is 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern time on September 19, 2014.

Applications must be received no later than the deadline. Please refer to the General Section for more information about timely receipt of applications.

Applications must be received no later than the deadline. Please refer to the General Section for more information about timely receipt of applications.

Your application must be both received and validated by Grants.gov. Your application is “received” when Grant.gov provides you a confirmation of receipt and an application tracking number. If you do not see this confirmation and tracking number, your application has not been received.

After your application has been received, your application still must be validated by Grants.gov. During this process, your application may be “validated” or “rejected with errors.” To know whether your application was rejected with errors and the reason(s) why, you must log into Grants.gov, select “Applicants” from the top navigation, and select “Track my application” from the drop-down list. If the status is “rejected with errors,” you have the option to correct the error(s) and resubmit your application before the Grace Period ends. If your application was “rejected with errors” and you do not correct these errors, HUD will not review your application. If your status is “validated” your application will be forwarded to HUD by Grants.gov.

Grace Period for Grant.gov Submissions: If your application is received by Grants.gov before the deadline, but is rejected with errors, you have a grace period of one day beyond the application deadline to submit a corrected application that is received and validated by Grants.gov. Any application submitted during the grace period that does not meet the criteria above will not be considered for funding. There is no grace period for paper applications. See the General Section for more information about the grace period.

If you are required to submit supporting documentation you may either scan and attach these documents to your electronic application package or submit them via fax. If supporting documents are submitted by fax, you must use the HUD-96011 Facsimile Transmittal Form as a cover page; this form is located in your Application Package. You must send any faxes to the toll-free number 800-HUD-1010. If you cannot access the toll-free number or experience problems using that number you may use 215-825-8798 (this is not a toll-free number). If you or any other parties submitting documents for this application do not use the form HUD-96011 that came with your application as the fax cover page, the documents cannot be matched to the application. Consequently, these documents will not be considered when the application is evaluated. Additionally, if your fax machine creates a cover page, you must turn this feature off.

Amending a Validated Application: If you resubmit an application that was previously validated by Grants.gov, all documents faxed in support of the application must be faxed again using the form HUD-96011. You must fax the materials after the resubmitted application has been validated by Grants.gov. All faxed materials must be received by the applicable deadline.

D. Intergovernmental Review.

This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

E. Funding Restrictions.

No fee or profit may be paid to any recipient or subrecipient of an award under this capacity building

NOFA.

F. Other Submission Requirements.

Lead Based Paint Requirements

When providing housing assistance funding for purchase, lease, support services, operation, or work that may disturb painted surfaces, of pre-1978 housing, you must comply with the lead-based paint evaluation and hazard reduction requirements of HUD's lead-based paint rules (Lead Disclosure; and Lead Safe Housing (24 CFR part 35)), and EPA's lead-based paint rules (e.g., Repair, Renovation and Painting;

Pre-Renovation Education; and Lead Training and Certification (40 CFR part 745)).

V. Application Review Information

A. Review Criteria.

A.1. Rating Factors.

Rating Criteria. The maximum number of points to be awarded for a rural capacity building application is 104, which includes Rating Factors 1 through 5, two NOFA policy priority points and two bonus points.

Applicants that undertake activities that result in achievement of specific NOFA Priorities listed below are eligible to receive additional points in the rating of their application. These points will be considered only if the application meets or exceeds the Program's minimum fundable score based on the rating factors of this NOFA. The minimum score for an application to be considered for funding is 75. Two bonus points will be awarded for working with communities that have acquired Preferred Sustainable Status, as described in Section V.A.1.b of the General Section.

Points are assigned based on applicant responses to five factors. When addressing Factors 2 through 5, applicants should discuss the activities that will be carried out with Section 4 Capacity Building funds during the term of the grant agreement. Submissions should provide relevant examples to support the proposal, where appropriate. Submissions should also be specific when describing the communities, populations, and organizations that they propose to serve and the specific outcomes expected as a result of the activities.

Rating Factor 1 - Capacity of Applicant and Relevant Organizational Experience

Maximum Points: 25

Factor 1 relates to the capacity of the applicant and its relevant organizational experience. Rating of the “applicant” or the “applicant's organization and staff” includes in-house staff and any subcontractors and subrecipients who are firmly committed to the project. In responding to Factor 1, applicants should specify the experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant’s organization and staff and of any persons and organizations firmly committed to the project. Please do not include the Social Security Numbers of any staff.

a. (15 points) The applicant shall describe the national nature of the organization, including geographical areas and populations served and describe the extent of the expertise in rural housing and community development. The applicant shall also describe recent and successful experience of the applicant’s organization in building the capacity and ability of rural housing development organizations, CDCs, CHDOs, local governments, and Indian tribes to develop affordable housing and undertake community development activities.

In rating this factor, HUD will consider (1) the scope of applicant’s work, (2) the applicant’s level of expertise in rural housing and community development, and (3) the extent to which the application demonstrates successful experience of the applicant, its staff, consultants, and subcontractors, within the last 4 years, in providing technical and administrative expertise to build the capacity of rural housing development organizations, CDCs, CHDOs, local governments, and Indian tribes, including simultaneously managing multiple capacity building tasks, to multiple entities, in multiple geographic areas.

b. (10 points) The applicant shall demonstrate that there are knowledgeable key personnel skilled in providing one or more of the eligible activities for the Rural Capacity Building program; a sufficient number of staff, or ability to procure qualified experts or professionals, with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to deliver the proposed level of services in the proposed service area in a timely and effective fashion; and an ability to provide capacity building in rural settings.

In rating this factor, HUD will consider the extent to which the application demonstrates that the organization has adequate key staff or the ability to procure individuals with the knowledge of effective capacity building approaches, knowledge of developing affordable housing and community development activities, and expertise in rural housing and community development issues.

Rating Factor 2: Need/Extent of the Problem Maximum Points: 15

Applicants must demonstrate sound and extensive understanding of high-priority needs in rural settings and of the need for capacity building in relation to the eligible activities and priorities identified in Section III.C., of this NOFA, as demonstrated by objective information and/or data, such as information from current census data, the American Housing Survey, or other relevant data sources. Applicants must demonstrate the need for capacity building in the rural areas where applicants plan to focus their efforts, including the need to develop the capacity and ability of rural housing development organizations, CDCs, CHDOs, local governments and Indian tribes to undertake community development and affordable housing projects and programs. In addition, applicants must demonstrate an understanding of the needs of specific disadvantaged communities, populations, and/or organizations that previously have been underserved and have the potential to participate in the Rural Capacity Building program (such areas identified as high risk foreclosure areas, Colonias, Appalachia’s distressed counties, the lower Mississippi Delta region, or locally designated community development target areas).

In rating this factor, HUD will evaluate the extent to which the applicant has identified and documented, using reliable data, such as information from current census data, the American Housing Survey, or other relevant data sources, the capacity building needs of rural housing development organizations, CDCs, CHDOs, local governments and Indian tribes in target areas where they intend to focus and on meeting the needs of specific communities, populations, or organizations that lack access to economic, educational, social or housing opportunity. HUD is particularly interested in addressing the capacity building needs of rural housing development organizations, CDCs, CHDOs, local governments and Indian tribes currently or prospectively administering other HUD programs such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS Program (HOPWA), and HUD’s homeless programs.

HUD is also interested in building the capacity of organizations to be designated as rural housing development organizations, CDCs or CHDOs in rural areas that currently do not have organizations with such designations.

Rating Factor 3: Soundness of Approach Maximum Points: 45

a. (30 points) The applicant shall provide a sound approach for addressing the need for eligible capacity building activities for rural housing development organizations, CDCs, CHDOs, local governments, and Indian tribes, as well as the priorities identified in Section III.C. of this NOFA that will result in positive outcomes. The approach shall include a feasible work plan for identifying rural housing development organizations, CDCs, CHDOs, local governments and Indian tribes. The work plan shall include a description of how the applicant will design, organize, manage, and carry out the proposed capacity building activities, including a timeline for implementing each aspect of the work plan.

In rating this factor, HUD will evaluate the extent to which the application presents and supports a detailed, feasible, and practical approach for addressing capacity building needs for rural housing development organizations, CDCs, CHDOs, local governments, and Indian tribes, including techniques, time frames, goals, and intended beneficiaries, and the likelihood that these activities will be cost-effective and will result in the ability of the organizations receiving capacity building assistance to commence work on specific housing and community development activities by the end of the performance period. HUD will also evaluate the extent to which the applicant demonstrates the efficiency of the design, organization, and management of the proposed activities as well as the extent to which the applicant demonstrates that recipients receiving capacity building support through the Rural Capacity Building program will participate in the Consolidated Plan process and develop activities consistent with local Consolidated Plans.

b. (14 points) Applicants shall demonstrate how the proposed approach to capacity building supports and magnifies the effects of other HUD programs in the communities assisted through rural capacity building.

In rating this factor, HUD will evaluate the extent to which applicants identify specific strategies to support and magnify the impact of HUD programs, including but not limited to the CDBG Program, Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) program, HOME Program, HOPWA Program, Indian Housing Block Grant program, Indian Housing Loan Guarantee program, and HUD’s homeless programs, including, but not limited to, dollar amounts of other programs to be leveraged as a result of these strategies, and number of rural housing development organizations, rural CDCs, CHDOs, local governments, and Indian tribes with expanded capacity to administer these programs.

c. (1 point) Applicants should describe how they will comply with Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act and HUD’s implementing rules at 24 CFR Part 135 to provide employment and training opportunities for low- and very low-income persons, as well as contracting and other economic opportunities for businesses that provide economic opportunities to low- and very low-income persons.

While contractors, subcontractors or sub-grantees receiving contracts under the grant totaling $100,000 or less need not meet the Section 3 requirements as a regulatory mandate, all grantees that receive awards exceeding $200,000 in Section 3 Covered assistance are required to comply with Section 3 requirements. Additional information regarding all Section 3 requirements can be found in Section III.C.3(b) of the Technical Correction to the General Section.

In this Rating Factor, HUD will evaluate the applicant’s description of how Section 3 requirements will be accomplished by identifying the number of new jobs, contracts, and training opportunities that applicable project activities will generate and an applicant’s strategies for targeting Section 3 residents and businesses for such economic opportunities.

Factor 4: Leveraging Resources Maximum Points: 5

Additional resources committed to assist the Rural Capacity Building program will achieve points for this rating factor. Resources may include cash or in-kind contributions of services, equipment, or supplies allocated to the proposed program from governmental entities, public or private organizations, or other entities. The applicant must support each source of contributions with a letter of commitment from the contributing entity, whether a public or private source. Such supporting documentation must be provided in the form of letters of firm commitment, memorandums of understanding, or other signed agreements from those entities. Each letter of commitment, memorandum of understanding, or agreement to participate must include the organization's name, the proposed value of the commitment, and the responsibilities as they relate to your proposed program and must be dated after the date of publication of this NOFA. The commitment must be signed and dated by an official of the organization legally able to make commitments on behalf of the organization. If the applicant does not provide letters from contributors specifying details and the amount of the actual contributions, those contributions will not be counted.

In rating this factor, HUD will evaluate the amount of leverage committed as a percentage of the requested grant amount. To achieve full points for this factor, the applicant will provide firm commitments equal to 15% of the requested grant amount. Less than 15% commitment will receive fewer points. Where an applicant receives an award and the award is less than the requested amount, the applicant must provide firm commitments equal to at least 15% of the awarded grant amount. If there are no firm commitments, there will be no points for this factor.

Rating Factor 5: Achieving Results and Program Evaluation Maximum Points: 10

The applicant shall provide an effective, quantifiable evaluation plan for measuring performance with specific outcome measures and benchmarks, and performance improvements.

In rating this factor, HUD will evaluate the extent to which the application has an evaluation plan that includes outcomes that are specific, measurable, and appropriate in relation to the activities proposed.

The measures should demonstrate quantifiably the improved organizational development of rural housing development organizations, CDCs, CHDOs, local governments, and Indian tribes. HUD is committed to ensuring that programs result in the achievement of HUD’s strategic mission. To support this effort, grant applications submitted for the Rural Capacity Building program will be rated on how well they tie proposed outcomes to HUD’s strategic plan, policy priorities, and annual goals and objectives, and the quality of the applicant’s proposed evaluation and monitoring plans. HUD’s strategic framework establishes the goals and objectives for the Department. Please refer to Section A and Appendix A of the General Section.

A.2. NOFA Priorities.

HUD encourages applicants for funding to undertake programs and projects that contribute to HUD's NOFA Priorities. Applicants that undertake activities that result in achievement of specific NOFA Priorities listed below are eligible to receive additional points in the rating of their application. These points will be considered only if the application meets or exceeds the Program's minimum fundable score based on the rating factors of this NOFA.

Policy Priority #1: Promote Economic Development and Economic Resilience (1 point)

A. Community Economic Development (1 point): To receive 1 point under this objective, applicants must show how their proposed grant activities will build infrastructure within the target community to support 1) job creation for low income people; 2) business opportunities for small and/or disadvantaged businesses; and/or 3) create a flow of investment of private or other public capital into a) small and disadvantaged businesses or b) nonprofit activities serving low income people; and/or 4) any combination of the above. Applicants must provide substantive description of each activity and specific, measureable targets of economic development impact, with a narrative supporting the estimate. For programs already subject to the requirements of Section 3 (see paragraph VI.B.2) applicants must clearly explain how the proposed activities exceed the requirements of Section 3 to “ensure that employment and other economic opportunities generated by HUD financial assistance shall, to the greatest extent feasible, and consistent with existing Federal, State and local laws and regulations, be directed to low- and very low-income persons.” (24 CFR 135.1)

Policy Priority #2: Increase Energy Efficiency and the Health and Safety of Homes (1 point)

A. Comprehensive assessments of and interventions in homes for rehabilitation, health and energy deficiencies (1 point): The applicant must demonstrate a high degree of technical expertise (through past performance or staff competencies) in, and commit to, encouraging and assisting technical assistance recipients to identify specific projects and activities that will comprehensively assess housing units for rehabilitation, health and energy deficiencies and coordinate interventions across multiple disciplines, and address the risks based on the comprehensive assessment. Health intervention measures include lead hazard control, allergen reduction, mold and moisture remediation; or other measures designed to result in decrease in symptom days, emergency treatment or inpatient hospital stays for asthmatic residents;

decrease in numbers of safety related injuries taking place in the home; decrease in number of homes with residents who smoke or increase in the number of multifamily properties (privately owned unassisted or HUD-assisted housing, or public housing) where smoking is prohibited on the property; any other measurable outcome that demonstrates the positive health impact of comprehensive housing assessments, home/health focused education,…