FR-6500-N-30 FY21 HCT NOFO.pdf

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Office of Housing

FY21 NOFO Housing Counseling Training Grant Program

FR-6500-N-30

11/19/2021

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. Obtaining an Application Package

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

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

D. Application Submission Dates and Times

E. Intergovernmental Review

F. Funding Restrictions

G. Other Submission Requirements

V. Application Review Information

A. Review Criteria

B. Review and Selection Process

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

B. Statutory and Administrative, National and Department Requirements for HUD Recipients

C. Reporting

D. Debriefing

VII. Agency Contact(s)

VIII. Other Information

APPENDIX

Program Office:

Office of Housing Funding Opportunity Title:

FY21 NOFO Housing Counseling Training Grant Program Funding Opportunity Number:

FR-6500-N-30

Primary CFDA Number:

14.316 Due Date for Applications:

11/19/2021 Overview The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issues this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to invite applications from eligible applicants for the program and purpose described within this NOFO. Prospective applicants should carefully read all instructions in all sections to avoid sending an incomplete or ineligible application. HUD funding is highly competitive. Failure to respond accurately to any submission requirement could result in an incomplete or noncompetitive proposal.

During the selection process HUD is prohibited from disclosing 1) information regarding any applicant’s relative standing, 2) the amount of assistance requested by an applicant, and 3) any information contained in the application. Prior to the application deadline, HUD may not disclose the identity of any applicant or the number of applicants that have applied for assistance.

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

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

OMB Approval Number(s):

2502-0567

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION.

A. Program Description.

1. Purpose The purpose of this assistance is to continue investing in the creation and maintenance of a professional and effective housing counseling industry that is able to meaningfully assist consumers by providing them with the information they need to make informed housing choices and maximize the impact of Federal funding appropriated for HUD’s Housing Counseling

Program.

Statutory requirements enacted as part of the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) require that individual housing counselors participating in HUD’s Housing Counseling Program shall demonstrate, by written examination, that they are competent in providing counseling in each of the core topics provided at section 106(e)(2) of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (Section 106) (12 U.S.C. 1701x(e)(2)). HUD published the Final Rule implementing Housing Counseling Certification requirements on December 14, 2016, at 81 FR 90632. A revision of the certification timeline was later published in a Final Rule on December 4, 2020, at 85 FR 78230. The 2016 rule implements statutory requirements that housing counseling required under or provided in connection with all HUD programs must be provided by a HUD-certified counselor employed by a Participating Agency.

HUD requires six (6) Core Topics in which housing counselors need to be trained and competent. These are: Financial Management; Property Maintenance; Homeownership and Tenancy; Fair Housing and other Civil Rights Laws and Requirements; Housing Affordability;

Avoidance of, and responses to, rental and mortgage delinquency and avoidance of eviction and mortgage default.

HUD also acknowledges the need for more housing counselors trained in Rental Housing and Mortgage Delinquency and Default counseling. In that regard, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) enacted on March 27, 2020, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Federal Housing Administration (FHA), provided various moratoriums on foreclosure and eviction filings to provide urgent economic relief to households impacted by COVID-19. The prospect of these moratoria expiring or having expired has amplified the need for housing counseling services provided by trained and competent counselors. HUD also recognizes the important role housing counselors can provide in helping to mitigate delinquencies and defaults leading to foreclosures and evictions and how counseling services directly result in a mitigation of losses to the FHA Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund.

This funding assistance will expand the number of agencies and counselors who can provide Rental Housing and Mortgage Delinquency and Default counseling.

While these areas of specialty are most important, HUD also encourages housing counselor workforce development through programs designed to prepare students for future careers in housing counseling, to strengthen the overall capacity of the HUD housing counseling network.

These programs can be administered directly by Training NOFO (TNOFO) grantees, or by partnering with institutions of higher education, including but not limited to, Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), or other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).

Current HUD priorities also center on Disaster Preparation and Recovery. Housing Counseling agencies (HCAs) are in a unique position to help their communities prepare for and recover from a disaster. They can help their clients prepare for disasters by integrating preparedness into their counseling and education activities. Post-disaster, they can use their knowledge of local resources and programs to help clients navigate the complexities of disaster recovery resources and programs. HUD recognizes that counselors may specialize in specific housing counseling topics, and that counselors will need more than general housing counseling training to provide high quality services that include general and specialized housing counseling topics. This NOFO supports courses that provide training in the areas of disaster preparation and recovery that prepare counselors for providing disaster-related quality housing counseling services.

In summary, this NOFO provides notice of a grant program that supports the provision of both basic housing counseling training and specialized topics of training including training in the core topics for housing counselor certification, rental housing counseling, mortgage delinquency and default counseling, housing counselor workforce development, and disaster preparation and recovery to help meet these perceived needs. This financial support will assist HCAs to increase the use of partnerships with local and state-wide organizations to provide additional place-based training on state and local issues. In addition, this support should result in an increased number of counselor training scholarships.

2. Changes from Previous NOFO.

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

HUD will use the grant applications received for FY2021 and the corresponding scores and funding methodology to make awards for FY2022, subject to the availability of appropriations.

HUD will contact eligible FY2021 grantees to determine their interest in FY2022 funds if available.

Program Definitions:

Eligible Training Recipients:

1. Those counselors employed by housing counseling agencies participating in HUD's Housing Counseling program;

2. Individuals enrolled in workforce development training programs administered by the TNOFO grantee. Individuals must be sponsored by a HUD participating housing counseling agency to qualify; and

3. Additional funds may be available to persons enrolled in a HUD certified housing counselor workforce development program sponsored by the TNOFO grantee and an institution of higher education including, but not limited to, an HBCU, TCU, or other

MSI.

Consultant: An added definition for a third-party individual who provides training and/or course development.

Training Partner: In addition to government agencies and/or non-profit organizations, these may also include for profit organizations with two years of experience providing housing counselor training. Training Partners that are only providing support services, venues, or other logistical support do not have to meet the two-year experience requirement providing housing counseling training.

New Eligible Activities:

HUD Certified Housing Counselor Examination Preparation: Prepare counselors to take the HUD Certified Housing Counselor examination, and demonstrate competency in each of the following housing counselor certification topics: 1) financial management; 2) property maintenance; 3) responsibilities of homeownership and tenancy; 4) fair housing and other civil rights laws and requirements; 5) housing affordability; and, 6) avoidance of, and responses to, rental and mortgage delinquency and avoidance of eviction and mortgage default. Delivery can include individual and group tutoring sessions.

Delivering Counseling Services in a Virtual Environment: May include training counselors to virtually provide housing counseling services, maintain client files and Personally Identifiable Information (PII), collect electronic signatures, manage call centers, deliver one-to-one and group counseling remotely, working from home.

Housing Counselor Workforce Development Program: A housing counseling program that is designed to prepare students for a career in housing counseling.

Application Charts:

Clarified definition and updated instructions on scholarships, columns K, L and M (previously columns N,O, and P) in Charts A and B, to define "full scholarship" as travel (including lodging, transportation, and per diem) and tuition. The revised application charts, form HUD-92910, was approved by OMB on November 20, 2020, with a new expiration date of November 30, 2023.

Changes to Rating Factors:

Rating Factor 1: Requirement to provide number of counselors since inception changed to number of counselors trained in the last three (3) grant years, July 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020.

Rating Factor 3:

Chart C – Include narrative on actual expenditures. Applicants must explain expenses in excess of ten percent (10%) of the overall budget that did not result in the direct provision of training services and were not supported by an approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) or indirect cost rate.

Scholarships (RF3,B,2,a)- Include the anticipated number and type (lodging, tuition only, tuition and travel) of counseling scholarships issued to persons enrolled in a HUD certified housing counselor workforce development program sponsored by the TNOFO grantee and an institution of higher education including, but not limited to, an HBCU, TCU or other MSI that will be made available during the grant period of performance July 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022.

Rating Factor 4: Maximum points available was changed from seven (7) to five (5) points.

Rating Factor 5: Maximum points available was changed from eight (8) to ten (10) points.

Applicants that were unable to expend grant funds within the designated performance period(s) will not receive full points.

Proposed Funding Methodology:

Applications that earn a score of seventy-five (75) points or more will receive a base amount, as determined by HUD. The second tier of funding will be based on the total number of HUD scholarships awarded in FY2019 Grant Period of October 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020, which includes the extension period of performance. The third tier of funding will be based on the total number of classes provided for the same period. The fourth tier of funding will be based on the proposed number of HUD scholarships for institutions of higher education including, but not limited to, an HBCU, TCU or other MSI.

3. Definitions.

a. Standard Definitions

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

Assistance Listings means a unique number assigned to identify a Federal Assistance Listing, formerly known as the CFDA Number.

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

1) Grant;

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

3. Loans;

4. Loan guarantees;

5. Subsidies;

6. Insurance;

7. Food commodities;

8. Direct appropriations;

9. Assessed or voluntary contributions; or

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

b. Federal Financial Assistancedoes not include:

1. Technical assistance, which provides services in lieu of money; and

2. A transfer of title to federally owned property provided in lieu of money, even if the award is called a grant.

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

Consolidated Plan is a document developed by states and local jurisdictions. This plan is completed by engaging in a participatory process to assess their affordable housing and community development needs and market conditions, and to make data-driven, place-based investment decisions with funding from formula grant programs. (See 24 CFR part 91 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 in 2 CFR 200.1.

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

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

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

Not influence how an applicant is ranked or scored versus other applicants; and

Be remedied within the time frame specified in the notice of deficiency.

Non-Curable Deficiencies cannot be corrected by an applicant after the submission deadline.

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

DUNS Number is the nine-digit Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Number

System identification number assigned to a business or organization by Dun & Bradstreet and provides a means of identifying business entities on a location-specific basis. OMB removed duplicate recipients based on recipient Data Universal Number System (DUNS) numbers, from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). At this time all Federal financial assistance recipients are required to register for DUNS numbers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. The instrument setting forth the terms and conditions. The instrument is the grant agreement, cooperative agreement, other agreement for assistance covered in paragraph

(2) of the definitions of Federal financial assistance in 2 CFR §200.1, 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

The definition of "small"—in terms of being able to apply for government support and qualify for preferential tax policy—varies by country and industry. The U.S. Small Business Administration defines a small business according to a set of standards based on specific industries.{e-CFR Title 13-Chapter I – 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 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0ff5f0839abff4eec707b4478ed733c6&mc=true&node=pt13.1.121&rgn=div5&se13.1.121_1101 agreement that 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 for a Federal awarding agency.

System for Award Management (SAM) means 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 athttps://www.sam.gov/SAM/. There is no cost to use SAM.

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

Unique Entity Identifier means the identifier required for SAM registration to uniquely identify business entities.

4. Program Definitions HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies. HUD-approved HCAs are private and public nonprofit organizations that are exempt from taxation under section 501(a) pursuant to section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1996, 26 U.S.C. 501(a) and 501(c), and approved by HUD, in accordance with HUD Handbook 7610.1 REV-5 and 24 CFR Part 214, to provide housing counseling services to clients directly, or through their affiliates or branches, and which meet the requirements set forth in this part.

Eligible Training Recipients:

1. Those counselors employed by HCAs participating in HUD’s Housing Counseling program;

2. Individuals enrolled in workforce development training programs administered by the TNOFO grantee. Individuals must be sponsored by a HUD participating housing counseling agency to qualify; and

3. Additional funds may be available to persons enrolled in a HUD certified housing counselor workforce development program sponsored by the TNOFO grantee and an institution of higher education including, but not limited to, an HBCU, TCU, or other

MSI.

Trainers. Individuals must have been trained in adult education, have practical experience and subject matter expertise in the specific field they are presenting, and have at least two (2) years of experience providing housing counseling training. Multiple trainers can be used for a single course to fulfill these requirements.

Consultant. A third-party individual who provides training and/or course development.

Training Partners. Agencies and organizations that provide training must have at least two (2) https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ years of experience providing housing counseling training. They may be governmental agencies, for-profit and/or non-profit organizations. Examples of training partners include state housing finance agencies, state, local and tribal government agencies, housing counseling coalitions and networks, housing industry associations, HUD approved housing counseling agencies and other housing industry partners. Agencies and organizations that are simply providing support services, venues, or other logistical support do not have to meet the two-year experience requirement providing housing counseling training. Participation by training partners shall be limited to services procured by Grantees and Sub-grantees.

B. Authority.

HUD's Housing Counseling Program is authorized by Section 106 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701x) and Section 4(g) of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3533(g)) as amended. The Housing Counseling implementing regulations are found at 24 CFR part 214. Additional guidance is provided in the HUD Handbook 7610.1, REV-5. Funding for this NOFO is provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260, approved December 27, 2020).

II. Award Information.

A. Available Funds Funding of approximately $2,000,000 is available through this NOFO.

Additional funds may become available for award under this NOFO, because of HUD's efforts to recapture funds, use carryover funds, or because of the availability of additional appropriated funds. 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 5 awards from the funds available under this NOFO.

C. Minimum/Maximum Award Information Estimated Total Funding:

$2,000,000 Minimum Award Amount:

$0 Per Project Period

Maximum Award Amount:

$2,000,000 Per Project Period

D. Period of Performance The initial period of performance for grants awarded under this program will be for a period of fifteen (15) months. For planning purposes, Applicants should assume that the period of performance is July 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022.

HUD expects to make approximately five (5) awards from the funds available under this NOFO.

HUD may at its discretion, fund a single organization to deliver the full spectrum of activities eligible for funding, or make multiple awards under this NOFO. HUD also reserves the right to not make any awards.

Estimated Project Start Date:

07/01/2021 Estimated Project End Date:

09/30/2022 Length of Project Periods:

Other

Length of Periods Explanation of Other:

15 months

E. Type of Funding Instrument.

Funding Instrument Type:

CA (Cooperative Agreement) HUD expects to use a cooperative agreement. All awards will be made on a cost reimbursement basis in accordance with, and subject to, the requirements in 2 CFR Part 200. If an Applicant receives an award, it must comply with and ensure that sub-recipients also comply with the above requirements.

Awards made under a Cooperative Agreement will entail significant HUD involvement including, but not limited to, the following items:

Review and approval of marketing of courses assistance;

Work plan changes, including increasing the availability of remote training;

Review and approval of proposed courses, including course materials;

HUD may provide Grantees with counseling content standards;

HUD may provide recommendations for course work, training or other activities that address Departmental initiatives;

Review and approval of training locations, technology and logistics. HUD reserves the right to review and approve or reject training locations, technology, and logistics as well as the type of training and courses offered including review to ensure appropriate access is provided for persons with disabilities and persons with limited English proficiency

(LEP);

Review and approval of evaluation instruments and methodology for determining value of courses and impact;

Identifying functional needs of persons with disabilities or other population groups and outreach techniques; and

Course audit by HUD staff.

If funds are provided subject to a Cooperative Agreement, HUD may also exercise the right to have substantial involvement by conducting monitoring reviews, requesting quarterly reports, approving all proposed deliverables documented in the Applicant's Work Plan or Statement of Work (SOW), and determining whether the agency meets all certification and assurance requirements.

III. Eligibility Information.

A. Eligible Applicants.

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

Additional Information on Eligibility Non-profit organizations, other than institutions of higher education, are eligible to apply.

Applicants must be a public or private non-profit organization and must submit evidence of tax-exempt status under section 501(a) and be an entity described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 501(a) and (c)(3)). Applicants must have at least two years of experience providing housing counseling training services nationwide to housing counselors employed by housing counseling agencies participating in HUD’s Housing Counseling Program.

Applicants are not required to be HUD Approved HCAs.

Applicants may utilize in-house staff, sub-grant recipients, Training Partners (see definition of Training Partners in the instructions for HUD-92910 Chart E and in the definitions section of this NOFO), qualified third-party trainers, and consultants, with requisite experience and capacity.

HUD strongly encourages the partnering by Grantees with State Housing Finance Agencies (SHFA) and other Training Partners. However, only a non-profit organization must be designated as the primary Applicant. This NOFO is structured to encourage agencies to sub-allocate funding to Sub-Grantees or Training Partners or both. Sub-Grantees and Training Partners may include 1) SHFAs; 2) local, county or state governments; or 3) local or state housing coalitions or networks that are public or private non-profit organizations. Sub-Grantees and/or Training Partners in the third category must have Federal tax-exempt status under IRC section 501(a) as an entity described in IRC section 501(c)(3) [(26 U.S.C. 501(a) and (c)(3)).

As required by 2 CFR 25.200 and 24 CFR Part 5 Subpart K, all Applicants for financial assistance must have an active DUNS number (http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform) and have an active registration in the SAM (www.sam.gov) before submitting an application. Getting a DUNS number and completing SAM registration can take up to four (4) weeks; therefore, Applicants should start this process or check their status early.

See also Section IV.B for necessary form and content information.

All Applicants, Sub-grantees and/or Training Partners must disclose to HUD the status of active HUD Office of Inspector General (OIG) audits or investigations at the time of the NOFO application submission date. At the time of application submission or thereafter, HUD may determine that Applicants are not eligible for grant funding based on its review of HUD OIG audits and investigations.

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

B. Ineligible Applicants.

For Profit Entities Indian Tribes (including as Alaska native villages) and their Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHE) Individuals

C. Cost Sharing or Matching.

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

D. Threshold Eligibility Requirements.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6. Dismissal of charges.

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

E. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements Affecting Eligibility.

Eligibility Requirements for Applicants of HUD’s Grants Programs The following requirements affect applicant eligibility. Detailed information on each requirement is posted on HUD’s Funding Opportunities Page.

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

F. Program-Specific Requirements.

Geographic Coverage. Applicants must propose to provide the housing counseling trainings nationwide. The proposed training program must be national in scope and made available to any eligible housing counselor or manager participating in the HUD Housing Counseling program.

Required activities:

1. Eligible Training Recipients. Recipients of training offered by Grantees under the award must be housing counselors employed by HCAs participating in HUD's Housing Counseling Program or persons enrolled in a HUD certified housing counselor career development program sponsored by the TNOFO grantee and an institution of higher education including, but not limited to, an HBCU, TCU, or other MSI.

2. Open Enrollment. Training enrollment and assistance provision must be open to all. For example, enrollment, eligibility and scholarships may not be restricted to Affiliates or Branches of a specific Intermediary or participating housing counseling agency or conducted in a way that favors affiliates or branches of a particular organization.

3. Housing Counseling Training must not be limited to in-person, but must be offered through a variety of models to increase ease of access, including webinars and other Internet-based training models. Live, Internet-based, and other training modes of delivery must be accessible to persons with disabilities. Applicants may offer courses through additional modes of delivery.

4. Learning Checks. Regardless of format, training must have learning checks including a final https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps examination that confirm a counselor's participation and measure understanding of course material and learning objectives.

5. Scholarships. The proposal must include a scholarship element, including assistance with travel, hotel, and/or tuition expenses for eligible housing counselors that are employed by HCAs participating in HUD’s housing counseling program or persons enrolled in a HUD certified housing counselor workforce development program sponsored by the TNOFO grantee and an institution of higher education including, but not limited to, an HBCU, TCU, or other MSI.

6. Underserved/Underrepresented Populations. All training programs must effectively serve LEP, rural, lower income, persons with disabilities and other underserved/underrepresented of housing consumer populations. Affirmative efforts must be made to ensure that existing housing counseling capacity in underserved and underrepresented housing consumer populations is preserved and expanded. To support the delivery of services in communities where English is not the primary language, the training and testing must be culturally sensitive.

Eligible Activities.

Applicants may propose to develop and implement a comprehensive and ongoing training program for housing counselors working for agencies participating in HUD's Housing Counseling Program. The training program must contain both basic and advanced training courses. Eligible activities may also include ongoing efforts to evaluate training quality and impact and assess the need for additional training.

An Applicant may propose to provide training on one (1) or more of the training topics listed below.

1. General Housing Counseling. Teach counselors the principles and applications of housing counseling from the lender and the counselor point of view. Review the skills and tools needed to be an effective housing counselor. Provide overviews of the industry from a national perspective, as well as information about pre- and post-purchase counseling for homeowners, delinquency, and default counseling.

2. HUD Certified Housing Counselor Examination Preparation. Prepare counselors to take the HUD Certified Housing Counselor examination and demonstrate competency in each of the following housing counselor certification topics: 1) financial management; 2) property maintenance; 3) responsibilities of homeownership and tenancy; 4) fair housing and other civil rights laws and requirements; 5) housing affordability; and 6) avoidance of, and responses to, rental and mortgage delinquency and avoidance of eviction and mortgage default. Delivery can include individual and group tutoring sessions.

3. Pre-Purchase Counseling. Train counselors in conducting results-oriented individual counseling sessions for prospective homebuyers, including financial literacy, budget analysis, developing corrective action plans and timelines for success, and facilitating progress as customers overcome obstacles and move toward mortgage-readiness. Train counselors regarding state-of-the-art software designed specifically for credit rebuilding, debt reduction, automated budgeting, and down payment savings accumulation. Use sample customer cases to identify obstacles and simulate counseling sessions. Teach counselors to give consumers more information about the true cost of living by incorporating both housing and transportation costs into measures of affordability. Teach counselors to conduct educational seminars and advise clients regarding how to avoid predatory lenders and common lending pitfalls. Provide counselors the knowledge and tools to help borrowers avoid inflated appraisals, unreasonably high interest rates, unaffordable repayment terms, and other conditions that can result in a loss of equity, increased debt, default, and eventually foreclosure. Train counselors to counsel potential homebuyers to get an independent home inspection before the home sale closing, and train counselors in any HUD required home inspection materials, if applicable. Train counselors on the HUD/EPA Lead Disclosure Rule (24 CFR Part 35, Sub-part A) and the Lead Safe Housing Rule (24 CFR Part 35, Sub-parts B, K and R). See the lead-safety information and guidance at:

https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/healthy_homes. ; Train counselors to counsel potential homebuyers on radon and related issues. See EPA's radon guidance at: www.epa.gov/radon and HUD's at: https://www.hud.gov/healthyhomes ; by clicking on "About Radon" (including the radon fact sheet linked from that page). Train counselors to help clients manage debt, avoid predatory lenders, avoid discriminatory loan limits and avoid mortgage default. Train counselors to educate potential homebuyers on how to recognize fair housing issues such as redlining, steering, discriminatory appraisals and discriminatory advertising practices. Train counselors to educate potential homebuyers on how to file a fair housing complaint if they suspect their rights have been violated under the Fair Housing Act. Teach counselors how to read the warning signs of debt problems and how to recognize predatory lenders, as well as identify available resources to help keep homeowners out of financial trouble. Inform counselors about HUD's Equal Access Rule and the provision of housing without regard to sexual orientation, gender identification, or marital status. Assist counselors with obtaining a thorough understanding of state and federal regulations, including the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 (12 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.) (RESPA) and the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C.1601 et seq.) (TILA) so they are fully versed in Federal, state, and local requirements in the counseling service area.

4. Training Counselors on Lending Practices and Financial Analysis. Train counselors in lending practices, analysis of financials, risk elements, and general concepts affecting conventional and government-insured mortgage loan decisions. Provide counselors with effective procedures and techniques to teach clients about financing options and how to choose appropriate loan products and features. Review case studies to illustrate the functional areas of the underwriting process, from the application to the loan sale.

5. Homebuyer Education Programs. Teach counselors how to: deliver a comprehensive homebuyer education program; use the best materials and methods to train homebuyers with regard to increasing homebuyer financial literacy; create informed consumers when shopping for a home and mortgage loan; improve one's budget and credit profiles; encourage potential homebuyers to order an independent home inspection before home sale closing, and train counselors regarding any HUD required home inspection materials, if applicable; make homebuyers knowledgeable about the Lead Disclosure Rule for pre-1978 homes, EPA's Rehabilitation, Repair, and Paint Rule and the testing available for lead hazards, toxic mold, radon, and other conditions that affect the living environment and can add substantial costs to home owners having to address these issues after settlement; and maintaining one's home and finances after purchase.

6. Foreclosure Prevention. Train counselors on the protocol for counseling homeowners in financial distress. Address all aspects of delinquency and default, including reasons for default, ways to maximize income and reduce expenses, calculating delinquencies, understanding the players in the mortgage marketplace, loss-mitigation options for FHA-insured and other loans, information about foreclosure laws and timelines, tips on effectively intervening with lenders and servicers, managing multiple mortgages or liens, and the pros and cons of mortgage loan refinancing. This training should include information on Federal and other foreclosure prevention programs, such as the Flex Modification Program, as well as how to identify and report loan scams.

7. Reverse Mortgages. Train counselors about reverse mortgages for elderly homeowners, including FHA-insured HECMs. Teach them to understand products and programs, analyze plans, compare their costs and benefits, and identify alternatives. Also, review relevant counseling skills and ethics.

8. HECM Default Counseling. Train housing counselors to work with HECM borrowers who are delinquent and/or at risk of defaulting due to unpaid property taxes, insurance, homeowner association dues, or other fees and assessments. Counselors do not need to be HECM roster counselors to perform HECM default counseling.

9. Reverse Mortgage Examination Preparation. HUD HECM Counselor Roster Examination Preparation. Provide counselors preparation for the HUD HECM Counselor examination.

10. Reverse Mortgage Continuing Education. Provide counselors a continuing education course that offers advanced topics on reverse mortgage counseling.

11. Non-Delinquency Post Purchase. Train counselors in how to advise individuals and conduct workshops aimed at ensuring the long-term success of new homebuyers, including home maintenance and repair, lead safety for pre-1978 homes (including EPA's Rehabilitation, Repair, and Paint Rule), financial literacy and management, insurance, and record keeping.

12. Counseling Individuals and Families that are Homeless or at Risk of Becoming Homeless. Train counselors about the various social services available to which they should be referring homeless and potentially homeless families and individuals. Provide information on Federal, state, and local homeless programs, including the Continuum of Care (COC) Program and how clients can access these programs. Share strategies on how to partner with local public service providers to ensure that clients receive attention and assistance quickly and efficiently.

Review the unique characteristics of the homeless population to help counselors understand the types of financial literacy, physical, and social problems facing the families and individuals who seek their assistance.

13. Counseling on Emergency Preparedness and Recovery. Train counselors how to prepare agency and personal Emergency Preparedness Plans. Train counselors about unique circumstances faced by victims of disasters and other emergencies. Discuss Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), FHA and Small Business Administration (SBA) programs that assist with recovery.

14. HUD's Housing Counseling Program Compliance. Train counselors about the requirements of HUD's Housing Counseling Program, including the delivery of homeownership counseling and education, form HUD-9902 reporting, preparing for HUD performance reviews and resolving findings, and supervisory monitoring.

15. Housing Counseling Program Management. Train managers and future managers about opportunities to diversify funding sources; recruiting, managing, and retaining counseling staff;

performing contract reviews and programmatic assessments; marketing to a variety of target audiences; complying with fair housing and other civil rights laws and requirements; maintaining focus on quality assurance and higher proficiency; increasing capacity; and efficiently managing case files utilizing a variety of time management techniques.

16. Rental Housing. Train counselors in how to educate individuals on how to secure and maintain residence in rental housing; tenant/landlord responsibilities; Lead Disclosure Rule requirements and lead safety awareness; fair housing and other civil rights laws and requirements; state and local laws; the eviction process; budgeting; and how to access rental assistance programs, research, and use of policy and program information, such as market eviction research and eviction data to develop counseling strategies to help renters maintain their housing and avoid evictions. Teach counselors to give consumers more information about the true cost of living by incorporating both housing and transportation costs into measures of affordability.