hhs-2026-acf-ocs-eah-0027.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due Monday, August 24, 2026

Office of Community Services Division of Community Discretionary and Demonstration Programs

Affordable Housing and Supportive Services Demonstration Opportunity number: HHS-2026-ACF-OCS-EAH-0027

Contents

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Agency priorities 10

Program description 12

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 23

Find the application package 24

Get registered 25

Learn more 25

Step 3: Build Your Application 26

Application checklist 27

Application contents and format 29

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 43

Application review 44

Award notices 52

Step 5: Submit Your Application 53

Application submission and deadlines 54

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 56

Post-award requirements and administration 57

Contacts and Support 59

Before you begin 3

Appendix A 62

Contents 2

Before you begin If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registrations are active and up to date.

SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks)

You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Grants.gov registration (this can take several days)

You must have an active Grants.gov registration. Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Apply by the application due date

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, August 24, 2026.

To help you find what you need, this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard.

Before you begin 3 https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1:

Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Agency priorities 10

Program description 12

Basic information Administration for Children and Families (ACF)

Office of Community Services

Division of Community Discretionary and Demonstration Programs

Improving the housing stability, economic mobility, and well-being of eligible residents of affordable housing by expanding residential enrollment in support services.

Have questions?

See Contacts and Support.

Key facts

Opportunity name:

Affordable Housing and Supportive Services Demonstration

Opportunity number:

HHS-2026-ACF-OCS-

EAH-0027

Federal assistance listing:

93.647

NOFO version:

Original

Key dates

Application submission deadline:

August 24, 2026

Expected project start date:

September 30, 2026

See intergovernmental review for other submission processes that may apply to this NOFO.

Summary In fiscal year (FY) 2026, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS) will award approximately $2 million in Affordable Housing and Support Services Demonstration (AHSSD). This award is designated for Community Action Agencies (CAAs) and tribes that were funded directly by the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) in FY2025. These agencies must specifically own affordable housing units and provide additional social services to Americans and eligible residents who live in affordable housing units.

The purpose of the AHSSD is to test and evaluate how boosting support services for eligible residents of affordable housing units may improve housing stability, economic mobility, and well-being. AHSSD does this by coordinating public and private assistance programs aimed at preventing and reducing dependency among this specific population. The range of services is broad, including educational opportunities for adults and teens, early childhood education, older adult care, mental health and substance abuse, and other services that support self-sufficiency.

Recipients will use funding to:

• Help directly provide specific support services.

• Make internal referrals to assistance programs.

• Make external referrals to programming offered through other agencies, including employment and training services.

• Provide either case management or human-services coordination.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5

Funding details Type: Cooperative agreement

Expected total program funding: $2,100,000

Total expected awards: 7

Minimum award amount (award floor): $150,000

Maximum award amount (award ceiling): $300,000

This is full funding. We plan to fund a two-year project and budget period.

Awards made under this funding opportunity are subject to federal funds availability.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6

Eligibility Eligible applicants Eligible applicants are CAAs and tribes that were funded directly by the CSBG in FY 2025 (see Appendix A). These are agencies that own affordable housing units and provide support services to affordable housing residents. CAAs and tribes funded directly by CSBG, by nature of this funding support, work to provide health and social services to their communities.

Other eligibility criteria Individuals (including sole proprietorships), federal entities, and foreign entities are not eligible to apply.

Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards under this funding opportunity.

Disqualifying factors We will review your application to make sure it meets these responsiveness requirements.

We won’t consider an application that:

• Requests funding above the award ceiling.

• Is submitted after the deadline.

• Is from an individual (including a sole proprietorship), a federal entity, or a foreign entity.

• Is received in paper format that didn’t have a previously approved exemption from ACF.

• Is submitted from an organization other than a CAA or tribe that was funded directly from CSBG in FY 2025 (see list in Appendix A).

• Does not include Evidence of Property Ownership and Evidence of Affordable Housing Units, referenced in the Additional eligibility documentation section.

Application limits If you submit the same application more than once under this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), we will only acknowledge the last on-time submission.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7

Cost sharing This program requires you to contribute 10% of the project’s total cost.

You can calculate this cost-sharing requirement in two ways:

Method 1: Start with the federal share.

Calculation: Divide the federal share by 9.

For example: $300,000 / 9 = $33,333.

Method 2: Start with the total project cost.

Calculation: Multiply the total project cost by 10%.

For example: $333,333 x 10% = $33,333.

Types of cost sharing You can meet your match requirement through any combination of:

• Cash contributed by your organization, partners, or other third parties.

• In-kind (non-cash) contributions from partners or other third parties.

Cost-sharing commitments If awarded, you must provide the amount of cost-sharing funds you promised, even if you promised more than the required minimum. We put these commitments in the Notice of Award.

If you don’t provide your promised amount, we may decrease the amount of funding we give you or use other enforcement actions.

You’ll have to include your cost-sharing funds when you fill out your federal financial reports.

Cost-sharing waiver We waive cost sharing up to $199,999 for awards to the governments of American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands (except for the consolidated awards under 45 CFR part 97). You must meet any amount of cost sharing over $199,999. See 48 U.S.C. 1469a(d) Congressional declaration of policy respecting “Insular Areas.”

Post-award requirements

Before you apply, make sure you understand the requirements that come with an award.

See Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award for information on regulations that apply, reporting, and more.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-97 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:48%20section:1469a%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title48-section1469a)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:48%20section:1469a%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title48-section1469a)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true

Statutory authority This program is funded under the authority of section 1110 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 1310 .

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:42%20section:1310%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section1310)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true

Agency priorities Required alignment with ACF vision, mission, values, and strategic priorities The recipient of this award must implement any funds awarded under this NOFO to effectuate program goals or agency priorities in accordance with ACF’s vision, mission, values, priorities, and guiding principles when authorized. Funded activities must advance ACF’s vision of resilient, safe, healthy, and economically secure children, youth, families, and communities, and support ACF’s mission to foster health and well-being through effective, accountable, and compassionate human services when awarded in any programs that authorize these priorities.

Consistent with ACF’s values, in carrying out any project that is funded under this NOFO, the recipient is required to adhere to the following principle:

1. Program Integrity and Fiscal Stewardship: Administer funds in accordance with all applicable federal statutes, regulations, and award conditions; maintain strong internal controls; and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.

The recipient is also required to adhere to the following principles when consistent with the authority and scope of the award and its activities:

2. Evidence-Based and Outcome-Focused Practices: Design and deliver services using evidence-based or evidence-informed approaches, establish measurable performance goals, and use data to monitor outcomes and drive continuous improvement.

3. Partnership and Local Leadership: Coordinate with state, tribal, territorial, local, and community partners, as appropriate, and tailor services to meet community-identified needs while respecting local decision-making authority.

In addition, in keeping with ACF’s priorities, the recipient must administer any project that is awarded under this NOFO in accordance with the following objectives when consistent with the scope of the award and its activities in programs that are authorized to advance them:

4. Family Stability and Child Well-Being: Strengthen families, promote safe and stable home environments, and improve outcomes for children and youth through prevention-focused and developmentally appropriate services.

5. Work, Self-Sufficiency, and Economic Mobility: Support pathways to employment, job retention, and economic independence for individuals and

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10 https://acf.gov/about/acf-vision-mission-values families, including through workforce development, education, and supportive services.

6. High-Quality Early Care and Learning: Where applicable, invest in high-quality early childhood programs that support school readiness, healthy development, and long-term success.

The recipient must demonstrate ongoing compliance with these values and priorities, in all programs that are authorized to advance them, through program design, implementation, reporting, and evaluation. Failure to meaningfully align funded activities with the applicable requirements may result in corrective action, additional reporting requirements, or other enforcement actions consistent with federal grant regulations found at 2 CFR Part 200 and the terms and conditions of this award.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11

Program description Purpose The purpose of the AHSSD is to test the outcomes of providing additional support services to eligible residents of affordable housing in improving housing stability, economic mobility, and well-being.

As housing instability relates to poor health, economic hardship, and family stress, the services supported through AHSSD aim to address these risks. Residents who receive support services through this program may find it easier to maintain stable housing, achieve greater financial security, and benefit from physical and behavioral health care.

Children in these households may enjoy improved developmental outcomes and greater school stability. Parents may report stronger parenting skills and reduced chronic stress. The affordable housing properties themselves may become more stable, better-managed communities — contributing to home environments that may improve the wellbeing of individuals and families.

AHSSD does this by enrolling eligible residents of affordable housing in support services that address homelessness, housing instability, and poverty.

Recipients use AHSSD funds to carry out three areas of activity:

1. Expanding supportive support services for eligible residents of affordable housing.

2. Identifying gaps in services.

3. Participating in a program model federal evaluation.

Through these activities, recipients coordinate and deliver a range of support services to eligible residents of affordable housing. This includes educational opportunities for children and adults, child care and pre-school services, older adult care, mental health and addiction services, and other community supports.

Recipients will partner with OCS to collect data that evaluates program execution and outcomes.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12

Program goals: Outcomes and performance measures In addition to providing services, the goal of AHSSD includes assessing the outcomes among previously mentioned affordable housing residents. Recipients will identify and narrow support service gaps, and collect data and report outcomes based on the needs of affordable housing residents.

Through this effort, the AHSSD provides an opportunity to learn more about how recipients use funds to:

• Leverage Services: How award recipients use increased funding to leverage currently established service infrastructure within affordable housing units.

• Increase Accessibility: How boosting services for eligible affordable housing residents may improve housing stability, economic mobility, and their well-being.

• Streamline Processes: How a single organization that administers both affordable housing and services can streamline processes.

Services may either be provided directly, or beneficiaries may enroll in services through case management and coordination. Support services may include:

• Employment and training services.

• Educational opportunities for youths and adults.

• Either afterschool or summer programs for children and teens.

• Providing early child care education programs.

• Providing referrals to Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

• Older adult care services.

• Mental health.

• Alcohol and addiction services.

• Services for individuals with disabilities.

• Self-sufficiency resources.

• Housing counseling.

• Financial literacy training.

• Transportation services for residents.

• Referrals and connections to resources to help meet concrete needs.

• Health care services.

Award recipients will identify the intended outcomes of their project based on the needs of affordable housing residents. ACF is also interested in projects that address

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13 the needs of households with extremely low incomes or households that were formerly homeless before moving into the property served, because these households may face significant barriers to housing stability, economic mobility, and well-being. These short-term individual and family outcomes can include, but are not limited to, those listed below.

Individual and family outcomes Stability outcomes

• Residents are better able to afford and maintain housing, including paying rent consistently and reducing the share of household income spent on housing. These outcomes can be achieved by increasing household incomes, receiving temporary assistance for rent payments, and improving household budgeting strategies.

• Residents experience more stable housing with fewer housing crises, evictions, and involuntary moves, and are less likely to need emergency homelessness services. Residents can succeed by working closely with case managers and property managers to manage household budgets, gain rental assistance, and resolve conflicts before they escalate.

• Residents feel more settled in their homes, with improved knowledge of their rights and responsibilities, improved landlord relationships, and greater satisfaction with their home and neighborhood. This can be achieved through tenant education workshops, mediation support, and case managers who help residents understand and advocate for themselves.

Economic mobility outcomes

• Residents build the skills and credentials needed to enter or advance in the workforce. This includes completing education and training programs, developing job readiness skills, and gaining knowledge of career pathways and labor market opportunities. These outcomes can be achieved by boosting enrollment of residents in adult education, vocational training, GED programs, and job readiness workshops available through community partners.

• Residents achieve greater financial stability, with increased household income through employment that offers good benefits, improved financial management skills, reduced debt, and less reliance on emergency financial assistance and Federal public benefit programs. Residents can succeed by participating in financial literacy coaching, and employment support services that help them increase income while managing expenses more effectively.

• Residents have greater access to services that support self-sufficiency and economic opportunities, including improved transportation and child care services, and lower chronic economic stress—helping these citizens become more

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14 self-sufficient. These outcomes may be achieved by providing transportation assistance, subsidized child care, and case management supports.

Well-being outcomes

• More residents enrolled in physical and mental health care plans, including preventive and specialty care, mental health services, and substance use treatment. These outcomes can be achieved by helping residents apply for health insurance, gain behavioral health services, and receive care coordination that helps them follow through on treatment.

• Residents experience improved quality of life, including older adults aging in place with greater independence, individuals with disabilities more fully integrated into their communities, and families with improved food and transportation options. This can be achieved by enrolling more residents in-home support services, disability and aging services, nutrition programs, and transportation resources.

• Children and families are healthier and stronger, with enhanced parenting skills and parent-child relationships, improved child development outcomes, including school readiness. These outcomes can be achieved through parenting education, early childhood screenings and referrals, and family support services that strengthen caregiver capacity and connect young children to pre-school opportunities.

Desired housing community outcomes Additionally, award recipients may consider how their short-term outcomes and any later program activities may support these outcomes:

• Affordable housing properties operating more effectively and sustainably, with lower vacancy and turnover rates, more consistent rent collection, reduced crisis intervention demands on staff, and better-maintained physical conditions. This strengthens the financial case for investment in service-enriched housing. These outcomes can be achieved as residents stabilize financially and emotionally, reducing future demands on property management and demonstrating to lenders and investors the operational advantages of properties with on-site or coordinated supportive services.

• Properties contributing to stronger communities, with greater resident participation in governance, stronger partnerships between property managers and support service providers, and reduced calls for emergency police and medical services. This can be achieved by fostering resident leadership through tenant associations, building formal coordination between property management and social service providers, and creating environments where residents become invested in their neighbors’ well-being.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15

• The surrounding community benefits from lower emergency shelter use, hospital emergency rooms, transitional housing, greater school stability for children, more civic engagement, and (over time) reduced neighborhood poverty concentration.

AHSSD implementation of ACF priorities Promoting work and self-sufficiency AHSSD supports ACF’s priority of promoting work and self-sufficiency by helping residents of affordable housing access services that support employment, job retention, and economic independence. By connecting eligible residents to practical services that address barriers to employment and economic mobility, AHSSD can help families move toward greater self-sufficiency, reduce reliance on emergency assistance, and strengthen their ability to maintain stable housing.

Promoting quality early learning environments and improved child outcomes AHSSD supports ACF’s priority of promoting quality early learning environments and improved child outcomes by helping families in affordable housing access the support services that strengthen children’s stability, health, and development. Through AHSSD, recipients may expand or coordinate services such as early childhood education opportunities for children ages 0 to 5, referrals to Head Start and Early Head Start, afterschool and summer programs, health care, behavioral health supports, transportation, and other concrete resources that help families maintain stable homes.

A Home for Every Child OCS’ work supports the ACF objective of making sure there’s a home for every child by relieving the factors that contribute to family breakdown and child-welfare interventions. A Home for Every Child is a national ACF initiative aimed at bringing the ratio of the number of foster homes to the number of children in the foster care system to greater than 1:1. By boosting enrollment in support service programs for residents of affordable housing, AHHSD may reduce the need for child welfare and foster-care interventions.

• AHSSD supports this objective by supporting housing stability and maintaining residency in safe homes. This reduces the need for foster care through prevention and faster paths to more permanent housing.

• AHSSD supports stable, nurturing home environments that reduce risks most likely to bring families into the child welfare system.

• By helping families in affordable housing, AHSSD addresses housing instability, economic stress, untreated mental health and substance use conditions, and weakened parenting capacity that most commonly precede child welfare

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 16 https://acf.gov/about/acf-vision-mission-values interventions. Families who enjoy stable housing may achieve greater financial security and develop stronger parenting skills. Because of this, they may be less likely to experience the crises that lead to child removal, keeping children in safe homes and out of foster care.

Major activities AHSSD recipients must implement projects that address each of the following three areas of activity:

1. Expanding support services for low-income residents of affordable housing who are eligible residents.

Award recipients must provide either A or B or a combination of A and B below:

A. Provide comprehensive case management services that enroll residents with community providers of any support service listed in section B.

B. Broaden delivery of two or more of the following support services:

◦ Employment and training services.

◦ Educational opportunities for youths and adults.

◦ Afterschool and/or summer programs for children and teens.

◦ Direct provision of early childhood education programs/opportunities for young children ages 0 to 5 or connections to Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

◦ Older adult care services.

◦ Mental health.

◦ Alcohol and addiction services.

◦ Services for individuals with disabilities.

◦ Self-sufficiency resources.

◦ Housing counseling.

◦ Financial literacy training.

◦ Transportation services for residents.

◦ Referrals and connections to resources to help meet concrete needs.

◦ Health care services.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 17

ACF defines low income, for purposes of this award, as either of the following definitions:

1. An eligible resident whose household income level does not exceed 200% of the official poverty guidelines, as found in the most recent revision of the HHS Poverty Guidelines published by HHS.

OR

2. An eligible resident whose household income does not exceed 60% of the area median income (AMI), as calculated annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

ACF defines extremely low income for the purpose of determining bonus points as:

• Very low-income families whose incomes are the greater of the Poverty Guidelines as published and periodically updated by the Department of Health and Human Services or the 30 percent income limits calculated by HUD.

2. Identifying gaps in service provision and improving access to services

Award recipients must address any existing gaps in providing support services among low-income eligible residents, and boost enrollment in these programs. To increase the caseload, the award recipient must intentionally include or identify a plan that gives a voice to eligible residents and community members, while developing, implementing, and evaluating AHSSD.

3. Actively supporting the federal evaluation

Award recipients must work closely with ACF to guide an evaluation of this federal demonstration program. The federal evaluation will include gathering data from all relevant parties through methods such as surveys, small focus groups, site visits, and qualitative interviews. Award recipients are expected to provide incentives to participants in the form of gift cards (including activation fees, if applicable) for participating in surveys, focus groups, and other data gathering activities in support of the evaluation.

Recipients will fully and actively support the federal evaluation and work with, and encourage, their partner organizations to do the same. Award recipients must have experience collecting, organizing, and managing data, which includes evidence of data and information management software/practices and best practices around data integrity.

NOTE: Consistent with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, (44 U.S.C.

3501-3521), under this NOFO, OCS will not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information covered by such Act, unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. ACF

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 18 https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il.html https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il.html https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines/prior-hhs-poverty-guidelines-federal-register-references/2026-poverty-guidelines-computations https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il.html%22%20/l%20%22year2026 will obtain OMB approval under PRA prior to collecting or requesting the collection of any information from more than nine individuals or entities.

Cooperative agreement—description of ACF’s involvement Through this cooperative agreement, OCS will maintain substantial involvement, working alongside recipients as an active partner throughout project implementation.

OCS program involvement will include the following:

• Providing program guidance and input as needed.

• Approving all work plans and schedules.

• Reviewing and providing feedback on the activities, documentation, procedures, measures, and tools established and carried out to reach the cooperative agreement’s goals throughout the time of the initiative.

• Reviewing and providing feedback on activities, procedures, tools, measures, products, and written materials before they are shared externally.

• Providing support for the federal evaluation contractor and recipients in meeting federal evaluation requirements.

• Participating in results presentation in publications.

Funding policies and limitations Changes in HHS regulations As of October 1, 2025, HHS adopted 2 CFR 200, with some exceptions included in 2 CFR 300. These regulations replace those in 45 CFR 75.

General policies

• We will only make awards if this program receives funding. If Congress appropriates funds for this purpose, we will move forward with the review and award process.

• Support beyond the first budget period will depend on:

◦ Appropriation of funds.

◦ Satisfactory progress in meeting your project’s objectives.

◦ A decision that continued funding is in the government’s best interest.

• If we receive more funding for this program, we will consider:

◦ Funding more applicants.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 19 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-III/part-300

◦ Extending the period of performance.

◦ Awarding supplemental funding.

• To the extent permitted by law, including any relevant court orders, you may not use funds from this NOFO for any diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI and DEIA) activities. This includes:

◦ DEI- or DEIA-related research.

◦ Activities that discriminate or show preference based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or other protected traits.

◦ Any efforts that promote a “discriminatory equity ideology.”

• To the extent permitted by law, including any relevant court orders, ACF will also not allow funds awarded under this NOFO to support any services or activities that inculcate or promote gender ideology.

For guidance on other types of costs that we restrict or do not allow, see General Provisions for Selected Items of Costs of the Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR part 200.

Eligible Residents: For purposes of this NOFO, eligible residents must be lawfully present in the United States. Individuals lawfully present in the United States include:

• U.S. Citizens.

• Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder).

• Asylee.

• Refugee.

• Paroled into the United States.

• Granted an employment authorization document, also called a work permit or I-766.

• Individual with Non-immigrant Status including workers visas (such as H1, H-2A, H-2B), student visas, U-visa, T-visa, and other visas.

• Deferred Action Status.

• Cuban/Haitian entrant.

• Conditional entrant granted before 1980.

• Battered spouse, child, or parent.

• Victim of trafficking and their spouse, child, sibling, or parent.

• Special Immigrant Visa holders from Iraq or Afghanistan.

• Granted Withholding of Deportation or Withholding of Removal, under the immigration laws or under the Convention against Torture.

• Violence Against Women Act Self-Petitioners.

• Member of a federally recognized Indian tribe or American Indian born in Canada.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 20 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72

• Citizens of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau who are living in one of the U.S. states or territories (referred to as Compact of Free Association, or COFA migrants).

• Lawful Temporary Resident.

• Temporary Protected Status.

• Deferred Enforced Departure.

• Special Immigrant Juvenile Classification.

• Family Unity beneficiary, including those who are under section 1504 of the Legal Immigration and Family Equity Act Amendments.

If there are other immigration statuses or classifications that an applicant believes should be considered lawfully present, please list them in your application or if after award, to your ACF program officer.

Program-specific limitations and policies We do not allow the following costs under this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO):

• Construction.

• Purchase of real property.

• Major renovation.

• Pre-award.

• Funds awarded under this NOFO may not be used to fund abortion-on-demand or abortion-related services, including referral to other agencies for abortion-on-demand or abortion-related services.

• Costs for any services provided for those who do not meet the definition of eligible resident.

Indirect costs Indirect costs are those shared across multiple projects and not easily separated.

To charge indirect costs you can select one of two methods:

Method 1 — Approved rate. If you currently have an indirect cost rate approved by your cognizant federal agency, you may use that rate.

Method 2 — De minimis rate. If you do not have a negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to charge a de minimis rate (see 2 CFR 200.414(f)). This rate may be up to 15% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). See the definition of MTDC (2 CFR 200.1). You can use this rate indefinitely.

You may not charge costs included in your indirect cost pool as direct costs.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 21 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.414#p-200.414(f) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC))

Subawards As the prime recipient, you must maintain a substantive role in the project. This means that you conduct funded activities and provide services necessary and integral to completing the project.

Monitoring your subrecipient’s activities alone as described in 2 CFR 200.332 is not a substantive role.

We do not fund awards where your role is primarily a conduit for passing funds to other organizations unless that arrangement is authorized by statute.

All subrecipients must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) through the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

Subrecipients must meet the eligibility requirements of this NOFO.

Salary rate limitation The salary rate limitation in the current appropriations act applies to this program. You may not use awarded funds to pay a salary at a higher rate than the rate for Executive Level II.

For the Executive Level II salary, please see the Office of Personnel Management information on executive and senior level employee pay.

The salary limitation reflects a person’s base salary (including any portion of the salary that is paid with indirect costs). It does not include fringe benefits or any income the person is allowed to earn outside of the duties of the applicant organization.

This salary limitation also applies to subawards, contracts, and subcontracts under an ACF grant or cooperative agreement.

Program income If you earn any money from your award-supported project activities (known as program income), you must use it for the purposes and under the conditions of the award. Find more about program income at 2 CFR 200.307.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 22 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.332 https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#200.307

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Find the application package 24

Get registered 25

Learn more 25

Find the application package The application package has all the forms you need to apply. You can find it at this NOFO’s Grants.gov opportunity page. Then select the Package tab.

We recommend that you select the Subscribe button from the View Grant Opportunity page for this NOFO to get updates.

If you can’t use Grants.gov to download application materials or have other technical difficulties, including issues with application submission, contact Grants.gov for assistance.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 24 https://www.grants.gov/support

Get registered SAM.gov You must have an active account with SAM.gov to apply. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.

To register:

• Go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and select Get Started. From the same page, you can also select the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register.

• You must agree to the financial assistance general certifications and representations [PDF] specifically. Those for contracts are different.

When you register, you will also receive your required Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

Once you register:

• You will have to maintain your registration throughout the life of any award.

• If your organization has multiple UEIs, use the one associated with your physical location.

Grants.gov You must also have an active account with Grants.gov. You can see step-by-step instructions at the Grants.gov Quick Start Guide for Applicants.

Need help? See Contacts and Support.

Learn more Visit Applying for an ACF Grant Award on the ACF Grants page.

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 25 https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/how-apply-grant

Step 3:

Build Your Application

In this step

Application checklist 27

Application contents and format 29

Application checklist Make sure that you have everything you need to apply. You will find the forms in Grants.gov.

File one: Narratives Use the Project Narrative Attachment form.

Component Included in page limit?

Table of contents Yes

Project summary Yes

Project narrative Yes

Line-item budget and budget narrative Yes

File two: Attachments Insert each in a single Other Attachments form.

Component Included in page limit?

ACF priorities alignment attestation No

Indirect cost agreement Yes

Legal proof of nonprofit status Yes

Additional eligibility documentation No

Organizational capacity supporting information (including organization chart)

Yes

Third-party agreements Yes

Letters of support Yes

Step 3: Build Your Application 27

Standard forms Use each required form in Grants.gov.

Component Included in page limit?

Project Abstract Summary No

Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) No

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) No

Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B) No

Key Contacts No

Grants.gov Lobbying form No

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) No

Project/Performance Site Location(s) (SF-P/PSL) No

Step 3: Build Your Application 28

Application contents and format You will submit two files plus the standard forms in the application package.

Your organization’s authorized official must certify your application.

See intergovernmental review to find out if you need to make any other submissions.

Required format Page limit for file one and file two combined: 75 pages.

File format: Portable Document Format (PDF) is recommended, but not required. ACF supports the following file formats when you attach files to the Project Narrative Attachment form and the Other Attachments form:

Accepted file formats

• Adobe PDF (.pdf)

• Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)

• Microsoft Excel (.xls or .xlsx)

• Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt)

• Image formats (.JPG, .GIF, .TIFF, or .BMP only)

Document formats Paper size: 8 ½ inches x 11 inches Margins: 1 inch all around Language: English

If possible, include page numbers.

Do not include external links to information you want reviewers to assess because reviewers will score the application solely on information provided in the application.

Fonts Font: Times New Roman Color: Black Size: 12-point font

Footnotes and text in tables and graphics may be 10-point.

Step 3: Build Your Application 29

Spacing Table of contents: Must be single-spaced Project summary: Must be single-spaced Project narrative: Must be double-spaced Line-item budget and budget narrative: Can be single-spaced Attachments: Can be single-spaced Tables and footnotes throughout: Can be single-spaced

See disqualifying factors to understand what may disqualify your application from consideration.

File one: Narratives To submit file one, you will use the Project Narrative Attachment form found in the Grants.gov application package for this NOFO.

This file includes:

• Table of contents.

• Project summary, one page.

• Project narrative.

• Line-item budget and budget narrative.

Table of contents At the beginning of file one, insert a table of contents that guides a reader through the contents of both files in your application. If possible, include links to the relevant content in file one.

Project summary Provide a one-page summary of the project description. Do not cross-reference to other parts of your application. The summary must include:

• At the top, the project title, applicant name, address, phone numbers, email addresses, and any website URL.

• A brief description of the project, including the needs and population you will address, your proposed services or research questions.

Project narrative The project narrative is where you address all your proposed activities. It is a critical section of your application, which we evaluate using merit review criteria and rank based on application scores.

Step 3: Build Your Application 30

Remember that substance and measurable outcomes are more important than length.

We are particularly interested in project narratives that convey strategies for achieving intended performance.

In it, you must:

• Explain how the project will meet the purpose of the NOFO, as described in the program description section.

• Make sure your narrative is clear, concise, and complete.

• Use cross-referencing rather than repetition.

• Be sure to include any required supporting documents noted. You generally provide these in your attachments.

• Use the headings and order of the sections that follow.

Purpose and need

Geographic location

Provide the precise physical location of your project and boundaries of the area you will serve. If you will include any subrecipients in your project that will serve specific geographic areas include their locations as well.

Provide the precise physical location(s) of the affordable housing communities to be served by the program, not the location of the recipient organization.

Need for assistance

Identify the problems you plan to solve. These problems could be physical, economic, social, financial, institutional, etc. To do so:

• Demonstrate the need, including the nature and scope of the problem.

• Provide, as appropriate, supporting documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials, in your attachments.

• Include any relevant data based on planning studies or needs assessments. You may refer to them in the endnotes or footnotes of your application.

• Use demographic data and participant or beneficiary information where you can.

Objectives

State your main objectives and any sub-objectives. Address how the objectives stated relate to the overall purpose of this program and describe how you will achieve the objectives.

Step 3: Build Your Application 31

Response

Approach

Outline your action plan. Describe the scope of your proposed project and describe in detail how you will accomplish it. Account for all functions or activities you identify in your application.

Explain potential obstacles and challenges to accomplishing your project goals. Explain the strategies you will use to address them.

Applicants must demonstrate a thorough plan for value-added activities for the following:

Strengthening and expanding case management and support services.

Applicants must describe the service delivery plan for strengthening and expanding case management and support services. Provide details on how the plan will incorporate the following approaches, as described in the Major activities section:

A. Comprehensive case management services.

B. Strengthening and expanding at least two support services.

C. A combination of approach A and B.

Include information related to conducting baseline assessments of individual residents and planning processes to identify specific outcome measures for tracking client progress.

Identify specific outcome measures for tracking client progress, program effectiveness, and service quality.

Identifying gaps and increasing access to services.

Applicants must describe their plan to identify gaps in services and provide details about how their approach to service delivery addresses these gaps. Include information to describe program sustainability and community capacity building components.

Describe how the proposed project will include participant voices throughout the implementation of the program.

Supporting housing stability, economic mobility and well-being.

Applicants must identify which services will be strengthened and expanded from the service areas listed in the Major activities section of the Program description.

Describe how the project’s approach to strengthening or expanding these services will promote housing stability, economic mobility, and well-being for the affordable housing residents.

Step 3: Build Your Application 32

Include details to demonstrate services will be provided at a duration, and level of quality necessary to meet the needs of the residents and achieve the outcomes identified in the application.

Project Implementation

The plan to implement the project must address all activities needed for successful completion and describe how their plans will work to achieve the program outcomes listed in Program Goals: Outcomes and Performance Measures of the Program description.

Supporting AHSSD Priorities

Under this funding opportunity announcement, AHSSD will award bonus points for projects that demonstrate serving extremely low-income or formerly homeless households. Applications must describe how they will identify and serve a majority of households that have extremely low incomes or were formerly homeless before moving into the property and include specific approaches to address their housing stability, economic mobility, and well-being needs.

Project timeline and milestones

Provide a timeline for your project that includes milestones. To do so:

• Organize the information by task and subtask, showing related milestones.

• Provide monthly or quarterly quantitative projections for tasks you plan to complete and by when. For example, provide the number of people you plan to serve or the number of a certain activity you plan to complete by a specific date.

• Provide target dates for activities you can’t quantify.

• Cover the full period of performance in your timeline.

Logic model

You must submit a logic model for designing, managing, and evaluating the project. A logic model is a diagram that:

• Presents how inputs drive activities to produce outputs, outcomes, and the ultimate goals of the proposed project.

• Explains the links among project elements.

• Targets the identified objectives and goals of the project.

While there are many versions of logic models, for the purposes of this funding opportunity, the logic model may include the connections between:

• Inputs such as additional resources, organizational profile, collaborative partners, key staff, and budget.

• Target population, such as the individuals to be served or identified needs.

Step 3: Build Your Application 33

• Activities, mechanisms, and processes such as evidence-based practices, best practices, approach, key intervention and evaluation components, and continuous quality improvement efforts.

• Outputs, which include the immediate and direct results of program activities.

• Outcomes, which include the short- and long-term results you expect the project to achieve. These are typically described as changes in people or systems.

• Project goals, such as overarching objectives and reasons for proposing the project.

Impact

Project performance evaluation plan

Describe how you will evaluate your project’s performance and how it will contribute to continuous quality improvement. This plan must describe:

• How you will monitor ongoing activities and progress toward the project’s goals and objectives.

• The inputs, key activities, and expected outcomes of the funded activities. Inputs might include your collaborative partners, key staff, budget, service processes, or other resources.

• How you will measure the inputs, activities, and outcomes.

• How you will use the resulting information to improve your funded activities.

• Any processes that support overall data quality.

• The organizational systems and processes you will use to track performance outcomes.

• How your organization will collect and manage data in a way that allows for accurate and timely reporting of performance outcomes. This might include assigned skilled staff, data management software, and data integrity.

• Any potential obstacles to implementing the project performance evaluation and how you will address them.

• A timeline for how you will review information from the performance evaluation and apply it to your ongoing project.

• Describe your organization’s capabilities to track service delivery and report unduplicated data at the participant level for eligible residents receiving AHSSD services, including:

◦ Services provided by the organization, broken…