MissingMiddleHousingSupply.6900-N-29N.pdf

FON

FR-6900-N-29N

Applications Due 02/25/2025

Organization Name Title

Research on Financing and Other Non-Zoning Barriers to Increasing Missing Middle Housing Supply

Table of Contents

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

I. BASIC INFORMATION

A. Summary

B. Agency Contact(s)

II. ELIGIBILITY

A. Eligible Applicants

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. Purpose

B. Goals and Objectives

C. Authority

D. Unallowable Costs

E. Indirect Costs

F. Program History

G. Other Information

IV. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

A. Standard Forms, Assurances, and Certifications

B. Budget

C. Narratives and Other Attachments

D. Other Application Content

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Threshold Review

B. Merit Review

C. Risk Review

D. Selection Process

E. Award Notices

VI. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

A. Deadlines

B. Submission Methods

C. Other Submissions

D. False Statements

VII. POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

A. Administrative, National and Departmental Policy Requirements, and General Terms and Conditions

B. Environmental Requirements

C. Remedies for Noncompliance

D. Reporting

VIII. CONTACT AND SUPPORT

A. Agency Contact

B. Grants.gov

C. SAM.gov

D. Debriefing

E. Applicant Experience Survey

F. Other Online Resources

APPENDIX

Appendix I. HUD Strategic Goals

Appendix II. Definitions

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, register in the appropriate systems now and review the application package. If you are already registered, make sure your registration is active and up-to-date.

SAM.gov Registration You must have an active and up-to-date account with SAM.gov, at the time of application and throughout the life of any award.

To register, go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and click Get Started. From the same page, you can also click on the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register.

It can take several weeks to register in SAM.gov, so please get started now if you are planning to apply. SAM.gov also provides each organization with a unique entity identifier (UEI). A valid UEI is required to apply for funding.

Grants.gov Registration You must have an active Grants.gov registration. This requires a Login.gov registration as well.

See step-by-step instructions at the Grants .gov Quick Start Guide for Applicants. You must apply for funding using Grants.gov, unless HUD has approved your waiver request.

See Section VI.B. Submission Methods.

Find the Application Package Use the Grants Search at Grants.gov and search for opportunity number FR-6900-N-29N . The application package has all the online forms you need to apply. You also need to access the Download Instructions link and review the content before you apply.

If you have other technical difficulties using Grants.gov, access the Support Center on Grants.gov for assistance.

To get updates on changes to this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), click Subscribe from the View Grant Opportunity page for this NOFO on Grants.gov.

Application Deadline Applications are due by 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time on 02/25/2025.

HUD Listserv

If you are interested in email notices about upcoming funding opportunities, subscribe to HUD’s Funding Opportunities listserv.

Note: 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.

https://sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/ https://login.gov https://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://grants.gov/ https://grants.gov/ https://Grants.gov https://grants.gov/ https://grants.gov/ https://www.hud.gov/subscribe/signup?listname=HUD%20Funding%20Opportunities&list=HUD-FUNDING-OPPORTUNITIES-L https://www.hud.gov/subscribe/signup?listname=HUD%20Funding%20Opportunities&list=HUD-FUNDING-OPPORTUNITIES-L

I. BASIC INFORMATION

This NOFO solicits applications for Research on Financing and Other Non-Zoning Barriers to Increasing Missing Middle Housing Supply. Review the entire NOFO to understand the application requirements in full. HUD will not fund incomplete or ineligible applications.

A. Summary This NOFO announces the availability of up to $500,000 to fund research on financing and other non-zoning barriers to constructing Missing Middle Housing (MMH). Increasing the housing supply is key to overcoming the housing affordability crisis in the United States. MMH is housing that ranges in size from Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to duplexes, townhomes, and small-scale apartment buildings. MMH may be an effective tool to increase the supply of both market and affordable housing. However, it comprises only a small segment of the total housing stock.

MMH development involves different characteristics and processes compared to other more common housing types. This makes it challenging to build MMH to scale. More research is needed to understand the prevalence and impact of financing and other non-zoning barriers to MMH construction. Research funded under this NOFO is intended to help HUD, state and local governments, and private stakeholders by achieving the following NOFO Study Objectives:

• Identify significant financing and other non-zoning barriers to producing MMH. This includes the ways these barriers prohibit producing MMH and the effect of these barriers on producing new housing units.

• Locate successful strategies at the federal, state, and local levels to overcome identified barriers. These might include, but are not limited to, financing solutions, policy levers, and technical assistance.

• Recommend strategies that are feasible, cost-effective, evidence-based, and may increase MMH supply. Proposed strategies should be relevant across a range of housing market conditions and jurisdiction types.

Awards made under this NOFO will be cooperative agreements and, therefore, the awardee shall anticipate substantial involvement, as defined in Section III.A, by subject matter experts from the office of Policy Development & Research (PD&R).

This NOFO is intended to fund proposals to research financing and other non-zoning barriers to increasing MMH supply. Applications requesting funding for construction projects are ineligible and will not be considered.

1. NOFO Summary Federal Agency Name: United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

HUD Program Office: Policy Development and Research

Funding Opportunity Title: Research on Financing and Other Non-Zoning Barriers to Increasing Missing Middle Housing Supply

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: FR-6900-N-29N

Assistance Listing Number(s): 14.506

Paperwork Reduction Act Information: 2501-0044

Key Dates:

Due Date for Application Submission: 11:59:59 PM Eastern Time on 02/25/2025

Due Date for Intergovernmental Review: See Section VI.C.1.

Anticipated Award Date: 05/01/2025

2. Funding Details Type of Funding Instrument

CA (Cooperative Agreement) Available Funds Funding of approximately $500,000 is available through this NOFO.

Additional funds may become available for award. Use of these funds is subject to statutory constraints. All awards are subject to the selection process contained in this NOFO.

Number of Awards HUD expects to make approximately 1 awards from the funds available under this NOFO.

Period of Performance Estimated Project Start Date:

06/02/2025 Estimated Project End Date:

06/02/2027 Length of Project Periods:

Other

Length of Periods Explanation:

Applicants are invited to select a period of performance that aligns with their proposed project.

The minimum period of performance is 12 months and the maximum period of performance is 24 months. The period of performance should reflect the level of complexity and the proposed methodology.

B. Agency Contact(s) See Contact and Support section of this NOFO.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1#p-200.1(Federal%20award)

II. ELIGIBILITY

You are invited to apply if your organization is an eligible entity type and meets the funding conditions included in the NOFO. HUD will review applications from eligible applicants using the criteria in Section V of this NOFO.

A. Eligible Applicants

1. Eligible Entity Types:

06 (Public and State controlled institutions of higher education)

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

13 (Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education)

20 (Private institutions of higher education)

22 (For profit organizations other than small businesses)

23 (Small businesses)

Additional Information on Eligibility

Faith-based organizations may apply on the same basis as any other organization.

Individuals are ineligible applicants.

2. Restrictions

a. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements Affecting Eligibility You must comply with the current General Statutory and Regulatory Requirements Affecting Eligibility for HUD’s Competitive Programs. HUD will review your eligibility before issuing an award. As part of this review, HUD uses SAM.gov and Department of Treasury data.

b. Application Eligibility Your application is considered for funding if it satisfies the application review requirements in Section V. of this NOFO.

This NOFO is intended to fund research on financing and other non-zoning barriers to increasing MMH supply. Applications requesting funding for construction projects are ineligible and will not be considered.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching This Program does not require cost sharing or matching.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-24/part-5/appendix-Appendix%20A%20to%20Subpart%20A%20of%20Part%205 https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/cfo/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps/EligibilityRequirements https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/cfo/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps/EligibilityRequirements https://sam.gov https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/cfo/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps/EligibilityRequirements https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Cost%20sharing%20or%20matching)

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. Purpose Research funded under this NOFO is intended to help HUD and other stakeholders understand the financing and other non-zoning barriers to constructing MMH and how these barriers might be overcome at the federal, state, and/or local level to increase the supply of housing in the United States.

Awards made under this NOFO will be cooperative agreements and, therefore, the awardee should anticipate substantial involvement by subject matter experts within PD&R. Substantial involvement may include, for example:

• Feedback and final approval of the overall project management plan;

• Feedback and final approval of the research design, which may include review and comment on data collection protocols, data collection instruments, and analytic plans;

• Feedback and final approval of any written materials documenting research results; and

• Support in identifying available and relevant data assets and helping to facilitate access to select data assets, where feasible.

B. Goals and Objectives

1. Applicable Goals and Objectives from HUD’s Strategic Plan This NOFO supports HUD’s mission and HUD’s Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years (FY) 2022- 2026. The goals, objectives, and measures applicable to this NOFO are included in Appendix I.

These are in addition to increasing equity and improving customer experience - two overarching HUD priorities. Consider this information in your application and when tracking the success of your project, if selected for award. HUD will monitor compliance during the award performance period.

This NOFO seeks to advance HUD’s strategic goal (2A) of increasing the supply of housing by funding research to identify key barriers to the construction of MMH and determine effective strategies to remove these barriers across the United States.

2. Civil Rights and Equity Goals The Fair Housing Act requires HUD funding to create diverse neighborhoods, increase housing choice, reduce inequality, and eliminate discrimination. Executive Orders 13985 and 14091 direct HUD programs to reduce racial disparities. Your application must respond to these requirements in Section V.B.3 of this NOFO. and if you receive this award, you must track and report your progress towards these goals.

C. Authority This program is authorized by Sections 501 and 502 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 (12 U.S.C. § 1701z-1 and § 1701z-2) and funding is provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-42, approved March 9, 2024).

D. Unallowable Costs An organization may not evaluate or conduct research on itself. Funds may not be used for a doctoral dissertation research grant program. The recipient or sub-recipient must not earn or keep https://www.hud.gov/HUD-FY22-26-Strategic-Plan-Focus-Areas https://www.hud.gov/HUD-FY22-26-Strategic-Plan-Focus-Areas https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/02/22/2023-03779/further-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal a profit. HUD will determine whether the salary rates are reasonable, customary for the skill set provided and the tasks to be conducted, and in accordance with federal legal requirements.

Lease or rental of space for any activities is not an eligible use of administrative funds under this

NOFO.

E. Indirect Costs If you expect to charge indirect costs to the award, submit the Indirect Cost Information (HUD-

426) with your application.

F. Program History This is a new, one-time funding opportunity.

G. Other Information Eligible Activities

Eligible activities under this NOFO include all research and project management activities that contribute to meeting the Study Objectives in Section I.A. Eligible activities include:

• Research activities required to complete the funded research, such as:

o The articulation of research questions through the development of a research design, and data collection and analysis plan (RD/DCAP) o Outreach and communication efforts related to the implementation of the research project o Data collection and analysis o Development of written reports o The communication of findings to stakeholders o Engagement with subject matter experts on any aspect of the project as needed to enhance the research team’s knowledge in critical areas. This includes convening expert panels.

• Project management activities, including required project management tools (Opening Meeting, Management and Work Plan, Budget, Quality Control Plan, and Quarterly Progress Reports) and regular communication with HUD staff on all project deliverables, as required by HUD’s substantial involvement under the cooperative agreement and as defined in Section III.A of this NOFO.

• Required travel to perform the proposed research project.

Deliverables

HUD cooperative agreements require certain activities and deliverables as part of award and project management, as set forth in the cooperative agreement terms and conditions. These include the following:

1. An opening meeting with HUD staff to review the terms and conditions of the award.

2. A project kick-off meeting with HUD at which the awardee must present its proposed research project, introduce key personnel, and discuss the research questions, research design, and data collection and analysis plan (RD/DCAP) and project deliverables.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Indirect%20(facilities%20%26amp%3B%20administrative%20(F%26amp%3BA))%20costs)

3. A Management and Work Plan must be provided, which includes a detailed project schedule outlining specific tasks, including project events, milestones and deliverables, in narrative form. The applicant may use the Management and Work Plan in Rating Factor 2A as a draft Management and Work Plan. The Management and Work Plan is the document that will govern HUD’s monitoring of all project activities.

4. A Quality Control Plan ensures that expectations are communicated among the participants, and the work plan is met. Awardees may submit this as a stand-alone document or include it as an addendum in the Management and Work Plan.

5. The Research Design, and Data Collection and Analysis Plan (RD/DCAP) serves as a technical blueprint for all research activities that will be undertaken to address the research objectives.

6. Quarterly Progress Reports document award expenditures and summarize project activities accomplished during the reporting period. Documentation of work completed during the prior quarter should align with financial reporting submitted in the same quarter, including any invoices submitted to draw down funding from the award.

7. The Final Narrative Report provides the final breakdown of overall award spending over the course of the performance period.

8. A draft report and final report that document the project’s findings. The draft and final report shall be fully responsive to the research questions developed by the awardee in its NOFO application, and those research questions shall fully address the Study Objectives in Section I.A. of this NOFO.

9. Two final briefings on the study findings. The awardee shall conduct two final briefing presentations detailing the project findings. The first presentation is for HUD staff. The second presentation is for HUD staff, state and local governments, and private stakeholders. It is anticipated that one of these briefings will take place at HUD’s headquarters in Washington, DC. This shall be reflected in the applicant’s proposed budget.

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

Final work products must be well-written, adhering to plain language principles, and the final research report must be of publishable quality and conform to HUD’s requirements, including the PD&R Style Guide. All final work products must be compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 794d). HUD intends to publish the final report on our website at www.huduser.gov.

https://www.regulations.gov/accessibility https://www.regulations.gov/accessibility https://www.huduser.gov

IV. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

Applications must include three main elements: a) standard forms, assurances, and certifications;

b) budget; and c) narratives and other attachments. The content, forms, and format for each element are included in this section.

You may use this section as a checklist to ensure you submit a complete application.

If you don’t provide the required documents in the correct format, your application is incomplete.

Do not submit password protected or encrypted files.

Double spaced 12-point Times New Roman font on letter sized paper (8 1/2 x 11 inches) with at least 1-inch margins on all sides.

Other

The Ratings Factors Narrative has a maximum page length of 20 pages. See Section IV.C Narratives and Non-Form Attachments for attachments and page length requirements.

A. Standard Forms, Assurances, and Certifications You must properly complete and submit with your application the standard forms, assurances, and certifications identified below. You can find all forms in the application package or review them and their instructions at Grants.gov Forms. You can also read more about standard forms on HUD’s Funding Opportunities page.

Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement Notes/Description

Application for Federal Assistance

(SF-424)

Required with the application

Page limit: Not applicable File name: SF-424

Applicant and Recipient Assurances and Certifications

(HUD 424-B)

Required with the application

Page limit: Not applicable File name: HUD-424B

Applicant/Recipient Disclosure/Update Report (HUD 2880)

Required with the application and after award.

Page limit: Not applicable File name: HUD-2880

Certification Regarding Lobbying Required with the application

Page limit: Not applicable.

File name: Lobbying Certification form

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

(SF-LLL)

If applicable, required with the application

Page limit: Not applicable.

File name: SF-LLL

Element Submission Form Standard Forms, Assurances, and Certifications Upload using each required form.

Budget Use the required budget form.

Narratives and Other Attachments Insert each in the Attachments form.

https://www.grants.gov/forms https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/CFO/images/Standard-Application-Forms.pdf

Certification for a Drug-Free Workplace (HUD-50070)

Required with the application

Page limit: Not applicable.

File name: HUD-50070

Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B)

If applicable, required with the application

Page limit: Not applicable File name: SF-424B

Indirect Cost Rate Certification

(HUD-426)

If applicable, this document is required with the application and after award

Page limit: Not applicable File name: ICR Doc Form location: download instructions

B. Budget You must submit a budget with your application to support your project narrative.

At a minimum, your budget must indicate direct and any indirect costs.

C. Narratives and Other Attachments If applicable, you must upload narrative and other attachments in Grants.gov using the Attachments Form. When using the Attachments Form, you can upload PDF, Word or Excel formats.

Budget Form/Document Submission Requirement Notes/Description

Grant Application Detailed Budget Worksheet (HUD-

424-CBW)

Required with the application

Page limit: Not applicable File name: HUD-

424-CBW

Form location:

download instructions

Document Submission Requirement Notes/Description

Abstract Required with the application

Page limit: 1 page File name:

Abstract

Rating Factors Narrative Required with the application

See Section V.B.

Page limit: 20 pages File name: Rating Factors

Budget Narrative Required with the application

Page limit: 2 pages File name: Budget

Minority Serving Institutions Preference Points

– Documentation

If applicable, this document is required with the application

Page limit: 2 pages File name: MSI Doc https://grants.gov

As indicated in the table above, a complete application must include the following narratives and non-form attachments:

1. Abstract o A one-page summary of the proposed research project and the funding request in whole dollars, which is scored as part of Rating Factor 1.

2. Rating Factors Narrative o A statement addressing the rating factors described in Section V of this NOFO.

3. Budget Narrative o A two-page explanation detailing how the requested budget in the HUD-424-

CBW supports the proposed research project.

4. Resume Appendix o Resumes or biosketches for up to three key personnel, each not exceeding two pages.

o At a minimum, include a resume or biosketch for the proposed Principal

Investigator (PI) and Project Director.

5. Partnership Appendix o A list of entities with agreements to participate in the proposed project. Include a brief statement of each entity’s qualifications.

o Provide letters of support from partnering entities, including:

▪ Expression of support for the project.

▪ Willingness to collaborate.

▪ Description of their role and resources contributed to the project, if applicable.

Resume Appendix Required with the application

Page limit: 6 pages File name:

Resumes

Partnership Appendix Required with the application

Page limit: 10 pages File name:

Partnership

Advancing Racial Equity (ARE) Narrative Required with the application

Page limit: 2 pages File name: ARE Narrative

Experience Promoting Racial Equity (EPRE) Narrative

Required with the application

Page limit: 2 pages File Name: EPRE Narrative

Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Narrative

Required with the application

Page limit: 2 pages File name: AFFH Narrative o If no partnerships exist, state explicitly that the applicant is not partnering with other entities.

6. Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Letter of Commitment o Verification of MSI status or a letter from the MSI partner, expressing partnership and support for the project.

o Only required if seeking MSI preference points. For more information, refer to

Appendix II.1 of this NOFO.

7. Equity Narratives o Separate two-page narratives addressing the following topics:

▪ Advancing Racial Equity (ARE)

▪ Experience Promoting Racial Equity (EPRE)

▪ Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH)

D. Other Application Content Following selection of awardee(s), if the amount of the award being offered by HUD is lower than the amount requested and the applicant accepts this award, the applicant will need to provide a revision of the initial proposal, budget, budget narrative, and a brief description of what was changed within a specified period. HUD will complete its review of the proposed revisions and determine whether further information or conditions to the grant are necessary. If the requested information is not provided, HUD will not make an award and may select another eligible applicant.

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Threshold Review HUD reviews each application to make sure it meets the following threshold requirements. If you meet all threshold requirements, your application will advance to a merit review. If you fail to meet one or more threshold requirements, your application is not eligible for HUD funding.

1. Eligible Applicant You must meet the applicant eligibility criteria in this NOFO. HUD will not fund applications from ineligible applicants.

2. Resolution of Civil Rights Matters An application will not advance for merit review unless the application(s) resolves all outstanding civil rights matters before the application deadline.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(4) Current compliance with a consent order or consent decree;

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

(6) Dismissal of charges.

3. Timely Submission of Applications Late applications are not eligible for funding. See deadlines in Section VI of this NOFO.

4. Correct Funding Opportunity Number You must ensure that the Funding Opportunity Number in box 12 on your SF-424 matches the number associated with this NOFO. If the numbers do not match, your application is not eligible for HUD funding.

B. Merit Review HUD expects to evaluate and score your application using the following merit criteria and process. Merit reviewers evaluate and score all applications that pass the threshold review.

Merit reviewers may include Federal and non-Federal persons. Reviewers receive a copy of your application to evaluate and score each application separately.

Merit Review Summary

1. Rating Factors Your application must include a response to the following criteria.

Successful applications must meet a minimum score of 75 points overall, not including potential MSI preference points, to be considered for funding for this NOFO. The maximum number of points that can be awarded to any application is 102.

Rating Factors Details

Criterion Total number of points =

Rating Factor 1: Contribution of the Proposed Research 20 points Rating Factor 2: Soundness of Approach 50 points Rating Factor 3: Recent Organizational Experience and Organizational Capacity, and Project Staffing 30 points

Preference Points: Minority Serving Institution 2 points

Criterion Max points = 102

Rating Factor 1: Contribution of the Proposed Research 20 max points

The applicant shall describe how the proposed research project would contribute to research on financing and other non-zoning barriers preventing the construction of MMH to increase the housing supply in the United States. Specifically, the narrative shall:

• Propose research questions to be answered in the project that directly address the Study Objectives listed in Section I.A.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the existing body of research of MMH and challenges to its construction, including an understanding of existing research concerning financing and other non-zoning barriers.

• Discuss how the project generates new knowledge and explain why and how the results of this project will contribute to the Study Objectives in Section I.A.

To score full points on Rating Factor 1, the applicant shall include a one-page abstract as part of their application summarizing the proposed research project and the funding request in whole dollars.

Rating Factor 2: Soundness of Approach 50 max points

The Soundness of Approach rating factor has two subcomponents: a) Management and Work Plan, and b) Soundness of Overall Research Plan.

a) Management and Work Plan (15 points) The applicant shall describe the overarching plan that will be implemented to manage the work necessary to carry out the proposed research project with the allotted resources and within the proposed timeframe. The narrative shall present a clear, practical, and forward-looking plan to accomplish the proposed research project and shall include:

• A staffing chart showing reasonable allocation of resources for this project by presenting total person hours for each of the key personnel and other labor categories by project task.

• A description of the applicant’s approach to managing communication with HUD staff, including providing quarterly progress reports that include status updates, accomplishments, and budget tracking.

• A timeline in the form of a Gantt Chart detailing completion of the research effort with start dates, completion dates, and other major milestones for each task and subtask with reasonable durations.

• The identified tasks or subtasks with the greatest risks to the project schedule, budget, and quality. The applicant shall describe how these risks will be monitored and minimized, including the applicant’s approach to resolving issues or overcoming obstacles that may affect progress.

b) Soundness of Overall Research Plan (35 points)

The proposed research design shall be rated on methodological soundness, clarity, and feasibility. Specifically, the research design shall include and justify the selection of:

• The proposed research methodology which aligns with and responds to the applicant’s proposed research questions.

• The data that will be collected and analyzed in the applicant’s proposed research including a description of the data sources, the data analysis methods to be used, and how the data shall answer the applicant’s research questions and respond to the Study Objectives in Section I.A.

• Dissemination plans for presenting the findings in an impactful way to inform federal, state, and local government entities, as well as other key stakeholders including the private sector. These are in addition to the Deliverables (see Section III.G), which require a draft and final report and two briefings.

Rating Factor 3: Recent Organizational Experience and Organizational Capacity, and Project Staffing

30 max points

The Recent Organizational Experience and Organizational Capacity, and Project Staff rating factor has two subcomponents: a) Recent Organizational Experience and Organizational Capacity, and b) Project Staffing.

a) Recent Organizational Experience and Organizational Capacity (15 points) Recent Organizational Experience (10 points) Recent experience is defined as a study, report, briefing, or other research effort published within the past five years and of similar size, scope, and complexity. Applicants shall demonstrate recent experience by describing at least two recent experiences. The descriptions of each recent experience must include the following:

• The project name, funder and contact information, budget, period of performance, and publication and/or research citation of the recent experience. If the recent experience was not funded or otherwise performed in-house, state it as such.

• A description of how the recent experience is relevant to the applicant’s proposed study.

Organizational Capacity (5 points) Applicants shall identify the names and roles of key personnel and/or staff who are proposed to work under this NOFO and explain their role, if any, on the projects described in Recent Organizational Experience.

Note: Recent experience and performance may be verified by a HUD application reviewer with references to the extent applicable.

b) Project Staffing (15 points)

• Applicants shall describe the project staffing for the proposed research project in the narrative for this rating factor. Project staff shall have the necessary skills to fulfill the full range of tasks that the proposed research project requires them to perform.

• The project staffing shall include up to three key personnel who shall be specifically identified. Key personnel will have primary responsibility for managing or carrying out the proposed work. Key personnel must include, at a minimum, the Principal Investigator and Project Manager/Director. Key personnel may be in-house staff, sub-recipients, and/or consultants for whom a contract or agreement already exists.

2. Policy Initiative Preference Points Preference points are added to your overall application score. You do not need to address the policy initiatives in this section to receive an award. If you choose to address a policy initiative in your application, you must adhere to the information with any award.

_________ Minority-Serving Institutions

You may receive up to two (2) points, if you are an MSI. To receive points, you must include in your application documentation of your MSI designation.

You may receive up to two (2) points, if you are partnering with an MSI. To receive points, you must include in your application a letter of commitment and MSI status documentation. The letter must confirm your partnership. The letter must also include the signature of a leadership official at the MSI.

3. Civil Rights and Equity Review

a. Advancing Racial Equity

Your application must describe your plans to advance racial equity, as required in Executive Orders 13985 and 14091, and Federal fair housing and civil rights laws. Specifically, your plan must describe how you:

• Analyze the racial composition of the persons or households who are expected to benefit, directly or indirectly, from your proposed award activities;

• Identify any potential barriers to persons or communities of color equitably benefiting from your proposed award activities;

• Detail the steps you will take to prevent, reduce, or eliminate these barriers; and

• Describe new or existing measures to track your progress and evaluate the effectiveness of your efforts to advance racial equity in your proposed award activities.

Any action must be consistent with Federal nondiscrimination requirements.

Narrative: Your application must sufficiently and completely address the requirements above in a separate narrative.

• At least one key personnel must have demonstrated recent experience completing research projects related to missing middle housing, barriers to housing construction or housing finance.

• If the proposed research involves financing barriers to MMH, then the project staffing must include at least one staff member who has demonstrated recent experience related to housing finance.

Note: To receive full points for this rating subfactor, at least one key personnel must have demonstrated recent experience completing projects related to missing middle housing.

Preference Points: Minority Serving Institution (MSI) 2 max points You may receive two (2) additional points if you are an MSI or partnering with an MSI and include the MSI documentation in your application.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/02/22/2023-03779/further-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal

b. Experience Promoting Racial Equity In keeping with Executive Orders 13985 and 14091, as well as Federal fair housing and civil rights laws, your application must show that you have the experience and/or resources to meet the needs of underserved communities, specifically Black and Brown communities. This may include:

• Experience successfully working directly with these communities;

• Experience designing or operating programs that equitably benefit these communities;

• Experience soliciting, obtaining, and applying input from such groups when designing, planning, or implementing programs and activities;

• Experience encouraging specific and authentic engagement with historically underserved neighborhoods and communities of color to guide policy outcomes; and/or

• Staff and volunteers who have lived experience and/or expertise to provide services in a culturally competent way or resources to hire such staff for your proposed award activities.

Narrative: Your application must sufficiently and completely address the requirements above in a separate narrative.

c. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing With some exceptions for Federally recognized Indian tribes and their instrumentalities, you must describe how you will carry out your proposed award activities in a manner that affirmatively furthers fair housing in compliance with the Fair Housing Act and its implementing regulations. You should describe how your proposed award activities will meaningfully:

• Address significant disparities based on protected class in unmet housing needs;

• Address disparities based on protected class in access to opportunity;

• Address segregation and promote integration;

• Transform racially or ethnically concentrated areas of poverty into well-resourced areas of opportunity without displacing existing residents; and/or

• Foster and maintain compliance with civil rights and fair housing laws.

Narrative: Your application must sufficiently address the requirements above in narrative. If your application is nonresponsive, HUD may request that you update your response before HUD decides funding for your application.

3. Other Factors Your application must respond to the following other additional criteria.

a. Budget The panel will review but not score the budget. The panel will assess whether the budget aligns with planned program activities and objectives. Panel members will consider whether the budget and the requested performance period are fully justified and reasonable in relation to the proposed project.

The panel will review the applicant’s Budget Narrative. Details on the Budget Narrative are in Section IV.C of this NOFO.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/02/22/2023-03779/further-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal

C. Risk Review Before making an award, HUD will use the following criteria to determine each applicant’s risk of not implementing an award.

OMB-designated repositories of governmentwide data, as noted in 2 CFR 200.206(a)

Other public sources such as newspapers, Inspector General or Government Accountability Office reports or findings, or other complaints that have been proven to have merit

Financial stability

Quality of management systems and ability to meet the management standards prescribed in 2 CFR part 200

History of performance. The applicant’s record in managing Federal awards, if it is a prior recipient of Federal awards, including timeliness of compliance with applicable reporting requirements, failing to make significant progress in a timely manner, failing to meet planned activities in a timely manner, conformance to the terms and conditions of previous Federal awards, and, if applicable, the extent to which any previously awarded amounts will be expended prior to future awards

Reports and findings from audits performed under Subpart F—Audit Requirements of 2 CFR part 200 or the reports and findings of any other available audits

The applicant's ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements imposed on non-Federal entities

Capacity of the applicant, including staffing structures and capabilities

History of timely completion of activities and receipt and expenditure of promised matching or leveraged funds

Ability to promote self-sufficiency and economic independence

Ability to produce positive outcomes and results

HUD may use the results of the risk review to make funding decisions and to apply award conditions.

D. Selection Process When making funding decisions, HUD will consider:

• Eligibility requirements, including threshold review results.

• Merit review results.

• Risk review results.

HUD may:

• Fund applications in whole or in part.

• Fund applications at a lower amount than requested.

• Choose to fund no applications under this NOFO.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.206

• Adjust funding for an application, to ensure funding diversity, geographic diversity, and alignment with program or administrative priorities.

• Withdraw an award offer and make an offer of funding to another eligible application, if terms and conditions are not finalized or met.

• Use additional funds made available after NOFO publication to either fully fund an application or fund additional applications.

• Correct HUD review and selection errors. If HUD commits an error that causes an applicant not to be selected, HUD may make an award to that applicant when and if funding is available.

• Release another NOFO, if funding is available and if HUD does not receive applications of merit.

All applications will be scored against the rating criteria described in Section V. Once all applications have been scored, HUD will select the application with the highest score to fund.

HUD may also negotiate proposed budgets with one or more competitive applicant proposals to potentially select more than one application to fund.

E. Award Notices If you are successful, HUD will email an award notice to the authorized official representative from the SF-424. HUD will also notify unsuccessful applicants.

The award notice communicates the amount of the award, important dates, and the terms and conditions you need to follow. HUD may impose specific conditions on an award as provided under 2 CFR 200.208.

You agree to the award terms and conditions by either drawing funds from HUD’s payment system or signing the agreement with HUD. If you do not agree to the award terms and conditions, HUD may select another eligible applicant.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.208

VI. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

You must apply electronically. See Find the Application Package to make sure you have everything you need to apply online. See Application Waiver if you qualify to submit a paper application.

Make sure you are current with SAM.gov and UEI requirements before applying for the award.

See the Before You Begin section of this NOFO.

A. Deadlines

1. Application submission deadline:

The application deadline is 11:59:59 PM Eastern time on:

02/25/2025 HUD must receive your application by the deadline. Applications received after the deadline are late. Late applications are not eligible for HUD funding.

If HUD receives more than one application from you, HUD will review only the last submission.

HUD may extend an application due date based on emergency situations such as Presidentially-declared natural disasters. Improper or expired registration and password issues are not causes to allow HUD to accept applications after the deadline date.

2. Grace Period for Grants.gov Submissions If Grants.gov rejects your application before the deadline, you have up to 24 hours after the application deadline to correct and resubmit your application. Any application submitted during the grace period but not received and validated by Grants.gov will not be considered for funding.

There is no grace period for paper applications.

B. Submission Methods

1. Electronic Submission

You must register and submit your application through Grants.gov. See Before You Begin.

For instructions on how to submit in Grants.gov, see the Quick Start Guide for Applicants. Make sure that your application passes the Grants.gov validation checks or we may not get it.

Grants.gov will record the date and time of your application submission. HUD will use this information to determine timely applications.

Need Help? See the Contact and Support section of this NOFO.

You may request a waiver from the requirement to submit your application electronically. The request must show good cause and detail why you are technologically unable to submit electronically. An example of good cause may include: a validate power or internet service disruption in the area of your business office. Lack of SAM.gov registration is not good cause.

Use the information in the Contact and Support section of this NOFO to submit a written request to HUD. You must submit your waiver request at least 15 calendar days before the application deadline.

https://sam.gov https://grants.gov https://grants.gov https://grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://grants.gov https://sam.gov

C. Other Submissions

1. Intergovernmental Review This NOFO is not subject to Executive Order 12372. No action is needed.

2. Technical Application Errors HUD may contact you to fix a technical error with your timely application after the due date.

Technical errors that you may fix are not submitted to satisfy merit review criteria. And you may not fix technical errors related to threshold review except eligibility entity documentation.

Examples of technical errors include: inconsistencies in funding requests; improper signature on a form; a missing or incomplete form; and nonprofit status documentation.

HUD will send notice to the authorized organization representative from the SF-424 to fix a technical error.

Your application is not eligible for funding, if you fail to fix the error to HUD’s satisfaction and by the due date in HUD’s notice. HUD will not review information submitted after the application due date in HUD’s notice.

a. Fix Errors in Electronic Applications To fix an error in response to a HUD notice, you must email the corrections to HUD at applicationsupport@hud.gov. The subject line of the email to applicationsupport@hud.gov must state “Technical Fix” and include the Grants.gov application tracking number (e.g., Subject:

Technical Fix - GRANT123456). If you do not email applicationsupport@hud.gov or if you do not include the appropriate subject line, HUD may mark your application as ineligible.

HUD allows no less than 48 hours and no more than 14 calendar days from the date of the HUD notice to fix an error. If the due date to fix an error falls on a Saturday, Sunday, Federal holiday, or on a day when HUD’s Headquarters office in Washington, DC is closed, then the due date is the next business day.

b. Fix Errors in Paper Applications You must fix an error in your paper application, in accordance with HUD’s notice. If your paper application includes an incorrect UEI, HUD will request you supply the correct UEI.

D. False Statements By submitting an application, you acknowledge your understanding that providing false or misleading information during any part of the application, award, or performance phase of an…