MODIFIED FSS New Applicants NOFA.pdf

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Public and Indian Housing

Family Self-Sufficiency Program - New Applicants

FR-6200-N-50

Application Due Date: 06/13/2019

Family Self-Sufficiency Program - New Applicants

FR-6200-N-50

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Funding Opportunity Description.

II. Award Information.

III. Eligibility Information.

A. Eligible Applicants.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching.

C. Threshold Requirements.

D. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements Affecting El igibility.

E. Program Specific Requirements.

F. Criteria for Beneficiaries.

IV. Application and Submission Information.

A. Obtaining an Application Package.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission.

C. System for Award Management (SAM) and Dun and

Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number.

D. Application Submission Dates and Times.

E. Intergovernmental Review.

F. Funding Restrictions.

G. Other Submission Requirements.

V. Application Review Information.

A. Review Criteria.

B. Review and Selection Process.

C. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates.

VI. Award Administration Information.

A. Award Notices.

B. Administrative, National and Department Policy

Requirements for HUD recipients.

C. Reporting.

D. Debriefing.

VII. Agency Contacts.

VIII. Other Information.

IX. Appendix.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Program Office: Public and Indian Housing Funding Opportunity Title: Family Self-Sufficiency Program - New

Applicants Announcement Type: Modification Funding Opportunity Number: FR-6200-N-50 Primary CFDA Number: 14.896 Due Date for Applications: 06/13/2019

Overview Prospective applicants should carefully read all instructions in all sections to avoid sending an incomplete or ineligible application. HUD funding is highly competitive. Failure to respond accurately to any submission requirement could result in an incomplete or noncompetitive proposal.

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

OMB Approval Number(s): 2577-0178

I. Funding Opportunity Description.

A. Program Description.

1. Purpose HUD is making approximately $1,000,000 available under this NOFA for new FSS grantees.

a. Overview:

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program supports the Department’s strategic goal of increasing economic opportunity for HUD-assisted families. FSS provides grants to Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to support the salaries and training needs of FSS Program Coordinators who assist participating families receiving housing assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), RAD-affected Project-Based Voucher (PBV), and Public Housing (PH) programs. FSS Program Coordinators develop local strategies to connect participating families to public and private resources to increase their earned income and financial literacy, reduce or eliminate the need for welfare assistance, and make progress toward economic independence and self-sufficiency. PHAs and each individual participating family execute a contract that incorporates the responsibilities of each party, as well as a training and services plan to help the family become more self-sufficient. PHAs are not permitted to limit FSS participation to those families most likely to succeed.

On May 24, 2018, The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act became public law No: 115-174. This bill amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to revise the FSS program, an employment and savings incentive program for families that reside in public housing or having vouchers. Specifically, the bill:

Combines existing, separately operated FSS program into a single program;

Extends program eligibility to tenants of certain privately-owned properties subsidized with project-based rental assistance (PBRA);

Revises program requirements related to eligibility, supportive services, and escrow deposits; and Other modifies the FSS program.

This bill will not be in effect until HUD issues implementing regulations for the FSS program.

This bill will not impact funding awarded under this NOFA,

b. Responsibilities of FSS Program Coordinators. An FSS Program Coordinator must:

Build partnerships with employers and service providers in the community and work with the Program Coordinating Committee (PCC) and with such local service providers to ensure that FSS program participants are linked to the supportive services they need to achieve self-sufficiency, including services for participants with limited English proficiency. See Section I.A.3 of this NOFA ("Definitions") for the definition of PCC. For more information on Partnerships and Collaborations, see Notice PIH 2011-51 and for more information on partnerships between PHAs and Department of Labor Workforce Investment Boards/One Stops, see "From the Ground Up: Creating Partnerships between Public Housing Authorities and Workforce Investment Boards" at http://www.wf31.org/view/5001417448285409284/info.

Ensure that an Individual Training and Services Plan is prepared for the head of the FSS family and each adult member of the FSS family who elects to participate in the FSS program.

Ensure that the services included in the participants' contracts of participation are provided on a regular, ongoing and satisfactory basis; participants are fulfilling their responsibilities under the contracts; and FSS escrow accounts are established and properly maintained for eligible families. FSS coordinators may also perform job development functions (e.g., outreach to potential employers) for the FSS program.

Monitor the progress of participants and evaluate the overall success of the program.

FSS Coordinators are encouraged to ensure that participants have greater access to financial education/literacy/empowerment/coaching programs that will help them acquire the knowledge and skills to make informed and effective decisions that ultimately help them reach their goals and achieve self-sufficiency and financial stability. This includes partnering with organizations that can conduct financial education workshops that cover topics such as credit, debt, savings, budgeting, asset building and banking services; and/or organizations that can provide financial coaching. For information on financial literacy tools and resources available to help HUD assisted families enhance their financial literacy and asset building skills, please see Notice PIH

2014-26 (HA).

The FSS Guidebook and Online training is a resource that potential applicants, FSS Coordinators, PCCs, PHA board members and commissioners, executive directors, senior housing staff, and other staff who may work with the FSS program can use to better serve FSS participants and run an effective FSS program. The guidebook and online training provides in-depth information about all aspects of the FSS program drawing on evidence about "what works" and the experience of practitioners. They can be found here: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/fss/#1-intro duction All FSS applicants must have a representative from their agency complete the FSS training. See Section III.A.3 for more information.

c. Staffing Guidelines. Under normal circumstances, a full-time FSS Program Coordinator should be able to serve approximately 50 FSS participants, depending on the coordinator's case management functions. However, this NOFA requires at least 25 FSS participants to be served for one full-time FSS Coordinator position. While this NOFA requires at least 25 FSS participants to qualify for one full-time FSS Coordinator position, grantees are encouraged to serve at least 50 FSS participants per full-time coordinator position. Applicants awarded through this NOFA must have enrolled and provided service coordination for at least 25 FSS participants by the end of the grant term. See Section III.E.3 for more information.

d. Outreach. Grantees are encouraged to reach out to eligible families with disabilities and to persons with limited English proficiency who might be interested in participating in the FSS program, and to include agencies on their FSS PCC that work with and provide services to families with disabilities and that work with and provide services to persons with limited English proficiency. Additionally, grantees are encouraged to reach out to formerly homeless persons, veterans, and formerly incarcerated persons.

e. Coordination between Programs with Services or Service Coordination. Grantees that are located in a jurisdiction that receives multiple sources of HUD funding (from the programs listed below) to serve the same population or geographic area, should coordinate among those programs, where appropriate, so as to leverage shared resources, avoid duplication of services, and improve access and service delivery to participating families. Programs include: ROSS Service Coordinators (ROSS-SC), Jobs Plus, HOPE VI Revitalization, Choice Neighborhoods, Elderly/Disabled Service Coordinators, HUD-VASH, Family Unification Program (FUP) vouchers, Multi-Family Service Coordinators, Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA), Continuum of Care programs and/or other special use housing assistance with services or service coordination. One example of coordination is a PHA that administers both FSS and ROSS-SC programs using a single Program Coordinating Committee. Coordination between programs should be conducted by and between program coordinators or other program management staff. In general, residents who are part of FSS should not be served also by ROSS- SC and should be very carefully managed between FSS and Jobs Plus. Jobs Plus programs should consult their Grant Managers for more information.

2. Changes from Previous NOFA.

Changes have been made to the instructions on how to complete the mandatory form 52651 for this NOFA.

Section IV.B.2 of the NOFA previously outlined instructions for completing a section on the 52651 that does not exist (Part III).

Applicants should follow these updated instructions in order to ensure proper completion of the https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/fss/#1-introduction requested information outlined therein.

For any questions regarding these changes, please send questions to FSS@HUD.gov.

A webcast link to view a recording of and slides from the "FSS NEW APPLICANTS NOFA WEBINAR" presented by HUD on 4/24/19 can be found at https://www.hud.gov/program_of fices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps/fy18fss_newapplicants

3. Definitions.

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

Award, as used in this NOFA means a federal, grant, cooperative agreement, loan, or loan guarantee.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) is a directory of the various Federal listings, projects, services and activities offering financial and non-financial assistance and benefits to the American public. CFDA Number is the unique number assigned to each program, project, service or activity listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA).

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

Contract means a legal instrument by which a non-Federal entity purchases property or services needed to carry out the project or program under a Federal award. The term as used in this NOFA does not include a legal instrument, even if the non-Federal entity considers it a contract, when the substance of the transaction meets the definition of a Federal award or subaward (See 2 CFR 200.22.)

Contractor means an entity receiving a contract.

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

Curable Deficiency – Applicants may correct a curable deficiency with timely action.

To be curable the deficiency must:

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

Not influence how an applicant is ranked or scored versus other applicants; and Be able to be remedied within the time frame specified in the notice of deficiency.

Non-Curable Deficiency – An applicant cannot correct a non-curable deficiency after the submission deadline.

Non-curable deficiencies are deficiencies if corrected would change an applicant’s score or rank mailto:FSS@HUD.gov https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps/fy18fss_newapplicants https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps/fy18fss_newapplicants versus other applicants.

Non-curable deficiencies may result in an application being marked ineligible, or otherwise adversely affect an application’s score and final determination.

DUNS Number is the nine-digit identification number assigned to a business or organization by Dun & Bradstreet and provides a means of identifying business entities on a location-specific basis. Requests for a DUNS number can be made by visiting the Online DUNS Request Portal.

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

Deficiencies in meeting an eligibility requirement may be categorized as either curable or non-curable.

Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) is a database that has been established to track contractor misconduct and performance.

Grants.gov is the website serving as the Federal government’s central portal for searching and applying for federal financial assistance throughout the Federal government. Registration in Grants.gov is required for submission of applications to prospective agencies.

NOTE: Passwords expire every 60 days. Accounts inactive for 1 year or more result in removal of all account roles. For more account management information, review the Applicant FAQs contained on the grants.gov web page.

Non-Federal Entity means a state, local government, Indian tribe, institution of higher education (IHE), or non-profit organization carrying out a Federal award as a recipient or subrecipient.

Point of Contact (POC) is the person who may be contacted with questions about the application submitted by the AOR. The point of contact is listed in item 8F on the SF424.

Promise Zones are federally-designated, high-poverty urban, rural and tribal communities where the Federal government will partner with and invest in communities to accomplish these goals:

create jobs, leverage private investment, increase economic activity, expand educational opportunities, and reduce violent crime.

Promotores/Promotoras are Spanish-speaking Community Health Workers who work in their communities to reduce barriers to health services and make health care systems more responsive.

Recipient means a non-Federal entity receiving an award directly from HUD to carry out an activity under a HUD program.

Section 3 Business Concern means a business concern (1) 51 percent or more owned by Section 3 residents; or (2) of which at least 30 percent of permanent, full-time employees are currently Section 3 residents, or were Section 3 residents within three years of the date of first employment with the business concern; or (3) provides evidence of a commitment to subcontract over 25 percent of the dollar award of all subcontracts to be awarded to business concerns meeting the qualifications in this definition.

Section 3 Residents means: 1) Public housing residents; or 2) Low and very-low income persons, as defined in 24 CFR 135.5, who live in the metropolitan area or non-metropolitan county where Section 3 covered assistance is expended.

Standard Form 424 (SF424) Application for Federal Assistance Programs, required by discretionary grant programs.

Subaward means an award provided by a recipient to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to carry out part of a Federal award received by the recipient. It does not include payments to a contractor or payments to an individual’s beneficiary of a Federal program. A subaward may be provided through any form of legal agreement, including an agreement that the recipient considers a contract.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html#password

Subrecipient means a non-Federal entity receiving a subaward from a recipient to carry out part of a HUD program; but does not include an individual’s beneficiary of such program.

A subrecipient may also receive other Federal awards directly from a Federal awarding agency (including HUD).

System for Award Management (SAM), is an official website of the U.S. government. You can access the website at Sam.gov There is no cost to use SAM. SAM is the official U.S.

Government system that consolidated the capabilities of Central Contractor Registry (CCR), Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) and the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). Registration with Sam.gov is required for submission of applications via Grants.gov.

Threshold Requirement – Threshold requirements are a type of eligibility requirement. Threshold requirements must be met for an application to be reviewed. Threshold requirements are not curable, except for documentation of applicant eligibility. Threshold requirements are listed in Section III.C. of this NOFA.

Applicants must ensure their application package addresses threshold requirements. Please check your application carefully!

4. Program Definitions Action Plans may be submitted within 3 months from the announcement of awards. All FSS grantees are required by FSS program regulations to be develop an Action Plan that is approved by HUD. An Action Plan describes the policies and procedures of the PHA for operation of a local FSS program. For a full description of the information that the Action Plan must contain, please see 24 CFR 984.201 and the Best Practices Guidebook (https://www.hudexchange.info /resources/documents/FSS-Program-Guidebook.pdf). There are also sample FSS Action Plans available at the HUD Resource Library on HUD Exchange (https://www.hudexchange.info/progr ams/fss/#1-introduction).

Contract Administrator is an overall grant administrator or a financial management agent (or both) that oversees the implementation of the grant and/or the financial aspects of the grant. See Section III.E.2 of this NOFA "Troubled PHAs" for more information.

Contract of Participation: See 24 CFR 984.103 for the definition and 24 CFR 984.303 for further information including the contract term.

Eligible Families are PH program participants, HCV program participants, or PH participants enrolled in the FSS program prior to a Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) conversion that have become Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) residents. See Section III.E.7.d "Rental Assistance Demonstration" for more information).

FSS Escrow Account: is a savings account for FSS participants. As a participating family?s earned income increases, their (income-based) tenant rent payment also increases. However, under FSS the amount of the family?s rent increase (the difference between the baseline rent, set when the family signs the Contract of Participation, and the new rent, calculated as the family?s income increases) deposited into the participant?s escrow account. The participating family can access the funds in their escrow account upon graduation from the FSS program. The escrow funds may be used for any purpose, as determined by the graduated family. See 24 CFR 984.103 for the definition and 24 CFR 984.305 for further information. See also HUD PIH Accounting https://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/FSS-Program-Guidebook.pdf https://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/FSS-Program-Guidebook.pdf

Brief #23.

FSS Program Coordinator is the person responsible for linking FSS program participants to supportive services. See Section I.A.1.b "Responsibilities of FSS Program Coordinators" of this NOFA for more information.

Job-sharing means that two or more employees are retained on a part-time or reduced-time basis to perform a job normally fulfilled by one FSS coordinator working full-time. See Section II.A.1 of this NOFA "Eligible Use of Funds" for more information.

Moving to Work (MTW) PHAs are PHAs that are under MTW agreements with HUD. See Section III.E.7.a of this NOFA "Program Administration" for more information.

Performance Evaluation System is the new performance measurement system that HUD will use to determine the performance and impact of FSS programs. The final notice on the methodology of the FSS performance evaluation system was published November 15, 2018 (see https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/11/15/2018-24949/family-self-sufficiency-perfo rmance-measurement-system-composite-score). Under this NOFA, applicants will not be affected by the performance evaluation system in determining funding eligibility. However, the performance evaluation system may be used to determine future eligibility for funding.

Program Coordinating Committee (PCC) is a requirement of the FSS program. The PCC functions are to assist the PHA in securing commitments of public and private resources for the operation of the FSS program within the PHA's jurisdiction, including assistance in developing the FSS Action Plan and implementing the program. See 24 CFR 984.202 for further information.

5. Web Resources The resources indicated provide details for the application process

Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Code of Conduct list Do Not Pay Dun & Bradstreet Request a DUNS Number Equal Participation of Faith-Based Organizations Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System Federal Subaward Reporting System) FSRS Grants.gov Grants.gov support Healthy Homes Strategic Plan Healthy Housing Reference Manual HUD Funds available HUD’s Strategic Plan HUD Grants NOFA webcasts Procurement of recovered materials Promise Zones Section 3 Business Registry https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/11/15/2018-24949/family-self-sufficiency-performance-measurement-system-composite-score https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/11/15/2018-24949/family-self-sufficiency-performance-measurement-system-composite-score https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/GEN-REQ-TERMS-2018.PDF https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/conductgrants http://donotpay.treas.gov/ https://www.dnb.com/ http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=d67b2c9e097a45629d959d63e5e4f297&ty=HTML&h=L&mc=true&r=SECTION&n=se24.1.5_1109 https://www.fapiis.gov/fapiis/index.action https://www.fsrs.gov/ https://grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/healthy_homes/advhh https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/publications/books/housing/housing_ref_manual_2012.pdf https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/SPM/documents/HUDSTRATEGICPLAN2018-2022.pdf https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo https://www.hud.gov/press/multimedia https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=91f378a1992b84880fbe5823086278fc&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_1322 https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/promise-zones/ https://portalapps.hud.gov/Sec3BusReg/BRegistry/What

State Point of Contact List System for Award Management (SAM)) Real Property Acquisition and Relocation USASpending

B. Authority.

The FSS program is authorized by Section 23 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. Funding for this program is authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115- 141).

II. Award Information.

A. Available Funds Funding of up to $1,000,000 is available through this NOFA.

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

HUD has set aside approximately $500k of FY18 funds to award eligible applicants under this NOFA in accordance with the FY18 Consolidated Appropriation Act. At the Department’s discretion and subject to appropriation, HUD may also use approximately $500k of FY19 funds to award eligible applicants under this NOFA.

1. Eligible Use of Funds.

Funds awarded to PHAs under this NOFA will be used to pay the salary and fringe benefits (defined at 2 CFR 200.431 Compensation - fringe benefits) of FSS program coordinators.

Funds awarded under this NOFA that are projected to remain unexpended by the end of the grant period for adequate reasons (such as FSS coordinator turnover or prolonged absence) also may be used for eligible administrative and training costs related to the FSS program, subject to prior HUD approval and a cap of 10% of the total award amount. (For example, if the grantee was awarded a $45,000 grant, no more than $4,500 of this total may be approved for eligible administrative and training costs.) Such administrative and training costs must be related to the FSS program and attributable to the PHA (not to the family). Examples of eligible administrative expenses include, but are not limited to, mileage costs for visits to FSS families in relation to the FSS coordinator's case management/coaching functions and costs of FSS outreach materials.

Examples of ineligible administrative costs include, but are not limited to, security deposits, landlord incentives, and food and beverages. Examples of eligible training expenses include, but are not limited to, training materials, and/or cost of registration for https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/omb/grants_spoc https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/ https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/library/relocation https://www.usaspending.gov/Pages/Default.aspx trainings related to case management, service coordination, and economic self-sufficiency. PHAs seeking to use funds for these purposes must seek prior approval from their local HUD Field Office before the grant period closes. If a PHA submits a request to use funds for administrative and/or training costs during the first, second, or third quarter of the grant period, the PHA will have until the end of the grant period to expend funds or funds will be recaptured at the end of the one-year grant period. If a PHA submits a request to use funds for administrative and/or training costs during the last quarter of the grant period, the PHA will have up to 3 months after the grant period to expend funds or funds will be recaptured. Further information may be provided in the grant agreement or through other means. See Section IV.F.3 of this NOFA "Ineligible Activities" for information on ineligible activities.

The funds for an FSS coordinator position may be used to job-share. See definition at Section I.A.4.

Funding awarded through this NOFA may be used to coordinate services for the FSS coordinator PH residents and HCV/PBV participants. The funds may be used for the FSS coordinator to continue coordinating services for PH residents who have converted to PBRA, because of a RAD conversion and who were enrolled in the FSS program prior to the RAD conversion.

B. Number of Awards.

HUD expects to make approximately 12 awards from the funds available under this NOFA.

For information on the methodology used to make award determinations under this NOFA, please see section V.B "Review and Selection Process below.

C. Minimum/Maximum Award Information The maximum award amount per coordinator is $72,000 subject to salary comparability information. Applicants will only be awarded for one coordinator position.

Estimated Total Funding: $1,000,000 Minimum Award Amount: $0 Per Project Period Maximum Award Amount: $72,000 Per Project Period

D. Period of Performance Most grants made pursuant to this NOFA will run from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020.

However, the grant term may be modified or extended by HUD as determined necessary. The estimated project start and end dates below are only estimates. Please note that grant extensions are discouraged and will be done pursuant to 2 CFR Part 200.308. Depending on when grants are awarded, there may be an extra start-up period between the date of grant award and 1/1/2020 wherein awardees may begin incurring costs. However, the next FSS grant project period will not start until 1/1/2021 regardless of when the project period of this award begins.

Estimated Project Start Date: 01/01/2020 Estimated Project End Date: 12/31/2020 Length of Project Periods: 12-month project period and budget period Length of Project Periods Explanation of Other:

E. Type of Funding Instrument.

Funding Instrument Type: Grant Funding will be disbursed through HUD?s Line of Credit Control System (LOCCS), in accordance with each successful applicant?s executed Grant Agreement. LOCCS is HUD?s primary grant and subsidy disbursement system that disburses and tracks the payment of grant funds to grantees. Grantees must access and manage their grant funds through an internet version of LOCCS called eLOCCS. FSS funds will continue to be disbursed using this system, and in accordance with the Grant Agreement. Additional terms and requirements of the grant will be specified in the Grant Agreement.

All grantees should have already obtained access to LOCCS. Obtaining access to LOCCS requires HUD approval and can be a lengthy process. If your agency does not currently have LOCCS access, we encourage you to begin the process as soon as possible, in the event that your agency is awarded funds under this NOFA. Should you not get LOCCS approval in sufficient time, you could potentially face a lapse in availability of FSS program coordinator funding. For more information about gaining access to LOCCS, please visit http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/cfo/loccs_guidelines, or contact the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, User Support Branch at 1-877-705-7504 (toll free).

Grantees should also review the eLOCCS User Guide (http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id =eloccs_registration_guide.pdf) for information on the steps needed to gain access to eLOCCS through HUD?s Secure Systems platform. For additional information, please contact your local field office representative, or the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, User Support Branch at 1-877-705-7504 (toll free).

When completing the LOCCS Access Authorization Form (HUD 27054), please indicate ?ROSS? in section 5a (LOCSS Program Area) and ?Resident Opport and Self Sufficiency? in block 5b (Program Name).

III. Eligibility Information.

A. Eligible Applicants.

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

Additional Information on Eligibility:

Eligible applicants. PHAs (including MTW PHAs) that were not funded under the FY16, FY17, and/or FY18 FSS NOFA competition. Applicants are not required to have an FSS program in place.

As required in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 2 CFR 25.200 and 24 CFR Part 5 Subpart K, all applicants for financial assistance must have an active Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number (http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform) and have an active registration in the

System for Award Management (SAM) (www.sam.gov) before submitting an application.

Getting a DUNS number and completing SAM registration can take up to four weeks; therefore, applicants should start this process or check their status.

See Section V.B.3 of this NOFA for more information on how funding will be distributed among eligible applicants. See also Section IV.B.1 for necessary form and content information.

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

C. Threshold Requirements.

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

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

2. Narrative Statement. Applicants must submit a narrative statement. If the narrative statement is not submitted as part of the application, it will not be requested during the deficiency period. This is a non-curable deficiency. Applicants failing to submit a required narrative statement shall be deemed ineligible for funding under this NOFA. Please see section

IV.B.1.

Note: Please see section IV.B. for all required forms that must be submitted with your application.

D. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements Affecting Eligibility Eligibility Requirements for Applicants of HUD’s Grants Programs The following requirements affect applicant eligibility. Detailed information on each requirement is posted on HUD’s Funding Opportunities Page (click here).

Resolution of Civil Rights Matters Outstanding Delinquent Federal Debts Debarments and/or Suspensions Pre-selection Review of Performance Sufficiency of Financial Management System False Statements Mandatory Disclosure Requirement Prohibition Against Lobbying Activities Equal Participation of Faith-Based Organizations in HUD Programs and Activities

E. Program Specific Requirements.

https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/SPM/documents/ELIG-REQS-GRANTS-2018v2.pdf

1. Program Modifications to HUD Wide or Federal Agency Wide Requirements

a. Sufficiency of Financial Management System. By applying for this NOFA, you confirm that you have a financial management system that meets federal standards (per 2 CFR Part 200, subpart D).

b. Debarment and/or Suspensions. This requirement does not apply directly to eligible applicants under this NOFA. However, no person employed by or contracted with the applicant that appears on the Excluded Parties Listing System (EPLS) may be paid pursuant to funding under this NOFA. The EPLS may be accessed through the SAM website at the following address: https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/#1.

c. Conducting Business in Accordance with Ethical Standards/Code of Conduct. In addition to submitting a copy of your code of conduct, dated and signed by the Executive Director, Chair, or equivalent official, as required in paragraph III.D.2.g, you shall continue to maintain a written code of conduct in your PHA administrative plan and/or Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP) that prohibits the solicitation or acceptance of gifts or gratuities, in excess of a nominal value, by any officer or employee of the PHA, or any contractor, subcontractor, or agent of the PHA. Your administrative plan and/or ACOP shall state PHA policies concerning PHA administrative and disciplinary remedies for violation of the PHA code of conduct. PHAs and employees must conduct business in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200. The PHA shall inform all officers, employees, and agents of its organization of the PHA’s code of conduct. Pursuant to applicable Federal and HUD regulations, applicants must disclose in writing any potential conflict of interest and all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the Federal award.

d. Consistency with the Consolidated Plan and Analysis of Impediments/ Assessments of Fair Housing. This requirement is not applicable to this NOFA because FSS is not one of the public housing or Section 8 programs under the United States Housing Act of 1937 that requires consistency with the consolidated plan.

2. Troubled PHAs.

If you have been identified by HUD as PHAS/SEMAP Troubled as of the time of publication of this NOFA, you are, as required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR 902.73 and/or 24 CFR 985.107, subject to a review, corrective action plan, and monitoring of your PH or HCV program, including, if applicable, the FSS program. If deemed necessary by the local HUD field office, you will be required to enter into a Recovery Agreement with the HUD field office, which may include contracting with an entity acceptable to the HUD field office to act as Contract Administrator for the program. See the Definitions Section of this NOFA I.A.3 for the definition of Contract Administrator. The local HUD field office may also require a Recovery agreement if you have had serious program management findings from Inspector General audits or serious outstanding HUD management review or Independent Public Accountant audit findings for your HCV and PH programs or your FSS program.

The HUD field office will work with you to put a Recovery Agreement in place prior to the funds being made available. If a Recovery Agreement is required, funding will be contingent upon execution of the Agreement. If the Recovery Agreement requires a Contract Administrator, funding cannot be disbursed until the Contract Administrator is in place, even if the Recovery Agreement has been executed.

3. Maximum Number of Service Coordinators. Grantees under this NOFA will be awarded one service coordinator position only.

4. Minimum Number of Units/Vouchers. You must have at least 250 ACC and/or HCV/PBV (or a combination of PH, HCV, and PBV) in your portfolio to be eligible.

5. Number of FSS Participants. A full-time FSS Program Coordinator should be able to serve approximately 50 FSS participants, depending on the coordinator's case management functions.

However, this NOFA requires at least 25 FSS participants to be served for one full-time FSS Coordinator position.

6. PIC Data. All grantees under this NOFA must report using the PIC System. For more information about FSS PIC reporting, see PIH Notice 2016-08.

7. Joint Applicants. You may apply jointly with another eligible entity under this NOFA. The joint applicant group is subject to the minimum number of units/vouchers as defined above and all other program requirements.

8. FSS Statutory and Regulatory Requirements.

Please note that all grantees must administer the FSS program in accordance with the requirements listed below.

a.

Program Administration. All recipients of funding under this NOFA must administer the FSS program in accordance with HUD regulations and requirements in 24 CFR part 984 and must comply with PH and HCV and/or PBRA program requirements, notices, and guidebooks, as applicable. This includes using a PCC to secure the necessary resources to implement and administer the FSS program. A PHA’s FSS program may share a PCC with another PHA. (See 24 CFR 984.202 for more information).

MTW agencies must administer their FSS programs in accordance with 24 CFR part 984 unless there are approved activities in their MTW Plan to the contrary. Please note that an MTW PHA that applies jointly with a non-MTW PHA(s) cannot transfer any of its MTW flexibilities to the non-MTW PHA(s). The same is applicable to two or more MTW PHAs who apply jointly (each MTW PHA is subject to its own MTW plan and may not transfer any of the flexibilities of that plan to the other MTW PHA).

As provided under 24 CFR 984.303(g), a family enrolled in FSS is eligible to graduate from the program and receive the amount that has accrued in the escrow account when the family has completed all of its obligations under the Contract of Participation, even if such completion occurs before the expiration of the Contract. These obligations must include the two required goals of suitable employment for the Head of Household and being free from welfare cash assistance for at least the last 12 months. PHAs are responsible for determining what qualifies as suitable employment for each individual "based on the skills, education, and job training of the individual that has been designated the head of the FSS family and based on the available job opportunities with the jurisdiction served by the PHA" (24CFR 984.303(b)(4)(iii)). While HUD encourages FSS programs to work with their participants to go beyond basic employment. PHAs shall not establish increased mandatory requirements such as a certain number of hours or rate of pay as "suitable" for all FSS participants.

b. Portability and other consideration due to moves between rental assistance programs.

Additional guidance on FSS portability provisions can be found in PIH Notice 2016-08. (https ://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/PIH2016-08.PDF).

9. FSS Program Termination Due to Reduced or No Funding. There are no statutory or regulatory provisions that allow for the wholesale termination of an existing FSS program. Loss of funding for the FSS coordinator position does not relieve grantees from their contractual obligation to families already under an FSS contract.

10. Rental Assistance Demonstration Project based voucher (PBV) Conversions: PHAs that are converting or have converted public housing units to PBV assistance through RAD are allowed to use funds under this NOFA to serve those PH FSS participants who live in units converted by RAD and who will as a result become PBV FSS participants. Please note that PH FSS participants whose PH assistance is converted to PBV assistance under RAD continue to be eligible for FSS after their housing is converted.

See Section 1.6(C)(5) of the RAD notice (Notice PIH 2012-32 (HA), Rev-3) for more information on continued participation in the FSS program under RAD conversions to PBV.

PBRA Conversions: PHAs that are converting or have converted public housing units to PBRA assistance through RAD are allowed to use FSS funds made available under this NOFA to serve families enrolled in FSS prior to RAD conversion, until such participants exit the FSS program.

PBRA owners that are not PHAs may implement their own FSS programs but are not eligible to compete for funding under this NOFA. Please note that PHAs that convert all of their ACC units to PBRA (and thus now only administer a PBRA program) and remain the contract administrator may continue to use FSS funding that was granted prior to the RAD conversion to continue serving their residents who had enrolled in FSS prior to the RAD conversion.

See Section 1.7(B)(4) of the RAD notice (Notice PIH 2012 -32 (HA), Rev-3). Also note that the Office of Multifamily Housing has issued guidance to PBRA owners, including PHAs, who want to serve PBRA residents with an FSS program. See Notice H-2016-08.

F. Criteria for Beneficiaries.

IV. Application and Submission Information.

A. Obtaining an Application Package.

Instructions for Applicants.

You must download both the Application Instruction and the Application Package from Grants.gov. To ensure you are using the correct Application Package and Application https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/PIH2016-08.PDF https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/PIH2016-08.PDF

Instructions, you must verify the CFDA Number and CFDA Description on the first page of the Application Package, and the Opportunity Title and the Funding Opportunity Number match the Program and NOFA to which you are applying.

The Application Package contains the Adobe forms created by Grants.gov. The Instruction Download contains official copies of the NOFA, and forms necessary for a complete application. The Instruction Download may include Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and additional documents.

An applicant demonstrating good cause may request a waiver from the requirement for electronic submission. For example, a lack of available Internet access in the geographic area in which your business offices are located. Lack of SAM registration or valid DUNS is not deemed good cause. If you cannot submit your application electronically, you must ask in writing for a waiver of the electronic grant submission requirements. HUD will not grant a waiver if HUD does not receive your written request at least 15 days before the application deadline or if you do not demonstrate good cause. An email request sent 15 days before the application will also be considered. If HUD waives the requirement, HUD must receive your paper application or email request before the deadline of this NOFA. To request a waiver and receive a paper copy of the application materials, you must contact:

Email: FSS@hud.gov The subject line of the email message should be, "FY 2018 FSS NOFA New Applicant Waiver Request." If an you are granted a waiver, then the approval will provide instructions for submitting paper copies to the appropriate HUD office(s). Waivers to submit via paper will only be granted in extreme circumstances; for example, natural disasters.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission.

You must verify boxes 11, 12, and 13 on the SF424 match the NOFA for which you are applying. If they do not match, you have downloaded the wrong Application Instruction and Application Package.

Submission of an application that is otherwise sufficient, under the wrong CFDA and Funding Opportunity Number is not a curable deficiency and will result in your application being declared ineligible for funding.

1. Content.

Forms for your package include the forms outlined below:

Forms / Assurances / Certifications

Submission Requirement Notes / Description

Application for Federal Assistance - Form SF_424

This form is required of all applicants. It is a Grants.gov fillable form.

See Section IV.B.2.b of this NOFA ("SF_424") for more information.

HUD may contact you to clarify items on this form, and it will be treated as a curable deficiency (see Sections IV.D.4 and V.B.4 of this NOFA "Corrections to Deficient Applications" for more mailto:FSS@hud.gov information).

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

- Form SF-LLL, if applicable

If this form is not applicable to your agency, do not include it as part of your submission.

This form is only applicable if your agency has used or intends to use non-federal funds for lobbying activities. HUD may contact you to clarify items on this form, and it will be treated as a curable deficiency (see Sections IV.D.4 and V.B.4 of this NOFA "Corrections to Deficient Applications" for more information).

Applicant/Recipient Disclosure/Update Report - Form

HUD-2880

This form is required of all applicants. It is a Grants.gov fillable form.

This is the HUD Applicant Recipient Disclosure Report on Grants.gov.

HUD may contact you to clarify items on this form, and it will be treated as a curable deficiency (see Sections IV.D.4 and V.B.4 of this NOFA "Corrections to Deficient Applications" for more information).

Family Self- Sufficiency (FSS) Program Coordinator Funding - Form

HUD_52651

This form is required of all applicants. It is a Grants.gov fillable form.

This is the FSS application form. All FSS applicants will use the HUD- 52651 form; see Section IV.B.2.c of this NOFA ("HUD_52651") for more information. HUD may contact you to clarify items on this form (e.g., the amount requested,), and it will be treated as a curable deficiency (see Sections IV.D.4 and V.B.4 of this NOFA "Corrections to Deficient Applications" for more information).

Acknowledgment of Application Receipt

- Form HUD-2993, if applicable

If this form is not applicable to your agency, do not include it as part of your submission.

This form is only applicable if a waiver of the electronic application requirement is granted for your agency.

Additionally, your complete application must include the following narratives and non-form attachments.

a. Narrative Statement is required for all applicants. Failure to submit a narrative statement is not curable and shall not be requested by HUD during the deficiency or "cure" period.

Similarly, if information concerning rating factors is missing, it shall not be requested as part of the deficiency process, and you will not be awarded points for the specific item that is missing.

Applicants must submit one narrative statement that addresses all rating factors. Each rating http://grants.gov/ factor must be clearly identified and addressed as a section of the narrative statement (see sample narrative statement outline in Appendix B of this NOFA). The narrative statement must be no more than 15 pages, double-spaced, with one-inch margins and 12-point Times New Roman font (charts/graphs may be no smaller than 10pt font), and include page numbers.

b. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Workforce Investment Board. If you are submitting documentation of partnership with your local Workforce Investment Board (see Capacity Rating Factor) the letter or MOU must be attached. MOUs must be signed by both parties and dated within 60 days of the submission of application to grants.gov.

c. MOU or Partnership Agreements with Other Service Providers. If you are submitting documentation of existing partnerships with local service providers (see Soundness of Approach Rating Factor) you must submit a copy of the MOU or partnership agreements with such partner organizations. MOUs & Partnership letters must be on organizational letterhead and must be signed by both parties and dated within 60 days of the submission of application to grants.gov.

2. Format and Form.

Narratives and other attachments to your application must follow the following format guidelines.

Guidance for Locating and Completing Forms.

a. General. Please note that the application consists of the "application download" and the "instructions download." Forms referred to as "electronic" are part of the application download in grants.gov, and forms referred to as "attachments" are part of the instructions download in grants.gov.