Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program Technical Correction final_FR-6500-N-39 (1).pdf

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Community Planning and Development

Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program Technical Correction

FR-6500-N-39

07/30/2021

Table of Contents Overview

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Program Description

B. Authority

II. Award Information

A. Available Funds

B. Number of Awards

C. Minimum/Maximum Award Information

D. Period of Performance

E. Type of Funding Instrument

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

B. Ineligible Applicants

C. Cost Sharing or Matching

D. Threshold Eligibility Requirements

E. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements Affecting Eligibility

F. Program-Specific Requirements

G. Criteria for Beneficiaries

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Obtaining an Application Package

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

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

D. Application Submission Dates and Times

E. Intergovernmental Review

F. Funding Restrictions

G. Other Submission Requirements

V. Application Review Information

A. Review Criteria

B. Review and Selection Process

VI. Award Administration Information

A. Award Notices

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

C. Reporting

D. Debriefing

VII. Agency Contact(s)

VIII. Other Information

APPENDIX

Program Office:

Community Planning and Development Funding Opportunity Title:

Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program Technical Correction Funding Opportunity Number:

FR-6500-N-39

Primary CFDA Number:

14.278 Due Date for Applications:

07/30/2021 Overview The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issues this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to invite applications from eligible applicants for the program and purpose described within this NOFO. Prospective applicants should carefully read all instructions in all sections to avoid sending an incomplete or ineligible application. HUD funding is highly competitive. Failure to respond accurately to any submission requirement could result in an incomplete or noncompetitive proposal.

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

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

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

OMB Approval Number(s):

2506-0213

I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION.

A. Program Description.

1. Purpose The purpose of the Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot Program (VHRMP) is to explore the potential benefits of awarding grants to nonprofit organizations to rehabilitate and modify the primary residence of veterans who are low-income and have disabilities. The funds made available under this program will be awarded competitively.

A number of America’s veterans who are low-income and have disabilities are in need of adaptive housing to help them regain or maintain their independence, are unable to fund significant home repairs, or are burdened by utility costs. In partnership with the U.S.

Department of Veterans Affairs, HUD designed the VHRMP to test a new approach to address these challenges in accordance with section 1079 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291, §1079, enacted December 19, 2014, as amended by Public Law 114-92, §1081(b)(4), November 25, 2015). The VHRMP provides competitive grants of up to $1 million each to nonprofit organizations that provide nationwide or statewide programs that primarily serve veterans and/or low-income individuals. The grants may be used to modify or rehabilitate eligible veterans’ primary residences or to provide grantees’ affiliates with technical, administrative, and training support in connection with those services. The performance goals and required output and outcome measures for these grants are discussed in section VI.C.6 of this NOFO.

In the FY 2021 competition of VHRMP grants, HUD will award up to $9,445,988 including$ 4 million in new funding provided under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260, approved December 27, 2020), $4 million in the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116-94), and $1,445,988 in remaining VHRMP funding provided under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115-141) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (Public Law 116-06).

2. Changes from Previous NOFO.

Today’s publication corrects certain sections of the NOFO published on April 21, 2021.

Potential applicants should review carefully this technical correction notice and determine how this impacts the application they had prepared before issuance of this notice and, thus, whether they choose to submit an updated application which incorporates these corrections and clarifications related to this notice. Applicants who submitted their applications prior to this technical correction notice can choose to submit an updated application that reflects the corrections and clarifications but are not required to if they determine no changes are needed for their application. The last version of the application received by Grants.gov by the deadline date, in accordance with the timely receipt requirements, will be the application that is reviewed and rated.

Technical Corrections

1. On page 10, as a result of changes made to the regulations at 24 CFR Part 75, the definition of Section 3 Business Concern has been updated to: (1) A business concern meeting at least one of the following criteria, documented within the last six-month period:

(i) It is at least 51 percent owned and controlled by low- or very low-income persons;

(ii) Over 75 percent of the labor hours performed for the business over the prior three-month period are performed by Section 3 workers; or

(iii) It is a business at least 51 percent owned and controlled by current public housing residents or residents who currently live in Section 8-assisted housing.

(2) The status of a Section 3 business concern shall not be negatively affected by a prior arrest or conviction of its owner(s) or employees.

(3) Nothing in this part shall be construed to require the contracting or subcontracting of a Section 3 business concern. Section 3 business concerns are not exempt from meeting the specifications of the contract.

2. On page 10, as a result of changes made to the regulations at 24 CFR Part 75, the definition of Section 3 Project has been added.

3. On page 10, as a result of changes made to the regulations at 24 CFR Part 75, the definition of Section 3 Residents has been updated to the definition of Section 3 Worker.

4. On page 10, as a result of changes made to the regulations at 24 CFR Part 75, the definition of Targeted Section 3 Worker has been added.

5. On page 11, as a result of changes made to the regulations at 24 CFR Part 75, the definition of Youthbuild programs has been added.

6. On page 30, the section on Section 3 Compliance (5 points) has been edited to: Your work plan must describe your strategy for providing employment and training opportunities arising in connection with Section 3 projects to Section 3 workers within the metropolitan area (or nonmetropolitan county) in which the project is located. Your work plan must also describe your strategy for awarding contracts arising in connection with Section 3 projects to Section 3 business concerns, YouthBuild programs, or business concerns that provide economic opportunities to Section 3 workers residing within the metropolitan area (or nonmetropolitan county) in which the project is located.

7. On pages 30 and 31, changes to the bullet points under Section 3 Compliance have been made.

The following changes have been made from the previous NOFO:

I. Funding Opportunity Descriptions, A. Program Description, Section 4-Program Definitions: Irrelevant and obsolete terms as it relates to VHRMP have been removed.

II. Award Information, D. Period of Performance, Length of Project Periods: The Period of Performance language has been changed to, "The Period of Performance and Budget Period for each grant are 36 months."

IV. Application and Submission, F. Funding Restriction and VI. Award Administration Information, B. Statutory and Administrative, National and Department Requirements for HUD Recipients: Both sections were revised to include Uniform Relocation and Real Property Acquisition Act of 1970 (URA) and its possible application to VHRMP projects.

V. Application Review Information, Other Factors: Projects located in Promise Zones may be considered for preference points.

3. Definitions.

a. Standard Definitions

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

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

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

1) Grant;

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

3. Loans;

4. Loan guarantees;

5. Subsidies;

6. Insurance;

7. Food commodities;

8. Direct appropriations;

9. Assessed or voluntary contributions; or

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

b. Federal Financial Assistancedoes not include:

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

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

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

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

Contract means, for the purpose of Federal financial assistance, a legal instrument by which a recipient or subrecipient purchases property or services needed to carry out the project or program under a Federal award. For additional information on contractor and subrecipient determinations see 2 CFR 200.331.

Contractor means an entity that receives a contract as defined in 2 CFR 200.1.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(2) of the definitions of Federal financial assistance in 2 CFR §200.1, or the cost-reimbursement contract awarded under the Federal Acquisition Regulations.

3. Federal award does not include other contracts that a Federal agency uses to buy goods or services from a contractor or a contract to operate Federal Government owned, contractor operated facilities (GOCOs).

4. See also definitions of Federal financial assistance, grant agreement, and cooperative agreement.

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

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

Opportunity Zone (OZs) are defined in 26 U.S.C. 1400Z-1. In general, OZs are census tracts located in low-income communities where new investments, under certain conditions, may be eligible for preferential tax treatment.

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

Promise Zones (PZs) are high poverty communities where the federal government partners with local leaders to increase economic activity, improve educational opportunities, leverage private investment, reduce violent crime, enhance public health and address other priorities identified by the community.

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

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

The definition of "small"—in terms of being able to apply for government support and qualify for preferential tax policy—varies by country and industry. The U.S. Small Business Administration defines a small business according to a set of standards based on specific industries.{e-CFR Title 13-Chapter I – Part 121}

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

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0ff5f0839abff4eec707b4478ed733c6&mc=true&node=pt13.1.121&rgn=div5&se13.1.121_1101

Subrecipient means an entity, usually but not limited to non-Federal entities, that receives a subaward from a pass-through entity to carry out part of a Federal award but does not include an individual that is a beneficiary of such award. A subrecipient may also be a recipient of other Federal awards directly for a Federal awarding agency.

System for Award Management (SAM) means the Federal Repository into which an entity must provide information required for the conduct of business as a recipient. Registration with SAM is required for submission of applications via Grants.gov. You can access the website athttps://www.sam.gov/SAM/. There is no cost to use SAM.

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

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

4. Program Definitions

(1) Affiliate – (1) a local public or private nonprofit housing organization which is a subordinate organization (i.e., chapter, local, post, or unit) of a central organization and covered by the group exemption letter issued to the central organization under Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a local public or private nonprofit housing organization with which the applicant has an existing relationship (e.g., the applicant has provided technical assistance or funding to the local housing organization); or (3) a local public or private nonprofit housing organization with which the applicant does not have an existing relationship, but to which the applicant will provide necessary technical assistance and mentoring as part of funding under the application.

(2) Eligible veteran – The term "eligible veteran" means a veteran as defined by 38 U.S.C. 101 who is low-income and has a disability as defined under section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12102).

(3) Equity- the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities;

lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities;

persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.

(4) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)-The Higher Education Act of 1965 defines historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) as "any historically Black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of Black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary to be a reliable authority as to the quality of https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation..."

(5) Letter of Firm Commitment – A letter of commitment from an applicant’s partner organization by which the partner (a) agrees to perform an activity specified in the application,

(b) demonstrates the financial capacity to deliver the resources necessary to carry out the activity, and (c) commits the resources to the activity, either in cash or through in-kind contributions. It is irrevocable, subject only to approval and receipt of an FY 2021 VHRMP grant. Each letter of commitment must include the partner organization's name and applicant's name, reference VHRMP, and describe the proposed total level of commitment and responsibilities, expressed in dollar value for cash or in-kind contributions, as they relate to the proposed program. The commitment must be written on the letterhead of the participating organization, must be signed by an official of the organization legally able to make commitments on behalf of the organization, and must be dated no earlier than the date of publication of this NOFO. In documenting a firm commitment, the applicant's partner must:

1. Specify the authority by which the commitment is made, the amount of the commitment, the proposed use of funds, and the relationship of the commitment to the proposed investment. If the committed activity is to be self-financed, the applicant's partner must demonstrate its financial capability through a corporate or personal financial statement or other appropriate means; and

2. Affirm that the firm commitment is contingent only upon the receipt of VHRMP funds and state a willingness on the part of the signatory to sign a legally binding agreement (conditioned upon HUD's environmental review and approval of a property, where applicable) upon award of the grant.

(6) Low-income – The term “low-income" means not having income that is more than 80 percent of the median income for an area, as determined by the Secretary.

(7) Matching contributions - “Matching contributions” means contributions that meet the matching requirements in 2 CFR 200.306, which may include in-kind contributions but do not include leveraged resources, as described in section V.A.1 of this NOFO.

(8) Nonprofit organization – an organization that is –

(A) described in section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and

(B) exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code.

(9) Primary Residence- "Primary Residence" means a single-family house, a duplex, or a unit within a multiple-dwelling structure that is the principal dwelling of an eligible veteran and is owned by:

1. The eligible veteran;

2. The eligible veteran’s spouse, child, grandchild, parent, or sibling;

3. A spouse of the eligible veteran’s child, grandchild, parent, or sibling; or

4. Any individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with the eligible veteran is the equivalent of a family relationship.

(10) Secretary – The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Section 3 Business Concern, as defined at 24 CFR 75.5,means

(1) A business concern meeting at least one of the following criteria, documented within the last six-month period:

(i) It is at least 51 percent owned and controlled by low- or very low-income persons;

(ii) Over 75 percent of the labor hours performed for the business over the prior three-month period are performed by Section 3 workers; or

(iii) It is a business at least 51 percent owned and controlled by current public housing residents or residents who currently live in Section 8-assisted housing.

(2) The status of a Section 3 business concern shall not be negatively affected by a prior arrest or conviction of its owner(s) or employees.

(3) Nothing in this part shall be construed to require the contracting or subcontracting of a Section 3 business concern. Section 3 business concerns are not exempt from meeting the specifications of the contract.

(12) Section 3 Project, as defined at 24 CFR 75.3(a)(2)(i), means:

housing rehabilitation, housing construction, and other public construction projects assisted under HUD programs that provide housing and community development financial assistance when the total amount of assistance to the project exceeds a threshold of $200,000. The threshold is $100,000 where the assistance is from the Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes programs, as authorized by Sections 501 or 502 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 (12 U.S.C. 1701z-1 or 1701z-2), the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act (42 U.S.C 4801 et seq.); and the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C.

4851 et seq.). The project is the site or sites together with any building(s) and improvements located on the site(s) that are under common ownership, management, and financing.

(13) Section 3 Worker, as defined at 24 CFR 75.5, means:

(1) any worker who currently fits or when hired within the past five years fit at least one of the following categories, as documented:

i. The worker’s income for the previous or annualized calendar year is below the income limit established by HUD.

ii. The worker is employed by a Section 3 business concern.

iii. The worker is a YouthBuild participant.

(2) The status of a Section 3 worker shall not be negatively affected by a prior arrest or conviction.

(3) Nothing in this part shall be construed to require the employment of someone who meets this definition of a Section 3 worker. Section 3 workers are not exempt from meeting the qualifications of the position to be filled.

(14) Targeted Section 3 Worker, as defined at 24 CFR 75.21, for housing and community development financial assistance means a Section 3 worker who is:

(1) A worker employed by a Section 3 business concern; or

(2) A worker who currently fits or when hired fit at least one of the following categories, as documented within the past five years:

(i) Living within the service area or the neighborhood of the project, as defined in § 75.5; or

(ii) A YouthBuild participant

(15) Underserved Communities- populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, as exemplified by the list in the preceding definition of “equity.”

(16) Veteran – "Veteran" has the meaning given the term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.

(17) Veterans Service Organization – Any organization recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code. Recognized VSOs include those organizations that are “federally chartered and/or recognized or approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for purposes of preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs.” For the directory of Veterans Service Organizations, visit https://www.va.gov/vso/.

B. Authority.

This NOFO is authorized by section 1079 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291, §1079, December 19, 2014, as amended by Public Law 114-92, §1089, November 25, 2015; 38 U.S.C.

2101) and is funded by Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115-141), the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019 (Public Law 116-06), the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116-94) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260, approved December 27, 2020).

II. Award Information.

A. Available Funds Funding of approximately $ 9,445,988 is available through this NOFO.

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

B. Number of Awards.

HUD expects to make approximately 10 awards from the funds available under this NOFO.

C. Minimum/Maximum Award Information Grants will be competitively awarded up to $1 million per project maximum to selected applicants.

https://www.va.gov/vso/

Estimated Total Funding:

$ 9,445,988 Minimum Award Amount:

$ 700,000 Per Project Period

Maximum Award Amount:

$ 1,000,000 Per Project Period

D. Period of Performance Recipients will have 36 months from the date that HUD signs the grant agreement to complete all project activities.

Estimated Project Start Date:

02/01/2022 Estimated Project End Date:

02/01/2025 Length of Project Periods:

Other

Length of Periods Explanation of Other:

The Period of Performance and Budget Period for each grant are 36 months.

E. Type of Funding Instrument.

Funding Instrument Type:

G (Grant) III. Eligibility Information.

A. Eligible Applicants.

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

Additional Information on Eligibility To be eligible for a VHRMP grant, each applicant must meet both of the following criteria: (1) The organization must be described in section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19)) and be exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code (26 U.S.C. 501(a)); and (2) The organization must provide nationwide or statewide programs that primarily serve veterans or low-income individuals.

B. Ineligible Applicants.

Individuals, foreign entities, sole proprietorship organizations, and other entities that do not meet the criteria in Section III.A of this NOFO are not eligible to compete for, or receive, awards made under this announcement.

C. Cost Sharing or Matching.

This Program requires cost sharing or matching as described below.

Recipients will be required to provide matching contributions as provided under section 1079(b)(6) of the Carl Levin and Howard P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015. Specifically, each recipient shall contribute towards the housing modification and rehabilitation services provided to eligible veterans an amount equal to not less than 50 percent of the grant award received. In order to meet the requirement, recipients may arrange for in-kind contributions. All matching contributions (including matching funds and in-kind contributions) must meet the requirements of 2 CFR 200.306. Leveraged resources, as described in section V.A.1 of this NOFO, will not count as matching contributions.

D. Threshold Eligibility Requirements.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6. Dismissal of charges.

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

3. The application must receive a minimum rating score of 75 points to be considered for funding.

4. HUD will only fund eligible applicants as defined in this NOFO under Section III.A.

E. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements Affecting Eligibility.

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

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

F. Program-Specific Requirements.

Each recipient under the VHRMP shall modify or rehabilitate the primary residence of an eligible veteran at no cost to such veteran (including application fees) or at a cost such that the eligible veteran pays no more than 30 percent of his or her income in housing costs during any month. “Housing costs” means the total of any mortgage loan principal and interest, real estate taxes, and insurance for the residence, plus any loan principal and interest or other costs the eligible veteran must pay for the modification and rehabilitation.

https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps

Each recipient must use one of the following income definitions for all income determinations under VHRMP: annual income as defined at 24 CFR 5.609; or adjusted gross income as defined for purposes of reporting under the IRS Form 1040 series for individual Federal annual income tax purposes.

Grant awards under this NOFO will be subject to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 CFR Part 200, as may be amended from time to time.

Only housing that is the primary residence of an eligible veteran may be modified or rehabilitated under this program, and the eligible veteran or his or her family member must certify in writing that the veteran intends the housing to continue to be his or her primary residence for at least five years after the modification or rehabilitation is completed.

Each recipient must establish housing standards which require that all houses rehabilitated and/or modified under the VHRMP program meet all applicable State or local building codes, ordinances, and requirements or, in the absence of a State or local building code, the International Existing Building Code of the International Code Council.

Accessibility features must comply with HUD's Physical Accessibility Requirements as explained in section VI.B of this NOFO.

G. Criteria for Beneficiaries.

This program serves veterans who are low-income and have disabilities as defined by 42 U.S.C.

12102. A veteran is defined at 38 U.S.C. 101. For the purposes of the VHRMP, low-income veterans are veterans whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the area median income, as determined by the Secretary. The veteran must intend to continue making the unit their primary residence for at least five years after the modification or rehabilitation is completed.

IV. Application and Submission Information.

A. Obtaining an Application Package.

Instructions for Applicants.

You must download both the Application Instructions and the Application Package from Grants.gov. You must verify that the Assistance Listing Number and Assistance Listing Description on the first page of the Application Package, and the Funding Opportunity Title and the Funding Opportunity Number match the Program and NOFO to which you are applying.

The Application Package contains the portable document forms (PDFs) available on Grants.gov, such as the SF-424 Family. The Instruction Download contains official copies of the NOFO 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 Number is not 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 mailed, shipped, or emailed request at least 15 calendar days before the application deadline and if you do not demonstrate good cause. If HUD waives the requirement, HUD must receive your paper application before the deadline of this NOFO. To request a waiver, you must contact:

Name:

Jackie L. Williams Email:

Jovette.G.Gadson@hud.gov HUD Organization:

ORHED

Street:

451 7th St. SW, Room 7240 City:

Washington State:

DC DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Zip:

20410 1.Contact for Further Questions. For information concerning the VHRMP, contact Jovette Gadson, Senior Community Planning and Development Specialist, Office of Rural Housing and Economic Development, Office of Community Planning and Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW, Room 7240, Washington, DC 20410-7000; telephone 1-877-787-2526 (this is a toll-free number) or (202) 708-2290 (this is not a toll-free number). Persons with speech or hearing impairments may access this number via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Information Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

2. Waiver of the Electronic Submission Requirement. You must submit your application electronically via Grants.gov or request a waiver of the electronic application submission requirement from HUD. If HUD grants you a waiver, your paper application must be received at HUD Headquarters by the application deadline date. Refer to Section VI.A. of this NOFO. If HUD does not grant you a waiver, you must follow the instructions for electronic application submission. You must submit your waiver request, including your justification, in writing or using e-mail. You must submit your waiver request no later than 15 days prior to the application deadline date. Waiver requests must be submitted to: Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Program c/o Jackie Williams, Application Waiver Request, Office of Rural Housing and Economic Development by e-mail: jackie.williams@hud.gov. If HUD grants you a waiver, you must submit your paper application in accordance with the requirements stated in HUD's waiver approval.

3. Paper Applications. A paper application will not be accepted from an applicant that has not been granted a waiver of the electronic application submission requirement. If HUD has granted you a waiver, your paper application must be received by HUD on or before the application deadline date.

4. Facsimiles and Videos. HUD will not accept an application, third-party documents or other materials sent by facsimile (fax). Videos cannot be submitted via the Grants.gov system and will not be accepted as a separate submission. Any video submitted as part of an application will not be reviewed.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission.

You must verify that boxes 11, 12, and 13 on the SF-424 match the NOFO 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 Assistance Listing and Funding Opportunity Number is non curable unless otherwise stated in Threshold requirements.

1. Content.

Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement Notes/Description

Application for Federal Assistance

(SF424)

Submission is required for all applicants by the application due date.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SFLLL), if applicable

HUD will provide instructions to grantees on how the form is to be submitted.

If any funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this commitment providing for the United States to insure or guarantee a loan, the applicant shall complete and submit the SF-LLL, "Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying," in accordance with its instructions.

Applicants must furnish an executed copy of the Certification Regarding Lobbying prior to award.

HUD Applicant Recipient Disclosure Report (HUD) 2880

HUD will provide instructions to grantees on how the

HUD instructions to grantees are provided by webcast, To view the webcast, click here.

http://media.gss.hud.gov:8080/WC/2011/02/11/HUDForm2880.wmv

Forms/Assurances/Certifications Submission Requirement Notes/Description

Applicant/Recipient Disclosure/Update Report form is to be submitted.

HUD Form 424-CB: Grant Application Detailed Budget Form

The HUD Grant Application Detailed Budget Form is designed so that an application can be made for any of HUD's grant programs.

HUD Form 424-CBW: Grant Application Detailed Budget Worksheet

The HUD Grant Application Detailed Budget Worksheet is designed so that an application can be made for any of HUD's grant programs. It is used to provide detailed budget information regarding a proposed program. If the program requires for providing program activity information, it is necessary to use a separate HUD-424- CBW to provide information related to each program activity.

HUD-2996 Opportunity Zones Preference Points Available in Application Package

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

An abstract or summary with: (a) the dollar amount requested, matching contributions (including matching funds and/or in-kind contributions), and leveraging, if applicable; (b) information that classifies your organization as a nonprofit organization that provides nationwide or statewide programs that primarily serve veterans or low-income individuals; (c) the approximate number of veterans your organization intends to serve using grant funds; (d) a description of the type of work that will be conducted, such as interior home modifications, energy efficiency improvements, and other similar categories of work; (e) a plan for working with the Department of Veterans Affairs and veterans service organizations to identify veterans who are not eligible for programs under chapter 21 of title 38, United States Code, and meet their needs; and (f) a plan of action detailing outreach initiatives. Please note that the abstract or summary is not rated.

The 15-page narrative is rated.

Documentation of funds pledged in support of Rating Factor 4 - "Leveraging Resources."

This documentation, which will not be counted in the 15-page limitation, must be in the form of a "letter of firm commitment" as defined in Section I.A.3.b. (Program Definitions) of this NOFO.

A copy of your organization's IRS ruling providing tax-exempt status under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Fifteen-page Narrative response to Factors for Award as described in Section V. of this

NOFO.

Environmental Assurance Statement that states the following: (Applicant) agrees to assist HUD to comply with 24 CFR part 50 and that it shall: (1) supply HUD with all available, relevant information necessary for HUD to perform for each property any environmental review required by 24 CFR Part 50; (2) carry out mitigating measures required by HUD or select alternate eligible property; and (3) not modify or rehabilitate property, nor commit or expend HUD or local funds for these program activities with respect to any eligible property, until HUD approval of the property is received.

2. Format and Form.

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

15 Pages maximum length of narratives

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

1. All pages of the application must be numbered sequentially.

2. The application must have a table of contents.

3. All applicants are required to respond to the following factors in their 15-page narrative

(see Section V. of this NOFA for further details.):

Rating Factor 1 - Relevant Organizational Experience;

Rating Factor 2 - Need and Extent of the Problem;

Rating Factor 3 - Soundness of Approach;

Rating Factor 4 - Leveraging Resources; and Rating Factor 5 - Achieving Results and Program Evaluation.

Please note that although submitting pages in excess of the page limit will not disqualify your application. HUD will not consider or review the information on any excess pages, and if you place key information on those pages, you may fail to meet a threshold requirement.

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

1. SAM Registration Requirement.

Applicants must be registered with https://www.sam.gov/ before submitting their application.

Applicants must maintain current information in SAM on immediate and highest-level owner and subsidiaries, as well as on all predecessors that have been awarded a Federal contract or grant within the last three years, if applicable. Information in SAM must be current for all times during which the applicant has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by HUD.

2. DUNS Number Requirement.

Applicants must provide a valid DUNS number, registered and active at https://www.sam.gov/ in the application. DUNS numbers may be obtained for free from Dun & Bradstreet.

3. Requirement to Register with Grants.gov.

Anyone planning to submit applications on behalf of an organization must register at grants.gov and be approved by the E-Biz POC in SAM to submit applications for the organization.

Registration for SAM and grants.gov is a multi-step process and can take four (4) weeks or longer to complete if data issues arise. Applicants without a valid registration cannot apply through grants.gov. Complete registration instructions and guidance are provided on grants.gov.

D. Application Submission Dates and…