2025 Supportive Housing Notice of Funding Availability

Orange County Housing and Community Development (OCHCD) has released the 2025 Supportive Housing Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to solicit proposals for affordable housing development across Orange County and San Francisco City. The procurement seeks qualified non-profit and for-profit developers to support the acquisition, new construction, and rehabilitation of supportive housing targeting extremely low-income households experiencing homelessness. The NOFA will make available up to $12.05 million in federal and local funds, including HOME, HOME-ARP, Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), 15G Reserves, and Housing Successor Agency funds. Eligible projects must include a minimum of five units and provide appropriate supportive services for the target population. Proposals will be accepted in stages from March 25, 2025, through the exhaustion of available funds, with a final submission deadline of December 31, 2026. Key evaluation criteria include the developer's ability to create permanent supportive housing, project feasibility, and alignment with the county's housing objectives. The NOFA will also provide up to 150 Project-Based Vouchers (PBVs) for qualifying households.

Respondents must demonstrate the capacity to develop supportive housing units restricted to extremely low-income households, with a particular focus on individuals with serious mental health conditions. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, the NOFA encourages developers to leverage additional funding sources such as low-income housing tax credits, bank loans, and other public and private financing. The county will offer loans with a 3% simple interest rate, a 55-year term, and repayment structured as residual receipts. Project rents will be limited to 30% of Area Median Income, and developers must utilize the Coordinated Entry System for tenant referrals. Potential award values range up to $12.05 million, with funding designed to fill financial gaps in project feasibility. Interested parties can contact Sherluna Vien or Michelle Zdeba at the Orange County Housing and Community Development department for additional information and clarification about the funding opportunity.