CDBG - Tenant Based Rental Assistance

Dane County, Wisconsin is soliciting applications from organizations to operate a Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program funded through the Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program. The procurement seeks a qualified organization to provide rental assistance to low-income households, with funding targeting assistance for rent and security deposits within Dane County. Eligible participants must have a gross annual household income at or below 60% of the area median income, with rental assistance limited to 24 months and renewable based on fund availability. The evaluation criteria for this opportunity includes a comprehensive 105-point scoring system across seven key areas: National Objective-Need and Justification (30 points), Project Approach (30 points), Experience and Qualifications (15 points), Financial Information (15 points), Partnerships (5 points), Shovel-Ready Projects (5 points), and Past Performance (5 points). The RFP was released on April 17, 2024, with a vendor conference scheduled for April 25, 2024, and proposals due by May 31, 2024, at 2:00 pm through the county's eProcurement Portal.

Eligible applicants include public or private non-profit agencies, including faith-based organizations. The program requires the selected organization to manage tenant-based rental assistance, encompassing marketing, income eligibility screening, determining rental subsidies, ensuring unit compliance with NSPIRE standards, and managing housing assistance contracts. The total estimated HOME funding available is approximately $600,000 for 2025, with an additional $1,000,000 in unexpended funds from previous years. Participating organizations must focus on units located within Dane County, with potential waivers for contiguous counties. Participants will be required to contribute 30% of their adjusted monthly income towards rent and utilities, with the TBRA subsidy covering the difference between the household contribution and the HOME Rent Standard. Security deposit assistance is capped at two months' rent, and eligible units must be privately owned and pass annual inspections. The contract term is anticipated to begin in 2025, with funds available for reimbursement starting in April 2025.