CDBG - Tenant Based Rental Assistance

Dane County is soliciting applications from organizations to operate a Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds. The procurement seeks public or private non-profit agencies to provide rental assistance services to low- and moderate-income households within Dane County, with a focus on helping residents afford housing costs through rental subsidies. Eligible activities include rental assistance and security deposit payments for participants with gross annual incomes at or below 60% of the area median income. The Request for Proposal (RFP) #42605-CDBG-TBRA requires electronic submission through the county's eProcurement Portal by June 11, 2025, at 2:00 pm, with potential oral presentations or site visits anticipated in August 2025. The evaluation process will score proposals across seven categories: national objective/need (20 points), project approach (35 points), experience and qualifications (15 points), financial information (15 points), partnerships (5 points), shovel-readiness (5 points), and past performance (5 points). The project term is expected to run through 2026, with rental assistance contracts not exceeding 24 months per participant.

The procurement is open to organizations serving Dane County Urban County Consortium member communities, which includes 56 municipalities as of October 1, 2024. While no specific set-aside designations are mentioned, the program prioritizes organizations with demonstrated capacity to serve low- and moderate-income populations. Previous funding recipients include The Salvation Army of Dane County ($80,000) and WayForward Resources ($175,000), suggesting a preference for organizations with existing community partnerships and proven track records in rental assistance programs. The estimated funding available for 2026 is up to $600,000, to be disbursed among several HOME Categories. Participants can use the rental assistance for privately-owned units within Dane County, with potential waivers for contiguous counties under certain conditions. The program has specific occupancy standards and unit eligibility requirements, including mandatory unit inspections and adherence to housing quality standards. The rental assistance is designed to cover the difference between the HOME Rent Standard and the household's contribution, typically 30% of adjusted monthly income.