Homelessness Prevention, Diversion, and Rapid Exit Program

The City of Raleigh, North Carolina, Housing and Community Development Department is requesting proposals for administration of a Homelessness Prevention, Diversion, and Rapid Exit Program, with proposals due October 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST and written questions due September 30, 2026.

The program targets three populations: households at imminent risk of homelessness, individuals and families experiencing homelessness diverted from shelter, and those in emergency shelter transitioned to permanent housing. The awardee will administer financial assistance payments to third parties on behalf of clients, including rent, utilities, relocation costs, and transportation; individual household assistance is capped at $7,500 unless otherwise approved by the City. The awardee must implement cash transfer programs, maintain data quality in the HMIS system, coordinate with the Wake County Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry System, provide real-time assistance within one business day, enter client data into HMIS within 24 hours, maintain flexible service hours and multiple service locations, and participate in monthly oversight meetings tracking prevention, diversion, and rapid exit performance metrics. Proposers must demonstrate experience implementing similar cash transfer programs and maintaining HMIS data quality in the past two years.

The City anticipates approximately $500,000 available for the program on a not-to-exceed basis, subject to appropriation of funds. The contract will be on a term basis with service delivery terms to be defined.

Evaluation is weighted as follows: corporate background and experience (30%), project understanding (25%), project approach (25%), and proposed cost (20%). Proposals must include a cover letter, corporate background with at least three references, project understanding and approach narrative, detailed cost schedules with fully burdened hourly rates, completed proposal cost form, proposer questionnaire, reference questionnaires, and any exceptions to RFP terms. The evaluation meeting is anticipated for October 28, 2026, with selection announcement tentative for November 4, 2026.