Housing Navigation Services

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) Recruitment, Retention and Talent Development division is seeking proposals for housing navigation services for teachers and staff, with proposals due July 30, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EST and a pre-proposal conference scheduled for July 22, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. via Teams. Vendors must acknowledge receipt by July 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

This is a Request for Information (RFI), which does not constitute a commitment to contract, and CMS will not reimburse vendors for proposal preparation costs. The services will operate as the CMS HOST (Housing Opportunities for Staff and Teachers) program, functioning as a concierge service connecting employees with the district's 49+ partner organizations offering discounts, below-market rates, free services, and down payment assistance. The scope includes assistance with rentals, home purchases, and understanding available benefits.

Evaluation criteria span six objectives: responsiveness within 24 business hours; needs assessment capabilities including income analysis and rapport-building; provision of personalized recommendations and partner connections; post-experience monitoring and data collection with monthly reporting requirements; participation in CMS recruitment and retention events; and transparent pricing structures. Vendors must detail how their proposed solution meets each criterion and describe their pricing model, including all time spent on due diligence, direct service, data analysis, reporting, and check-ins.

The procurement is driven by documented need: 43% of CMS teachers cite housing costs as a barrier to working in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region. The district serves over 150,000 students across 185 schools. Electronic submission in PDF format is required to Anthony Becker at anthonya.becker@cms.k12.nc.us; hard copies and faxed copies will not be accepted.