Implementation of Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance

Volusia County, Florida is soliciting proposals under RFP 25-P-39MC to implement emergency rental and mortgage payment assistance for eligible low-income families, with a listed due date of January 29, 2025, which has passed. Eligibility is restricted to qualified non-profit organizations with offices located in Volusia County and experience with rental or mortgage assistance.

Selected organizations will process applications, conduct eligibility assessments and verification, determine assistance amounts, and pay mortgage companies, landlords, or property managers directly on behalf of eligible families. They must maintain accurate records and report on payments, participant data, and program outcomes. Eligibility turns on income, family size, housing costs, and other factors. Income ceilings are set at 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines effective July 1, 2024, including $30,120 for a single-person household and $62,400 for a four-person household, with $10,760 added for each member beyond eight. Any applicable state or federal requirements on receipt, management, or expenditure of funds apply as minimum program requirements. The draft agreement also requires compliance with ADA, E-Verify, public records, nondiscrimination, and drug-free workplace provisions.

Contractors must carry Florida statutory workers' compensation with waiver of subrogation, commercial general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 general aggregate, motor vehicle liability of $1,000,000 combined single limit, professional liability of $1,000,000 per claim and aggregate, and cyber coverage of $1,000,000 per claim and aggregate. Insurers must be licensed in Florida with an A.M. Best rating of A- and financial size category VIII or greater. Subcontractors must maintain identical coverage, and certificates of insurance are due before contract execution.

Up to $300,000 is available for the initial term, with an anticipated $450,000 for each optional renewal term, contingent on funding availability and prior-year performance of the selected organization. Administration costs are capped at 5% of funding and outreach costs at 15%. The agreement takes effect upon full execution and runs through September 30, 2025, with four optional one-year renewals by mutual written agreement. The County may terminate on thirty days' written notice or for non-appropriation of funds.