Notice of Funding Availability for Affordable Housing Development

The County of Solano has issued a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Affordable Housing Development, seeking qualified organizations to submit proposals for creating new affordable housing units using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The procurement targets developers, public agencies, and non-profit service providers to develop housing projects, with a specific focus on creating units for households between 50% and 80% of the area median income. Proposals must comprehensively detail the organization's capacity, project narrative, community impact, and alignment with the County's Housing Element, with potential bonus points for serving vulnerable populations such as elderly, veterans, or people with disabilities. Evaluation criteria will assess the project's ability to create affordable housing stock, demonstrate community need, and provide equitable access to housing opportunities. The solicitation was released on October 6, 2023, with a mandatory applicants' conference scheduled for October 17, 2023, via Microsoft Teams, and proposals are due by November 8, 2023, at 5:00 PM PST. The desired contract start date is February 1, 2024, with a potential one-year extension.

Eligible applicants include both non-profit and for-profit developers, with a preference for projects located in unincorporated areas of Solano County. The funding opportunity does not explicitly outline set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, but prioritizes projects that address housing cost burdens in the Vallejo-Fairfield Metropolitan Statistical Area. The total funding available is $3.2 million, with funding structures including low-interest 60-month loans at 3% and/or grants not exceeding $100,000. Funds must be fully obligated by September 30, 2024, and fully expended by December 31, 2026, with a requirement that 100% of awarded funds be spent prior to October 31, 2024. The contract will require strict compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and award conditions, including mandatory quarterly performance reporting and demonstrating equitable outcomes. Successful applicants will be responsible for maintaining proper accounting systems, ensuring funds are used for allowable purposes, and preventing fund supplantation of existing budgeted resources.