Tenant Education and Outreach Program

The purpose of the Tenant Education and Outreach (TEO) Program is to support tenant capacity building at eligible existing Project-Based Section 8 properties with the goal of preserving decent, safe, and sanitary housing within the Section 8 program.

The Tenant Education and Outreach (TEO) program is funded through Section 514 of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 (MAHRAA), which permits annual Section 8 appropriations to be made available for tenant capacity building and other related activities. The TEO program, as with previous efforts funded through MAHRAA, aims to build the capacity of tenants to be active partners in the preservation of at-risk Multifamily properties. Tenant capacity building is the process of developing and strengthening the skills, abilities, processes, and resources that tenants and tenant organizations need to be active partners in the preservation and improvement of their housing communities. The intermediary organization provides and oversees administration of sub-awards to local tenant organizations that serve Project-Based Section 8 properties. The TEO program empowers tenants to advocate for their concerns and engage collaboratively with assisted housing providers. The TEO program assists tenants in their efforts to work productively with property management, hold management accountable for property conditions, improve management and oversight of HUD-assisted multifamily properties, and advocate for the preservation of affordability.

Eligible applicants under this NOFO are non-profit and for-profit organizations with experience providing support and technical assistance to low-income tenants or tenant organizations. The recipient must have a record of at least one year of service to low-income tenants of multifamily housing properties or community-based tenant organizations in multiple communities and must have at least one year of experience with the allocation and administration of grant or loan funds. Applicants must demonstrate that they have the capacity to serve tenant organizations anywhere in the United States. Applicants may meet these requirements by submitting a joint application with an eligible co-applicant or co-applicants. To demonstrate a Co-Applicant partnership, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Letter of Agreement must be provided, signed by the executive of each entity. The MOU or Letter of Agreement must demonstrate a commitment to work collaboratively throughout the entirety of the period of performance, identify which party is the Lead Applicant, and describe the respective roles of each co-applicant. Eligible sub-recipients are groups of tenants of assisted multifamily housing properties or tenant-affiliated community-based non-profit organizations that serve at least 25 units of multifamily housing assisted under a project-based rental assistance contract.

Tenants of Project-Based Section 8 properties served by tenant organizations that receive sub-awards are the primary beneficiaries of TEO program activities.

The intermediary organization will not directly participate in advocacy activities but will focus on equipping tenants with skills and knowledge to advocate effectively for themselves. Through grants management support, training and technical assistance, the intermediary will build the capacity of tenant leaders to engage in productive discussions with owners and management agents on matters related to property conditions, preservation of affordability, and other decisions that affect their homes.To maximize the time tenant leaders devote to achieving the goals of the program, most of the administrative and financial management responsibilities will be placed on the intermediary organization. The intermediary's grant award will include funds up to $1.5 million for the administrative costs they will incur when making and managing the sub-awards. The intermediary will develop, in collaboration with each sub-recipient, each sub-recipient's program budget and anticipated use of Section 514 funds. The intermediary will monitor the sub-recipients' activities, funds expenditures, and performance reporting. The intermediary will assist tenant organizations who receive sub-awards in meeting two core goals: to establish productive relationships between owners and tenants so that they may work together on property conditions and other areas of mutual concern, and to encourage tenant engagement during key transitions at properties, which might include substantial rehabilitation, contract expiration, or changes in ownership. Eligible uses of the sub-awards include funding for board members and organizers to attend training events, resident service stipends for tenant organization board members, and funding for a resident outreach coordinator to promote active participation and connect tenants with resources. Other eligible costs include limited tenant organization overhead costs, such as meeting space rental, cell phones with digital cameras for photographing property issues, laptops, internet, printing, translation, and interpretation. While the focus of work by sub-recipients may vary across properties, the sub-awards will emphasize the long-term engagement of tenants to improve property conditions and enhance the overall quality of life at the property.

The Period of Performance for the intermediary will be 5 years from the date of execution of the Cooperative Agreement. The Period of Performance for the sub-recipients will be 3 years.

Specified in program NOFO.

See program NOFO and HUD General Section.

If an application for a sub-award is denied, the sub-applicant will have the right to appeal that denial to HUD if: -The sub-applicant has been rejected on the basis of a threshold requirement that they believe they meet; or -The sub-applicant was not provided an opportunity to resubmit technically deficient exhibits. The appeal must be made within 45 days of application rejection to: Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Multifamily Housing Programs Office of Asset Management and Portfolio Oversight, Program Administration Office 451 Seventh Street SW Room 6182 Washington DC 20410. HUD will make a binding determination within 45 days of the appeal.