[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 31, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16741-16751]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06595]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
[Docket No. FR-6256-N-01]
Tribal HUD-VASH Expansion; Notice of Rating Factors
AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian
Housing, HUD.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The 2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act provided $7 million
for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to use
for the Tribal HUD-VASH demonstration program. HUD-VASH is a
collaborative program between HUD and the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) that combines HUD housing vouchers with VA supportive
services to help Veterans who are homeless and their families find and
sustain permanent housing. The 2017 Appropriations Act also requires
HUD to publish in the Federal Register the ``need'' and
``administrative capacity'' review and selection criteria HUD includes
in the Tribal HUD-VASH Notice of Funding Availability.
This Notice does not provide information on the application
process. Those seeking to review all of the NOFA's content and/or apply
for funds may do so at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=330966.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hilary Atkin, Department of Housing
and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street SW, Room 4108, Washington, DC
20410-8000; telephone (202) 402-3427 (this is not a toll-free number).
[[Page 16742]]
Individuals with speech or hearing impairments may access this number
through TTY by calling the Federal Information Relay Service at (800)
877-8339 (this is a toll-free number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Tribal HUD-VA Supportive Housing (Tribal HUD-VASH)
demonstration program was established under the Consolidated and
Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235, approved
December 16, 2014) (2015 Appropriations Act), and provides grants to
Indian Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs) eligible
to receive block grants under the Native American Housing Assistance
and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA). Grantees use HUD funding
towards rental assistance for Native American Veterans who are homeless
or at risk of homelessness, living on or near a reservation or other
Indian areas.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Pub. L. 115-31, approved
May 5, 2017) (2017 Appropriations Act) provided HUD with $7 million for
the Tribal HUD-VASH demonstration program. Congress directed HUD to use
this funding to provide renewal grants to the original Indian Tribes
and TDHEs that received funding under the demonstration program. After
awarding renewal funding, Congress authorized HUD to use any remaining
amounts appropriated to fund new grants.
On May 22, 2018, HUD published a Notice in the Federal Register,
titled ``Implementation of the Tribal HUD-VA Supportive Housing
Program,'' 83 FR 23710, that consolidated all Tribal HUD-VASH program
requirements, provided application and submission information, and
established HUD's procedures for issuing renewal funding subject to the
availability of future appropriations. In September 2018, HUD provided
the original 26 Indian Tribes and TDHEs participating in the program
with $3,765,568 of the $7 million in renewal funding.
In accordance with the 2017 Appropriations Act, HUD published a
Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) on January 15, 2021, announcing
the availability of the remaining $3,234,432 in FY 2017 funding for new
Tribal HUD-VASH grants and establishing the criteria HUD would use to
award these new grants. For Tribal HUD-VASH funds, the 2017
Appropriations Act provides that ``funds shall be awarded based on
need, and administrative capacity established by the Secretary [of HUD]
in a Notice published in the Federal Register . . . .'' Public Law 115-
31, div. K, tit. II, 131 Stat. 135, 762. This Notice fulfills this
requirement by restating the rating criteria HUD established in the
NOFA, including Section V.A., ``Review Criteria'' and Section V.B. on
the ``Review and Selection Process.''
Those seeking to review all of the NOFA's content, or those seeking
to apply for Tribal HUD-VASH funds, may do so at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=330966.
II. Tribal HUD-VASH Expansion: Rating Criteria and Review and Selection
Process Information
The review criteria and information on the review and selection
process contained in Sections V.A. and V.B. in the ``Tribal HUD-VASH
Expansion'' NOFA, published January 15, 2021, at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=330966, are
reproduced herein:
V. Application Review Information.
A. Review Criteria
1. Rating Factors
The factors for rating and ranking Tribal HUD-VASH applications and
the points for each factor are explained below. A maximum of 100 points
may be awarded under Rating Factors 1, 2, and 3. To be considered for
funding, an application must receive a minimum of 20 points under
Rating Factor 1 and 35 points under Rating Factor 3. Applicants that do
not meet the minimum score for each of these rating factors are
ineligible to receive an award through the competition. Eligible
applicants must receive an overall total of at least 75 points to be
considered for funding.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rating factor Factor title Points
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Rating Factor 1................ CAPACITY OF THE APPLICANT 30
(Minimum of 20 points needed
to meet threshold
requirement).
Subfactor 1.1.............. Managerial and Technical Staff 6
Subfactor 1.2.............. Technical Capacity............ 6
Subfactor 1.3.............. Findings...................... 6
Subfactor 1.4.............. Timely Reporting.............. 6
Subfactor 1.5.............. Expenditures.................. 6
Rating Factor 2................ NEED.......................... 20
Subfactor 2.1.............. Identified Needs.............. 10
Subfactor 2.2.............. Supporting Information........ 5
Subfactor 2.3.............. Severity of the Problem....... 5
Rating Factor 3................ CAPACITY TO ADMINISTER THE 50
PROGRAM (Minimum of 35 points
needed to meet threshold
requirement).
Subfactor 3.1.............. Implementation Plan and 10
Schedule.
Subfactor 3.2.............. Availability of Housing Stock. 10
Subfactor 3.3.............. Budget........................ 10
Subfactor 3.4.............. Coordination with Department 10
of Veterans Affairs.
Subfactor 3.5.............. Coordination with Partners.... 5
Subfactor 3.6.............. Outputs and Outcomes.......... 5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Points (Minimum of 75 points needed to meet 100
threshold requirement).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rating Factor 1: Capacity of the Applicant
Maximum Points: 30
Subfactor 1.1. Managerial and Technical Staff
Maximum Points: 6
Applicants must demonstrate that they possess or can obtain the
managerial and technical staff necessary to implement a Tribal HUD-VASH
grant.
The applicant must address the following components in its workplan
narrative. If the applicant does not currently have the managerial or
technical staff, then the applicant must address how it will obtain
staff to manage and/or other assistance (e.g., contractors,
consultants, subaward, etc.) to help manage and implement the
[[Page 16743]]
program, and how it will ensure that all are qualified in accordance
with the following components:
1. A description of the knowledge and experience of key staff,
including the program manager, that will implement the Tribal HUD-VASH
program;
2. Discussion of relevant training or experience working with
homeless and/or at risk of homelessness populations or Veterans;
3. Understanding of supportive housing and other evidence-based
practices used by Tribal HUD-VASH;
4. Recent housing experience of key staff (within 5 years);
5. Any successful accomplishments related to working with the
homeless, at risk of homelessness population, or Veterans. Successful
accomplishments include producing measurable impact on the quality and/
or quantity of housing affecting the tribal homeless community. Some
indicators of success may include a description of key outcomes (e.g.,
reduction of homeless population rate, innovative homeless self-
sufficiency programs, etc.), overall impact of the accomplishment,
award recognition, etc.; and
6. The extent to which the program manager's time commitments and
other key program personnel are appropriate and adequate to meet the
program's objectives.
Applicants proposing the construction, acquisition, or
rehabilitation of units to house Veterans assisted under the Tribal
HUD-VASH program must also include the following components in its
workplan narrative:
7. Qualifications and relevant experience of staff, contractors,
consultants, and sub-grantees for the project; and
8. Applicant's own experience in implementing new housing
construction, acquisition, or rehabilitation projects.
HUD will award points as follows:
(6 points)
The applicant thoroughly addresses all components outlined in this
Subfactor. The applicant already has its own managerial and technical
staff to implement a Tribal HUD-VASH grant.
(5 points)
The applicant does not currently have its own managerial or
technical staff to implement a Tribal HUD-VASH grant. However, the
applicant thoroughly addresses how it will obtain qualified staff and/
or other assistance (e.g., contractors, consultants, subrecipient,
etc.) needed to manage and implement the program based on the
components outlined in this Subfactor.
(4 points)
The applicant adequately addressed this Subfactor but was either
missing one of the components outlined in this Subfactor or the
applicant addressed all of the required components but lacked detail to
warrant full points under this Subfactor.
(3 points)
The applicant adequately addressed this Subfactor but was missing
2-3 of the components outlined in this Subfactor.
(0 points)
The application did not include any of the information described
above to receive points under this Subfactor or the applicant addressed
this Subfactor but was missing 4 or more components.
Subfactor 1.2. Technical Capacity
Maximum Points: 6
The applicant must address the measures that have been taken, or
that it will take to ensure that it will implement policies and
procedures for managing the Tribal HUD-VASH program.
The applicant should explain how its policies and procedures
address the following components:
1. How it will comply with program requirements and procedures to
ensure that its key personnel have the information and tools they need
to manage the program;
2. Steps for managing waiting lists;
3. Coordination efforts with VA and HUD staff;
4. Implementing program obligations (e.g., participating in regular
meetings, coordination and outreach efforts, etc.), and
5. Implementation of how supportive housing and other evidence-
based practices will be integrated with Tribal HUD-VASH veterans.
Applicants proposing to construct, rehabilitate, or acquire units
for eligible Veterans must also address the following component:
6. The steps it will take to oversee the proper implementation of
the parties (e.g., contractor, consultants, subrecipient, etc.)
responsible for completing the project.
Applicants with existing Tribal HUD-VASH policies may submit their
existing policies as supporting documentation under this Subfactor.
Resources about program requirements and procedures can be found
online: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/ih/tribalhudvash.
(6 points)
The applicant thoroughly addresses the measures that have been
taken or that it will take to ensure that it will implement policies
and procedures for managing the Tribal HUD-VASH program based on the
Subfactor criteria described.
(4 points)
The applicant adequately addressed this Subfactor but was either
missing one of the components outlined in this Subfactor or the
applicant addressed all of the required components but lacked detail to
warrant full points under this Subfactor.
(3 points)
The applicant adequately addressed this Subfactor but was missing
2-3 of the components outlined in this Subfactor.
(0 points)
The application did not include any of the information described
above to receive points under this Subfactor or the applicant addressed
this Subfactor but was missing 4 or more components.
Subfactor 1.3. Findings
Maximum Points: 6
For this Subfactor, HUD will evaluate the applicant's performance
during the rating period of October 1, 2017, up to and including the
application submission deadline. To receive maximum points, the
applicant must not have had any Single Audit findings, HUD-ONAP
monitoring findings (IHBG, Indian Community Development Block Grant
(ICDBG), and other programs monitored by ONAP) or findings pertaining
to ONAP programs from either HUD's Office of the Inspector General
(OIG) and/or the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) at any time
during the rating period. Applicants that have Single Audit findings
pertaining to financial management, accounting, and internal controls
for HUD-ONAP programs during the rating period will receive zero points
in this Subfactor. Applicants should not submit workplan narrative
information or supporting attachments for this Subfactor, as HUD will
utilize its own records to verify this information.
(6 points)
The applicant did not have any Single Audit, HUD-ONAP monitoring,
HUD-OIG, or GAO findings at any time during the rating period.
(4 points)
The applicant had outstanding HUD-ONAP monitoring, HUD-OIG, or GAO
findings during the rating period but resolved those findings by the
established target date(s) or revised target date.
(2 points)
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The applicant had HUD-ONAP monitoring, HUD-OIG, or GAO findings
during the rating period but were not yet due for resolution based on
the established target date(s) or revised target date.
(0 points)
One of the Following Applies:
During the rating period, the applicant did not resolve all
open HUD-ONAP monitoring, HUD-OIG, or GAO findings by the established
target date(s) or revised target date; or
The applicant had Single Audit findings pertaining to
financial management, accounting, and internal controls for HUD-ONAP
programs during the rating period.
Subfactor 1.4. Timely Reporting
Maximum Points: 6
Applicants that currently receive HUD-ONAP grants under the IHBG
formula program, FY18/FY19 IHBG Competitive Program, Indian Community
Development Block Grant (ICDBG) program, COVID-19 Recovery Programs
(IHBG-CARES and ICDBG-CARES), or Tribal HUD-VASH program must ensure
the timely submission of the following required reports: Annual
Performance Report (APR), Annual Status and Evaluation Report (ASER),
and the Federal Financial Report (SF-425). Applicants who have never
received a HUD-ONAP grant will be awarded 2 points under this
Subfactor.
HUD will award maximum points to those who have submitted all
reports by the submission deadlines (which includes any granted
extensions) for all HUD-ONAP grants during the one-year period
immediately preceding the date that this NOFA is published. Applicants
should not submit workplan narrative information or supporting
attachments for this Subfactor, as HUD will utilize its own records to
verify this information.
(6 points)
The applicant submitted all required reports by the submission
deadlines for all HUD-ONAP grants during the one-year period
immediately preceding the date that this NOFA is published.
(3 points)
The applicant submitted some, but not all, required reports by the
submission deadlines for HUD-ONAP grants during the one-year period
immediately preceding the date that this NOFA is published.
(2 points)
The applicant has never received a HUD-ONAP grant.
(0 points)
The applicant did not submit any required reports by the submission
deadlines for HUD-ONAP grants during the one-year period immediately
preceding the date that this NOFA is published.
Subfactor 1.5. Expenditures
Maximum Points: 6
HUD will evaluate administrative capacity by considering how
applicants have utilized current Tribal HUD-VASH or IHBG formula funds
using one of the categories below. In awarding points, HUD will
consider the amount of undisbursed funds remaining in the Line of
Credit Control System (LOCCS) for each applicant.
HUD will evaluate existing Tribal HUD-VASH grantees using Category
#1 below. For applicants that do not currently administer the Tribal
HUD-VASH program, HUD will evaluate how these IHBG recipients (or if
they are not an IHBG recipient, their IHBG formula recipient) have
spent or invested IHBG formula funds using either Category #2 or
Category #3 below. In awarding points, HUD will take into account the
amount of unexpended IHBG formula funds remaining in LOCCS and its
plans for spending undisbursed IHBG funds, or if approved for
investments, the status of the invested funds and the applicant's plans
to use these funds for affordable housing activities. In assessing an
applicant's undisbursed funds, HUD will neither consider the IHBG
formula funds awarded in FY 2020 nor the IHBG funds awarded under the
Coronavirus, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act since Indian
tribes and TDHEs would have recently been awarded this funding.
Eligible applicants that have ever been allocated IHBG formula funds
but neither accept those funds nor have a current IHBG formula
recipient will automatically receive 3 points under Category #2 below.
Category #1: Existing Tribal HUD-VASH Grantees
HUD will review how an existing Tribal HUD-VASH grantee has
utilized its FY15 and FY17 funds. HUD will compare the total
undisbursed balance awarded from these fiscal years with the cumulative
award amount as of the NOFA publication date. HUD will not include the
Tribal HUD-VASH renewal grant funding awarded under Notice PIH-2019-18
and PIH-2020-10 in evaluating this Subfactor. Applicants should not
submit workplan narrative information or supporting attachments for
this Subfactor, as HUD will utilize its own records to verify this
information.
(6 points)
The applicant's combined undisbursed balance in LOCCS is 0-15% of
the Tribal HUD-VASH cumulative award amount it received in FY15 and
FY17.
(5 points)
The applicant's combined undisbursed balance in LOCCS is between
16% and 30% of the Tribal HUD-VASH cumulative award amount it received
in FY15 and FY17.
(4 points)
The applicant's combined undisbursed balance in LOCCS is between
31% and 45% of the Tribal HUD-VASH cumulative award amount it received
in FY15 and FY17.
(2 points)
The applicant's combined undisbursed balance in LOCCS is between
46% and 60% of the Tribal HUD-VASH cumulative award amount it received
in FY15 and FY17.
(1 point)
The applicant's combined undisbursed balance in LOCCS is between
61% and 75% of the Tribal HUD-VASH cumulative award amount it received
in FY15 and FY17.
(0 points)
The applicant's combined undisbursed balance in LOCCS is more than
75% of the Tribal HUD-VASH cumulative award amount it received in FY15
and FY17.
Category #2: New Applicants That Are Not Approved for Investing
Formula IHBG Funds or Approved for But Are Not Investing IHBG Formula
Funds
For this Subfactor, applicants not approved to invest formula IHBG
funds will be evaluated on the expenditure of IHBG formula funding
received in the last three federal fiscal years (2018-2020) in
comparison with the amount of undisbursed IHBG funds remaining in LOCCS
on the date this NOFA is published.
A new applicant with an undisbursed balance that is more than 25%
of IHBG formula cumulative amounts that it received for the last three
federal fiscal years may qualify for full points under this Subfactor
only if it includes a justification that is satisfactory to HUD
demonstrating well-developed plans to accumulate IHBG funds to carry
out a specific activity in the future. The justification must include
supporting information on when and how the recipient intends to spend
its undisbursed IHBG funds in the future to qualify for the full 6
points. This may include specific references to past
[[Page 16745]]
Indian Housing Plans, Annual Performance Reports, or other related
documents.
An applicant that has received approval for but not investing its
IHBG formula funds must clearly state this in the workplan narrative in
order to qualify for points under this Subfactor Option. Applicants
should not submit LOCCS or formula funding data for this Subfactor, as
HUD will utilize its records to verify.
Eligible applicants that have ever been allocated IHBG formula
funds but neither accept those funds nor have a current IHBG formula
recipient will automatically receive 3 points for this Subfactor.
(6 points)
One of the Following Applies:
The applicant's undisbursed amount in LOCCS is 0-25% of IHBG
formula cumulative amount for the 2018-2020 Federal fiscal years; or
The applicant's undisbursed amount is more than 25% of IHBG
formula cumulative amounts and the applicant provided sufficient
justification demonstrating well-developed plans to accumulate IHBG
funds to carry out specific IHBG eligible activities in the future. The
justification included supporting information on when and how the
recipient intends to spend its undisbursed IHBG funds in the future.
(3 points)
One of the Following Applies:
The applicant's undisbursed amount in LOCCS is between 26% and
50% of IHBG formula cumulative amount for the 2018-2020 Federal fiscal
years. The applicant did not provide a justification and supporting
information satisfactory to HUD demonstrating well-developed plans to
spend its undisbursed IHBG amounts; or
The applicant does not currently administer the IHBG formula
program and accordingly does not have balances of IHBG funds.
(1 point)
The applicant's undisbursed amount in LOCCS is between 51% and 75%
of IHBG formula cumulative amount for the 2018-2020 Federal fiscal
years. The applicant did not provide a justification and supporting
information satisfactory to HUD demonstrating well-developed plans to
spend its undisbursed IHBG amounts.
(0 points)
The applicant's undisbursed amount in LOCCS is more than 75% of
IHBG formula cumulative amount for the 2018-2020 Federal fiscal years.
The applicant did not provide a justification and supporting
information demonstrating a well-developed plan to spend its
undisbursed IHBG amounts.
Category #3: New Applicants Approved for and Investing IHBG Formula
Funds
A new applicant approved for investing formula IHBG funds in
accordance with section 204(b) of NAHASDA and 24 CFR 1000.58 must
submit information about its investment balances and its plans to spend
the invested IHBG funds on affordable housing activities.
(6 points)
The applicant submitted all of the following information addressing
its invested IHBG funds: the amount of IHBG grant funds that it
currently has invested, the investment securities and other obligations
in which the funds are invested, and a well-developed plan for spending
the invested IHBG funds on affordable housing activities.
(3 points)
The applicant did not submit one of the following information
addressing its invested IHBG grant funds: the amount of IHBG grant
funds that it currently has invested, the investment securities and
other obligations in which the funds are invested, and a well-developed
plan for spending the invested IHBG funds on affordable housing
activities.
(1 point)
The applicant did not submit two of the following information
addressing its invested IHBG grant funds: the amount of IHBG grant
funds that it currently has invested, the investment securities and
other obligations in which the funds are invested, and a well-developed
plan for spending the invested IHBG funds on affordable housing
activities.
(0 points)
The application failed to include any of the following: information
detailing the amount of IHBG grant funds that it currently has
invested, the investment securities and other obligations in which the
funds are invested, and a well-developed plan for spending the invested
IHBG funds on affordable housing activities.
Rating Factor 2: Need
Maximum Points: 20
Subfactor 2.1. Identified Needs
Maximum Points: 10
As required by the 2017 Appropriations Act, HUD will consider need
when reviewing applications received under this NOFA. For this rating
factor, the applicant must address the following components in its
workplan narrative:
1. Reasons why the applicant is interested in a Tribal HUD-VASH
grant;
2. Discussion of the magnitude (estimated number) and severity of
the applicant's homeless Veterans or Veterans at risk of homelessness
population;
3. The extent to which specific gaps or weaknesses in services,
housing, or opportunities have been identified and how it will be
addressed;
4. Steps taken to identify or estimate the applicant's total
homeless Veterans or Veterans at risk of homelessness population,
including those that may be eligible for VA benefits; and
5. Identify the estimated number of the applicant's eligible
homeless Veterans or Veterans at risk of homelessness population that
could be served under the Tribal HUD-VASH program. Resources to
determine Veteran eligibility for VA supportive services are available
online: https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/.
6. Existing grantees (if applicable): In addition to components #1-
5 above, existing grantees must include an explanation of why
additional Tribal HUD-VASH funds are needed in order to continue
addressing the needs of its eligible homeless or at risk of
homelessness Veteran population.
HUD will award points as follows:
(10 points)
The applicant fully addressed all of the components outlined in
this Subfactor.
(8 points)
The applicant was either missing one of the components outlined in
this Subfactor or the need justification addressed all of the required
components, but lacked detail to warrant full points under this
Subfactor.
(5 points)
The applicant was missing more than one of the components outlined
in this Subfactor.
(0 points)
The applicant did not address any of the components described above
to receive points under this Subfactor.
Subfactor 2.2. Supporting Information
Maximum Points: 5
Applicants must demonstrate need for the Tribal HUD-VASH program by
providing supporting information verifying the presence of Veterans
that are homeless or at risk of homelessness in their Indian area (the
area where the Tribe or TDHE is authorized to carry out affordable
housing activities). The supporting information must correlate with the
identified needs discussed in Subfactor 2.1.
[[Page 16746]]
Examples of acceptable documentation may include, but are not
limited to:
1. Point-in-Time counts;
2. Waiting lists with homeless Veterans or Veterans at risk of
homelessness;
3. Number of overcrowded households with residents that are at risk
of homelessness
4. A list of eligible Veterans from the Tribal Veteran's
Representative;
5. Data from the local VA;
6. U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) data; and
7. Any supporting documentation demonstrating to HUD's satisfaction
the presence of homeless Veterans or Veterans at risk of homelessness.
HUD will award points as follows:
(5 points)
The applicant provided supporting information that correlates with
the identified needs discussed in Subfactor 2.1.
(3 points)
The applicant provided supporting information. However, not all of
the information submitted correlates with the identified needs
discussed in Subfactor 2.1.
(0 points)
The applicant did not provide supporting information, or the
information submitted does not correlate with any of the identified
needs discussed in Subfactor 2.1.
Subfactor 2.3. Severity of the Problem
Maximum Points: 5
For this Subfactor, HUD will assess need based on severity of the
applicant's identified homeless Veterans or Veterans at risk of
homelessness population. Points will be awarded based on how the
estimated number of identified homeless Veterans or Veterans at risk of
homelessness compares to the number of rental housing units requested
by the applicant. HUD will use information submitted for Subfactors
2.1, 2.2, and 3.1 for this Subfactor review.
(5 points)
The estimated number of identified homeless Veterans or Veterans at
risk of homelessness is at least three times the number of rental
housing units requested by the applicant.
(3 points)
The estimated number of identified homeless Veterans or Veterans at
risk of homelessness is at least twice but less than three times the
number of rental housing units requested by the applicant.
(1 point)
The estimated number of identified homeless Veterans or Veterans at
risk of homelessness is at least equal to but less than twice the
number of rental housing units requested by the applicant.
(0 points)
The estimated number of homeless Veterans or Veterans at risk of
homelessness is less than the number of rental housing units requested
by the applicant.
Rating Factor 3: Capacity to Administer the Program
Maximum Points: 50
Subfactor 3.1. Implementation Plan and Implementation Schedule
Maximum Points: 10
HUD will assess the applicant's administrative capacity to
implement its proposed Tribal HUD-VASH program by reviewing its
workplan narrative. In addition, the applicant must include a schedule
of specific tasks in its Implementation Schedule.
The applicant must describe the program in detail and include the
following components in its workplan narrative and Implementation
Schedule:
1. Type of Tribal HUD-VASH Assistance: Tenant-Based vs. Project-
Based: The applicant must describe its rationale for requesting Tenant-
Based Rental Assistance and/or Project-Based Rental Assistance. The
rationale must correlate with the need discussed in Rating Factor 2,
Need;
2. Units of Assistance Requested: The workplan narrative must
include a justification for the total number of rental housing units
that the Tribe or TDHE plans to provide. The justification must
correlate with the information submitted under Rating Factor 2, Need,
and criteria established in this NOFA, and must address housing
availability. The number of units requested in the justification must
match the information provided on the Units of Assistance Table(s)
submitted with the application;
3. Location of the units where eligible Veterans may be housed
(e.g., include a map, address and/or aerial photo); and
4. If applicable, description of how the applicant plans to operate
and maintain any units owned or operated by the applicant.
An applicant proposing Project-Based Rental Assistance must also
address the following in its workplan narrative:
5. Housing stock: Description of whether the applicant plans to
leverage other resources to construct, acquire, or rehabilitate housing
stock for the use of eligible Veterans. If the applicant is not
planning to increase its housing stock and is instead using its
existing stock, then the applicant must describe what type of units it
plans to use (e.g. IHBG, FCAS, Title VI, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit,
Section 184, tribal, etc.) and identify the age of the stock as of the
application deadline established in this NOFA. Applicants that propose
to use existing housing stock to house Veterans will not be awarded the
maximum points under Subfactor 3.2 below, unless it is newly
constructed or acquired for Veterans 12 months or less prior to the
application deadline established in this NOFA
6. The length of time the Tribal HUD-VASH assistance would not be
used while waiting for the units to be completed (e.g. constructed,
acquired, or rehabilitated) and what activities the applicant will
continue to implement during this time. Note that projects with new
construction timeframes longer than two years will not be approved;
7. The number of units and the type of structure to which the
assistance units will be attached; and
8. The project ownership and evidence of site control. As stated in
the Consolidated Notice, Project-Based Rental Assistance may be
provided to privately owned housing with a contract with the owner of
the housing, or a unit that is owned or operated by the tribe/TDHE.
HUD will award points as follows:
(10 points)
The workplan narrative and Implementation Schedule include all of
the components outlined in this Subfactor, including components #5-8 if
the applicant is proposing Project-Based Rental Assistance.
(7 points)
One of the Following Applies
The workplan narrative and Implementation Schedule are
either missing one of the components outlined in this Subfactor,
including components #5-8 if the applicant is proposing Project-Based
Rental Assistance; or
The plan addressed all of the required components but
lacked detail to warrant full points under this Subfactor.
(5 points)
The applicant is requesting the majority of funds towards Project-
Based Rental Assistance and workplan narrative and Implementation
Schedule are missing more than one but less than five of the components
outlined in this Subfactor.
(0 points)
The applicant is either requesting the majority of funds towards
Project-Based Rental Assistance and the workplan narrative and
Implementation Schedule are missing five or more of the
[[Page 16747]]
components outlined in this Subfactor or the applicant is requesting
the majority of funds towards Tenant-Based Rental Assistance and the
workplan narrative and Implementation Schedule are missing two or more
of the components outlined in this Subfactor.
Subfactor 3.2. Availability of Housing Stock
Maximum Points: 10
HUD recognizes that this additional Tribal HUD-VASH expansion
funding provides an opportunity to address severe overcrowding and the
lack of affordable housing in Indian Country. As such, HUD will award
full points under this Subfactor to applicants that demonstrate the
administrative capacity to increase their housing stock for eligible
Veterans. Additionally, HUD will award points based on how the
applicant addresses the availability of housing stock it would use to
house eligible Veterans under the Tribal HUD-VASH program.
For this Subfactor, applicants will be rated under either Category
#1 or Category #2 below, depending on the nature of the proposed
project. Applicants that propose both Project-Based and Tenant-Based
projects will be rated according to the project that constitutes the
majority of the federal request amount listed on the SF-424 and
detailed budget. Applicants that propose an equal amount of federal
funds towards both Project-Based and Tenant-Based projects will be
rated according to Category #1- Project-Based Rental Assistance, as
this in keeping with HUD's priority to increase the number of new
housing units available for eligible Veterans under the program.
Category #1: Project-Based Rental Assistance
For applicants that request the majority of federal funds for
Project-Based Rental Assistance, maximum points will be awarded to
those that have leveraged other funding sources to increase its housing
stock for the use of eligible Veterans.
To qualify for full points, applicants proposing to increase its
housing stock for eligible Veterans must identify the amount of
leveraged funding sources that it has used or plans to use and provide
firm commitment documentation supporting this amount.
A firm commitment refers to a letter of commitment, memorandum of
understanding, or agreement to participate from an applicant's partner
specifying that it agrees to perform and/or support an activity
specified in the application. The firm commitment must demonstrate that
the partner has the financial capacity to deliver the resources or
skills necessary to implement the proposed activity, either in cash or
through in-kind contributions, if HUD awards Tribal HUD-VASH funds.
Federal sources are only allowed to be used as leveraging if permitted
by a program's authorizing statute. Contributions that could be
considered as leveraged resources for point award include, but are not
limited to:
Tribal government funds;
Donations from individuals or organizations, private
foundations, businesses;
State or federal loans or guarantees;
Other grant funds;
Donated goods and services needed for the project;
Land needed for the project; and
Direct administrative costs.
As indicated in Subfactor 3.1, applicants that propose to use
existing housing stock to house Veterans will not be awarded the
maximum points for this Subfactor, unless it is newly constructed or
acquired for Veterans 12 months or less prior to the application
deadline established in this NOFA.
The following table summarizes acceptable firm commitment
documentation to provide as evidence of leveraged funds:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leveraged resource Firm commitment documentation needed
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tribal Resources............. Tribal resolution committing
funds, housing stock, or equivalent; the
resolution (or equivalent) must identify
the exact dollar amount (or value of
resources to be committed).
Federal Resources............ IHBG formula funds (whether
administered by the tribe or a TDHE) in
keeping with ONAP Program Guidance No.
2018-01(IHBG in the Tribal HUD-VASH
Program:
[cir] Leveraging with current program
year funds: The most recently
approved Indian Housing Plan (IHP)
must identify the dollar amount and
commit the IHBG resources to the
project. If not currently approved in
the most recent IHP, the application
must state that an amendment to the
IHP will be processed if the
applicant is awarded Tribal HUD-VASH
funds.
[cir] Future IHBG funding: If future
IHBG funds will be used, the
application must identify the program
year and the dollar amount of IHBG
funds that will be used.
Other Federal Program Funds:
Might include funds from the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Indian Health
Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, or
any other federal agency. If allowable
by the Federal program's statute, the
applicant should submit statement (e.g.,
letter, email, etc.) from the Federal
agency approving the amount of funds to
be committed for leveraging.
Public Agency, Foundation, or Letters of commitment which must
Other Private Party. include:
[cir] The donor organization's name;
[cir] The specific funds proposed;
[cir] The dollar amount of the
financial or in-kind resource;
[cir] Method for valuation;
[cir] The purpose of that resource
within the proposed project; and
[cir] Signed commitment from an
official of the organization legally
authorized to make the commitment.
Memorandum of understanding, and/
or agreement to participate, including
any conditions to which the contribution
may be subject.
Goods and Services........... Must demonstrate that the
donated items are necessary to the
actual development of the project and
include comparable costs that support
the donation.
Land......................... Land valuation must be
established using one of the following
methods and the documentation must be
contained in the application. The
application of land valuation
documentation must state the method used
to determine land value and identify the
land value. Land that has previously
been used as leverage towards other ONAP
competitions may not be proposed as
leveraging for this NOFA.
The methods for land valuation
include:
[cir] A site-specific appraisal no
more than two years old;
[cir] An appraisal of a nearby
comparable site also no more than two
years old;
[cir] A reasonable extrapolation of
land value based on current area
realtor value guides; or
[cir] A reasonable extrapolation of
land value based on recent sales of
similar properties in the same area.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 16748]]
Grantees will be required to show evidence that leveraging
resources were actually received and used for their intended purposes
through quarterly reports (SF-425) as the project proceeds.
HUD recognizes that in some cases, the applicant cannot receive a
firm commitment of non-tribal funds by the application deadline. In
such cases, the applicant must include a statement from the
contributing entity that describes why the firm commitment cannot be
made at the current time. The statement must say that the tribe/
organization and proposed project meets the eligibility criteria for
receiving the leveraged funds. It must also include a date by which the
funding decisions will be made. This date cannot be over six months
from the anticipated date of grant approval by HUD. If the applicant
does not provide HUD with evidence of the firm commitment from the
original leverage source or an alternative source within six months of
the date of grant approval, or if anticipated leverage is not provided,
HUD will re-rate and re-rank the application with the updated leverage
information. If the application is no longer fundable after re-rating
and re-ranking the application, HUD will rescind the grant and
recapture grant funds.
HUD will award points as follows:
(10 points)
The applicant provided firm commitment documentation for all
sources of leveraging resources that it has used or plans to use for
the construction or acquisition of housing specifically for Veterans
and one of the following applies:
The applicant is proposing to increase its housing stock for
the use of eligible Veterans by leveraging other funding sources for
the construction or acquisition of new units; or
The applicant proposes to use of existing stock that is newly
constructed or acquired for Veterans 12 months or less prior to the
application deadline established in this NOFA, as identified in
Subfactor 3.1.
(8 points)
The applicant is proposing to leverage other funding sources for
the rehabilitation of existing stock for the use of Veterans. The
applicant provided firm commitment documentation for all sources of
leveraging resources that it has used or plans to use for the
rehabilitation project.
(5 points)
The applicant is not proposing to increase its housing stock
specifically for the use of eligible Veterans. Rather, the applicant is
proposing to use existing housing stock, without associated
rehabilitation costs, and the stock is more than 12 months old from the
application deadline established in this NOFA for its Tribal HUD-VASH
program.
(0 points)
The applicant proposed to increase its housing stock for the use of
eligible Veterans by leveraging other sources of funding but did not
provide firm commitment documentation for all sources of leveraging
resources.
Category #2: Tenant-Based Rental Assistance
Applicants requesting funding to provide Tenant-Based Rental
Assistance must submit supporting documentation demonstrating the
availability of rental units where eligible Veterans may be housed, if
awarded a Tribal HUD-VASH grant.
Documentation for this Subfactor must include agreements or letters
of partnerships with local landlords showing commitment to house
eligible Veterans as identified in Subfactor 3.1-Implementation Plan
and Implementation Schedule. Other forms of supporting documentation to
receive points under this Subfactor include a rental market survey
identifying the rental market available for Veterans, or other
documentation satisfactory to HUD demonstrating the availability of
housing for Veterans assisted under this program.
Applicants that propose to make their own housing stock available
for Tenant-Based Rental Assistance must provide supporting
documentation in the form of a tribal resolution or equivalent
committing units it would offer eligible Veterans under the program.
The resolution (or equivalent) must identify the type of housing stock
(e.g., FCAS, NAHASDA, etc.), the number of units, and the age of the
units.
Applicants that propose to use units (50% or higher) that have been
constructed, acquired, or rehabbed 12 months or less prior to the
application deadline of this NOFA will receive more points under this
Subfactor versus applicants that propose to use older housing stock.
(10 points)
The applicant provided agreements or letters of partnerships with
local landlords for all rental units where eligible Veterans may be
housed, as identified in Subfactor 3.1- Implementation Plan and
Implementation Schedule. The applicant is also proposing to offer its
own housing stock as an option for eligible Veterans, provided a tribal
resolution or equivalent identifying the type of housing stock, number
of units, and the majority age of the units (50% or higher) is 12
months or less from the application deadline of this NOFA.
(9 points)
The applicant provided agreements or letters of partnerships with
local landlords for all rental units where eligible Veterans may be
housed, as identified in Subfactor 3.1-Implementation Plan and
Implementation Schedule. The applicant is also proposing to offer its
own housing stock as an option for eligible Veterans and provided a
tribal resolution or equivalent identifying the type of housing stock
and number of units. However, the majority age of the units (49% or
less) is older than 12 months from the application deadline of this
NOFA.
(8 points)
The applicant provided agreements or letters of partnerships with
local landlords for all rental units where eligible Veterans may be
housed, as identified in Subfactor 3.1-Implementation Plan and
Implementation Schedule. The applicant is not proposing to offer its
own housing stock as an option for eligible Veterans.
(6 points)
The applicant provided agreements or letters of partnerships with
local landlords for some, but not all rental units. The applicant
provided other supporting documentation for the remaining rental units
where eligible Veterans may be housed, as identified in Subfactor 3.1-
Implementation Plan and Implementation Schedule. The applicant is not
proposing to offer its own housing stock as an option for eligible
Veterans.
(4 points)
The applicant did not provide agreements or letters of partnerships
with local landlords. Rather, the applicant provided other supporting
documentation for all rental units where eligible Veterans may be
housed, as identified in Subfactor 3.1-Implementation Plan and
Implementation Schedule. The applicant is not proposing to offer its
own housing stock as an option for eligible Veterans.
(2 points)
The applicant did not provide agreements or letters of partnerships
with local landlords. Rather, the applicant provided other supporting
documentation for some, but not all rental units where eligible
Veterans may be housed, as identified in Subfactor
[[Page 16749]]
3.1-Implementation Plan and Implementation Schedule. The applicant is
not proposing to offer its own housing stock as an option for eligible
Veterans.
(0 points)
The applicant did not provide any supporting documentation for the
rental units where eligible Veterans may be housed.
Subfactor 3.3. Budget
Maximum Points: 10
HUD will review the detailed budget (Unit of Assistance Table,
estimated administrative fee usage, and if applicable, project costs
for the development of new units) according to the following criteria:
1. Budget is thoroughly prepared, with all costs requested on the
SF-424 accounted for and calculations shown by the applicant;
2. Budget figures are consistent throughout the application;
3. Costs are allowable, allocable, reasonable, and necessary for
implementing the proposed Tribal HUD-VASH program; and
4. All budget calculations are mathematically correct.
Points will be awarded as follows:
(10 points)
The detailed budget fully satisfied all of the criteria outlined in
this Subfactor.
(8 points)
The detailed budget adequately satisfied all but one of the
criteria outlined in this Subfactor.
(5 points)
The detailed budget did not satisfy two criteria outlined in this
Subfactor
(0 points)
The detailed budget was missing information and/or did not satisfy
three or more criteria outlined in this Subfactor.
Subfactor 3.4. Coordination With the Department of Veterans Affairs
Maximum Points: 10
This Subfactor awards points based on how an applicant will take
affirmative steps to coordinate with the VA Medical Center that serves
its tribal area and its overall understanding of the VA's role in
implementing the program.
The applicant must address the following components in its workplan
narrative:
1. Identify which VA Medical Center or VA Healthcare System the
applicant will partner with for the program;
2. Description of the VA's agreement to participate in Tribal HUD-
VASH, commitment and capacity to provide timely case management
services to support a Tribal HUD-VASH award, and how the VA intends to
obtain the case manager (VA hire or contract);
3. Overview of how the applicant will incorporate the VA
partnership into the applicant's Tribal-HUD-VASH program operations;
4. Description of how supportive housing evidence-based practices
(e.g., Critical Time Intervention, Harm Reduction, etc.) will be
integrated by the applicant for this program. (More information is
available in the ``Tribal HUD-VASH Guidebook (April 2016)'' available
at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/ih/tribalhudvash);
5. Applicant's understanding of case manager criteria, recruitment
and selection, including any anticipated involvement of tribal entities
and potential barriers to obtaining a case manager;
6. Joint VA and tribal efforts to identify and conduct outreach to
eligible homeless and/or at risk of homelessness veterans; and
7. Applicant's plan for on-going communication with the VA.
(10 points)
The applicant thoroughly described its coordination efforts with
the VA in its workplan narrative and demonstrates a full understanding
of the VA's role in implementing the program. The applicant discussed
all of the Subfactor components in detail.
(8 points)
The applicant adequately addressed this Subfactor but was either
missing one of the components outlined in this Subfactor or the
applicant addressed all of the required components but lacked detail to
warrant full points under this Subfactor.
(6 points)
The applicant adequately addressed this Subfactor but was missing
2-3 of the components outlined in this Subfactor.
(4 points)
The applicant addressed this Subfactor but was missing 4 or more
components outlined in this Subfactor.
(0 points)
The application did not include any of the information described
above to receive points under this Subfactor.
Subfactor 3.5. Coordination With Partners
Maximum Points: 5
The applicant is encouraged to involve other partners in developing
and implementing the Tribal HUD-VASH program. For this Subfactor, the
applicant must address the following components:
1. How the applicant has designed the project and plans to
implement it in coordination with community members, tribal
departments, the Indian Health Service (HIS) or tribal health system,
Continuums of Care, Veterans groups, nonprofits, homelessness
providers, or other agencies/organizations;
2. Description of actions taken or to be taken to work with
partners to support its marketing and outreach efforts to homeless and/
or at risk of homelessness Veterans; and
3. Planned efforts to promote employment opportunities for homeless
and/or at risk of homelessness Veterans.
(5 points)
The applicant thoroughly described its coordination efforts with
other partners in its workplan narrative and discussed all of this
Subfactor's components in detail.
(3 points)
The applicant adequately addressed this Subfactor but was either
missing one of the components outlined in this Subfactor or the
applicant addressed all of the required components but lacked detail to
warrant full points under this Subfactor.
(0 points)
The application did not include any of the information described
above to receive points under this Subfactor.
Subfactor 3.6. Outputs and Outcomes
Maximum Points: 5
The applicant must include outcomes and outputs it strives to
achieve with the project and describe them in detail. Outputs are
measured in the volume of work accomplished and must correlate with the
nature of the Tribal HUD-VASH program activities proposed and discussed
in Rating Factors 2 and 3 of the workplan narrative. They should be
clear enough to allow HUD to monitor and assess the proposed project or
program's progress if funded. An outcome is the impact achieved from
the outputs of the proposed project or program. They should be
quantifiable measures or indicators that identify the change in the
community, people's lives, economic status, etc. Discussion and
coordination with VA facility staff can help identify clear outputs and
outcomes as part of the investigation/planning process.
Examples of outputs could include but are not limited to:
Number of eligible Veterans assisted
Number of rental units identified/number of partnerships with
local landlords (Tenant-Based Housing Assistance)
[[Page 16750]]
Number of Project-Based units constructed, acquired, or
rehabilitated for the eligible Veterans
Number of outreach meetings and efforts undertaken to
coordinate assistance with partners
Examples of outcomes could include but are not limited to:
Number of eligible Veterans exiting the Tribal HUD-VASH
program to permanent housing
Number of eligible Veterans graduating (no longer needing case
management services from the VA)
Reduction of eligible Veterans on a tribe/TDHE's waiting list
Increase in available housing stock for eligible Veterans
Increased in fiscal resources for eligible Veterans during
participation in the Tribal HUD-VASH program by obtaining employment or
appropriate disability and/or other benefits (e.g., Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program, etc.) for which the Veteran is eligible,
and learning and utilizing effective money management practices
Obtain maximal ``self-sufficiency'' as appropriate to their
functional abilities, as evidenced by independently meeting tenancy
requirements (such as paying rent portion on time, maintaining the
unit, following the rules of the landlord, allowing others peaceful
enjoyment of their unit, etc.), practicing wellness strategies and
attending to their healthcare needs, attending to personal needs (e.g.,
independently taking care of activities of daily living), and engaging
in social and community activities to increase purposeful, meaningful
activities and establish/maintain healthy and effective social supports
(5 points)
The applicant clearly described measurable outputs and outcomes for
the Tribal HUD-VASH program activities proposed in the workplan.
(3 points)
The applicant included measurable outputs and outcomes for the
Tribal HUD-VASH program activities proposed in the workplan but did not
clearly describe them in detail.
(1 points)
The applicant included either measurable outputs or outcomes for
Tribal HUD-VASH program activities proposed in the workplan, but not
both.
(0 points)
The application did not contain the information described above to
receive points under this Subfactor.
2. Other Factors
Preference Points
HUD encourages activities in support of the Secretary's FY20
Initiatives. HUD may award up to two (2) points for any of the 3
preferences (OZ, PZ or HBCU).
Opportunity Zones
This program does not offer Opportunity Zone preference points.
HBCU
This program does not offer HBCU preference points.
Promise Zones
This program does not offer Promise Zone preference points.
B. Review and Selection Process
1. Past Performance
In evaluating applications for funding, HUD will consider an
applicant's past performance in managing funds. Items HUD will consider
include, but are not limited to:
The ability to account for funds in compliance with applicable
reporting and recordkeeping requirements;
Timely use of funds received from HUD;
Timely submission and quality of reports submitted to HUD;
Meeting program requirements;
Meeting performance targets as established in the grant agreement;
The applicant's organizational capacity, including staffing
structures and capabilities;
Timely completion of activities and receipt and expenditure of
promised matching or leveraged funds;
HUD may reduce scores as specified under V. A. Review Criteria.
Whenever possible, HUD will obtain past performance information. If
this review results in an adverse finding related to integrity or
performance, HUD reserves the right to take any of the remedies
provided in Section III. E Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
Affecting Eligibility, ``Pre-selection Review of Performance'' document
link above.
2. Assessing Applicant Risk
In evaluating risks posed by applicants, HUD may use a risk-based
approach and may consider any items such as the following:
Financial stability;
Quality of management systems and ability to meet the
management standards prescribed in this part;
History of performance. The applicant's record in managing
Federal awards, if it is a prior recipient of Federal awards, including
timeliness of compliance with applicable reporting requirements,
conformance to the terms and conditions of previous Federal awards, and
if applicable, the extent to which any previously awarded amounts will
be expended prior to future awards;
Reports and findings from audits performed under Subpart F--
Audit Requirements of this part or the reports and findings of any
other available audits; and
The applicant's ability to effectively implement statutory,
regulatory, or other requirements imposed on non-Federal entities.
3. Application Selection Process
HUD will review each application from an eligible applicant and
assign points in accordance with the selection factors described in
this section.
(a) Application Screening and Acceptance
ONAP will screen and accept applications if they meet all the
criteria listed below:
The application is received or submitted in accordance with
the requirements of this NOFA;
The applicant is eligible to submit an application;
The proposed project is eligible; and
The application contains all of the applicable components
listed in Section IV.B. of this NOFA.
(b) Threshold Compliance
HUD will review each application that passes the screening process
to ensure that each applicant and each proposed project meets the
eligibility and submission thresholds in the Eligibility Requirements
and this NOFA.
(c) Past Performance
HUD will evaluate applicants' past performance under Rating Factor
1-Capacity of the Applicant.
(d) Rating
HUD will rate all eligible applications that meet the Threshold
Requirements against the criteria in Rating Factors 1 through 3 and
assign a rating score. The maximum total rating score for the three
Rating Factors is 100 points. HUD will review and rate each application
that meets the acceptance criteria and threshold requirements. Once all
applications are rated, HUD will conduct a review to ensure consistency
in the application rating.
(e) Minimum Points
To be considered for funding, the application must receive a
minimum of 20 points under Rating Factor 1-
[[Page 16751]]
Capacity of the Applicant, a minimum of 35 points under Rating Factor
3-Capacity to Administer the Program, and an overall score of at least
75 points. HUD will reject any application that does not meet the
minimum rating score requirements.
(f) Ranked Order
HUD will place eligible applications that meet the minimum rating
score requirements in ranked order. Funds will be awarded in rank order
based on the score received on the application submitted under this
NOFA. Applicants within the fundable range of 75 or more points will be
considered for funding in ranked order up to the amount requested, or a
lesser amount if sufficient funds are not available. Meeting the
minimum score of 75 points does not guarantee a funding award will be
made. HUD also reserves the right to adjust funding to meet urgent
policy priorities. HUD reserves the right to issue a supplemental or
independent NOFA if necessary (e.g., to ensure that all appropriated
funds are awarded).
(g) Grant Award Adjustments
At its discretion, if HUD determines that there are not enough
funds available to fully fund a project as proposed by a successful
applicant, then HUD may contact the applicant to determine whether
revisions can be made to the program budget, workplan narrative, and
Implementation Schedule to reflect the actual award offer. If it is not
possible to agree on a revised program budget, workplan narrative, and
Implementation Schedule, then an award will not be made to that
applicant. In such an instance, HUD may offer an award, in a rank
order, to another applicant. HUD may also select additional
applications for funding, in rank order, if additional funds become
available. See also Adjustments to Funding information in section VI.A.
below.
(h) Tiebreakers
When rating results in a tied score and there is not enough money
to fund all tied scored applications, HUD will use the following
factors in the order listed to resolve the tie:
1. HUD will approve applications that can be fully funded over
those that cannot be fully funded;
2. Applicants that receive the most points according to Subfactor
3.2, Availability of Housing Stock;
3. Applicants that propose to leverage other funding sources to
increase its housing stock for the use of eligible Veterans; and
4. Applicants that score the highest cumulative points for Rating
Factor 1-Capacity of the Applicant and Rating Factor 2-Need.
(i) Additional Tribal HUD-VASH Funds
If, after publication of this NOFA, additional funds become
available through additional appropriations or recaptured funds, HUD
reserves the right to:
1. Award funding to additional applicants based on their score from
this competition;
2. Use the additional funds to provide additional funding to an
applicant awarded less than the original requested amount of funds to
make the full award; and
3. Fund additional applicants that were eligible to receive an
award but for which there were no funds available from the FY 2017
appropriations; and
4. Award funding to applicants that meet the funding errors
category in section VI.A. below.
(j) Curable Deficiencies and Pre-Award Requirements:
Curable Deficiencies: If there are curable deficiencies
identified in successful applications, then applicants must
satisfactorily address these deficiencies before HUD can make a grant
award.
Pre-Award Requirements: Successful applicants may have to
provide supporting documentation concerning the management,
maintenance, operation, or financing of proposed projects before a
grant agreement can be executed. HUD may ask for additional information
on the scope, magnitude, timing, budget, method of implementing the
project or any proposed leveraging resources. HUD may also ask further
information to verify the commitment of other resources required to
complete, operate, or maintain the proposed project. HUD will notify
applicants by email, facsimile, or via the U.S. Postal Service, return
receipt requested. HUD will provide official notification to the
authorized representative. Each applicant must provide accurate email
addresses for receipt of these notifications and must monitor their
email accounts to determine whether a notification has been received.
Applicants will be provided no less than 48 hours and no more than
fourteen (14) calendar days from the date of receipt of the HUD
notification to respond to these requirements. No extensions will be
provided. If the deadline date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal
holiday, the response must be received by HUD on the next day that is
not a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday. If an applicant does not
respond within the prescribed time period or makes an insufficient
response, then ONAP will determine that the requirement has not been
met and will withdraw the grant offer. Applicants may not substitute
new projects for those originally proposed in the application and any
new information will not affect the project's rating and ranking. The
time period for calculating the response deadline for pre-award
requirements begins on the day after receipt of the pre-award letter
from ONAP.
(k) Agency Errors
Judgments made within the provisions of this NOFA and all program
statutory and regulatory requirements are not subject to claim of
error. There is no appeal process. An applicant may however, bring
arithmetic errors in application scoring to the attention of HUD within
30 days of being informed of its score.
(l) Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
Following the evaluation process, HUD will notify successful
applicants of their selection for funding. HUD will also notify other
applicants, whose applications were received by the deadline, but have
not been chosen for awards. Notifications will be sent by email to the
person listed as the Authorized Representative listed on the SF-424.
HUD anticipates announcing awards under this NOFA approximately four to
six months after the application due date.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 3535(d); Consolidated and Further
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235, approved
December 16, 2014); Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Pub. L.
115-31, approved May 5, 2017).
Dominique G. Blom,
General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing.
[FR Doc. 2021-06595 Filed 3-30-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P