Washington County Community Development Agency EVALUATION AND RANKING CRITERIA Evaluation Process for Competitive CDBG and HOME Proposals Proposals for CDBG and HOME funding are evaluated and ranked by staff and the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) using the criteria below. The staff evaluates all projects and provides a ranked list to the CAC. The CAC reviews each project, modifies the ranking, and provides a funding recommendation to the Washington County Board of Commissioners. The Washington County Board of Commissioners makes the final allocation of grant funds. Qualifying Requirements All projects must meet the Threshold Criteria to be further considered for funding. LMI is defined as low and moderate income. THRESHOLD CRITERIA Check One (completed by staff) Criteria Eligible Ineligible Yes No 1. Project is eligible CDBG HOME 2. Project is a priority need 3. Project Schedule CDBG HOME The project meets one of the national objectives of the CDBG Program: benefit LMI persons; eliminate/prevent slum and blight; or meet urgent community need threatening health or welfare. The project is eligible for funding under the HOME Program regulations. The project meets a high priority need identified in the Washington County Consolidated Plan. The project will be completed and funds drawn down within 18 months of the award of the funds. The project will be completed and funds drawn down within four years of the award of the funds. The project does not meet one of the national objectives of the CDBG Program. The project is ineligible for funding under the HOME Program regulations. The project does not meet a high priority need in the Washington County Consolidated Plan. The project will not be significantly completed/funds will not be drawn down within 18 months of award of the funds. The project will not be completed and a significant portion of the funds will not be drawn down within four years of the award of the funds. Project starts prior to funding year. fax 651.458.1696 I tel. 651.458.0936 I www.wchra.com I 7645 Currell Boulevard, Woodbury MN 55125
Project Evaluation and Ranking Those projects that meet the threshold criteria are further evaluated to identify project proposals that most closely align with the needs and goals identified in the Washington County Consolidated Plan and the funding desires of the CAC, Washington County Board of Commissioners and staff. Projects are evaluated and ranked using standards that determine the desirability for funding through the CDBG and HOME programs. An overall ranking of all projects and a ranking by project type will be presented to the Washington County Board of Commissioners. GENERAL EVALUATION AND RANKING STANDARDS Criterion Most Desirable Desirable Least Desirable Project Impact 1. National Objective (CDBG) The project benefits LMI persons. The project eliminates slum and blight or meets an urgent community need. NA (Points: 10/5/0) 2. Demonstrated Benefit (Points: 5/3/1) 3. Project Duration a. Housing Countywide benefit and draw is clearly demonstrated and is strong. (shows a benefit to each area e.g. emergency shelter, owner occupied rehab program) affordability for >10 years. Some countywide benefit is demonstrated but project addresses more of a local benefit. (e.g. land trust serving multiple communities but not entire county) affordability for 5-10 years. Countywide benefit is not clearly demonstrated. The project addresses a local benefit and is consistent with local revitalization strategy or comprehensive plan. (e.g. city park, rental development property) affordability for 2-5 years. b. Community Development Expected life > 20 years. Expected life 10 20 years. Expected life <10 years. c. Other (Points: 15/10/5) 4. Consolidated Plan Priority Services will be provided for >10 years. The activity was ranked as one of the high priorities in the Five- Year Consolidated Plan Services will be provided for 5-10 years. The activity was rank as one of the low priorities in the Five-Year Consolidated Plan Services will be provided for 1-5 years. The activity was not ranked in the Five-Year Consolidated Plan Other Federal Requirements (Staff ranked & checklist will be provided) The project will not trigger requirements involving additional funding or administrative burden. The project may trigger requirements involving some additional funding and/or administrative burden (e.g., Davis-Bacon). The project may trigger requirements involving significant additional funding and/or administrative burden (e.g., LMI displacement, resident relocation, lead-based paint). (Points: 15/10/5
Project Management 5. Project Readiness (Points: 10/6/0) 6. Funding Commitment (Points: 3/2/0) The project will be ready to begin as soon as the funds are awarded (all needed components are in place, ie city approvals and funding are in place, project is shovel ready and prior year funds are expended, etc.). Funds from other required sources are committed (documentation & commitment of funds required). Minor components and other funding may not be in place when the CDBG/HOME funds are awarded but are not expected to delay project startup (e.g., staffing, policies, procedures, etc.). Funds from other required sources are pending. Major components & funding may not be in place when the funds are awarded and may delay the project startup (e.g., proof of commitment of other funds, site, zoning approval, architectural design, preliminary engineering, etc.). Project may need to be identified as a Pipeline Project. Applications not yet submitted to other required funding sources. 7. Acceptance of Funds as a loan (Points: 3/2) 8. Documentation of Costs (Points: 4/2/0) 9. Organizational Capacity and Track Record (Points CDBG5/3/0 HOME 5/0) Project applicant wants or needs a loan All costs have been carefully estimated and documented (e.g. preliminary professional studies, appraisals, wage rate determinations, etc.). The implementing organization has existed for some time and has a great deal of experience in implementing complex projects and projects similar to that proposed. Project applicant wants or needs a grant Some, but not all costs have been estimated and documented. The implementing organization is new or has existed for some time but may not have much experience in implementing complex projects or projects similar to that proposed, or is partnering with a consultant or entity with relevant experience. Cost estimates have not been documented. The implementing organization does not have past experience in implementing complex projects or projects similar to that proposed, or is partnering with another experienced organization or consultant. 10. Application is complete (Points 5/2/0) Application is 100% completed and/or well written and includes all supporting documentation. Application is 75% completed and/or mostly well written Application is less than 75% completed and/or poorly written Local Commitment and Support 11. Community Evidence of community, Support neighborhood, and/or other support exists (e.g., letters of support, newspaper articles, (Points: 5/1/0) public hearing results, etc.). 12. Leveraging No evidence of community, neighborhood, and/or other support exists. Community, neighbor-hood and/or other opposition exists. 2:1 match or greater 1:1 match Less than 1:1 match (Points: 9/5/2)
13. Other public financing (Points: 5/2/0) Evidence that project will receive at least as much as requested from CDBG/HOME in other public financing such as low income tax credits, tax increment financing, bonds, Minnesota Housing grant or loan, other federal funds or city contribution (fee waiver etc.) Evidence that project will receive some other public financing such as low income tax credits, tax increment financing, bonds, Minnesota Housing grant or loan, other federal funds or city contribution No evidence that project will receive some other public financing. Other Considerations Points: 1 point each, up to 17 total points total Housing (including new construction, rehabilitation of existing housing): Creates accessible units or rehabs existing units for accessibility for persons with physical disabilities or the frail elderly. Creates or rehabilitates housing units that serve large related families (5+ persons). Provides opportunities for mixed income residential communities. Is located within a half (1/2) mile of transit services. Housing is designed with family friendly elements such as wide hallways, playground equipment, etc. Energy efficiency. Provides an economic development component of providing workforce housing Neighborhood or recreational centers: Creates improved accessibility for persons with physical disabilities. Use of facility is high (e.g., open 7 days per week, large number of users). Emergency shelters, transitional housing and permanent supportive housing: Preserves existing well-operated shelters, transitional housing, or permanent supportive housing units. Creates accessible units or rehabs existing units for accessibility for persons with physical disabilities. All Applicants: Addresses an immediate health and safety concern. Project might not be done or will encounter significant delays if not for this funding. Implementation is time sensitive, e.g., the opportunity to do the project will be lost if funding is delayed. A good showcase for the program, e.g., the project is visible to the public and demonstrates the intent of the program. Is needed to meet plan goals. Benefits communities that have not benefited from past funds. Possible Point Deductions Subtract Points for Having Unspent Prior Year CDBG and/or HOME Funds: -3 Points for unspent 2012 and earlier CDBG and/or HOME funds. -2 Points for unspent 2013 CDBG and/or HOME funds. -1 Point for unspent 2014 CDBG and/or HOME funds. POINT SUMMARY Project Impact... 45 points possible Project Management... 30 points possible Local Commitment and Support... 17 points possible Other Considerations... 16 points possible TOTAL.108 points possible
Red Flags: Closer scrutiny will be given to organizations and projects having the following risk factors: Organization that has been found to be non-compliant with HUD requirements. Organizations that have had two or more cancelled projects. Application/project requesting to use more than 1/2 of the total available funds. Incomplete Applications Applications without other sources of funds