STATE OF CALIFORNIA EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT PROGRAM 2017 OPERATING YEAR REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS I. OVERVIEW The State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program provides funding to: (1) engage homeless individuals and families living on the street; (2) improve the number and quality of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families; (3) help operate these shelters; (4) provide essential services to shelter residents; (5) rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families; and (6) prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless. For FY 2017-18, the ESG program will operate under HCD s redesigned process. For non-entitlement areas such as Kings and Tulare Counties, the ESG program will be administered by HCD under the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act through the Balance of State (BoS) Allocation. The total available is estimated at $643,045 for the 2017 HCD ESG funding cycle. Applicants in the Kings and Tulare County service area may apply for projects in the Noncompetitive Rapid Rehousing Set-Aside and/or Regional Competition as described below. At least 50% of the available funding must be spent on Rapid Re- Housing projects. The remaining 50% may be spent on Emergency Shelter, Rapid Re-Housing, or Street Outreach projects. A. Noncompetitive Rapid Rehousing Set-Aside Approximately $321,522 will be available through the Noncompetitive Rapid Rehousing Set-Aside. Within this allocation pool, the Alliance will select two projects to receive these funds. These funds are exclusively for Rapid Rehousing (RR) projects. HCD will administer these contracts directly with providers. The minimum amount for grants is $75,000 and maximum is $200,000. B. Regional Competition Remaining funds within the BoS Allocation will be divided into three regional allocations pursuant to 8404 (a) (3). Projects within the Kings and Tulare County service area will compete for funding through the Central and Imperial Valley Region of the HCD Regional Competition. The Alliance will recommend up to two projects to compete for funds in the regional competition. These selected applicants will need to complete the HCD ESG application in addition to the Alliance RFA. Applicants must follow both the Alliance RFA and HCD NOFA processes. Additionally, applicants are responsible for meeting all HCD ESG NOFA timelines, which are separate from this NOFA. ESG Rating and Ranking Criteria Page 1 of 13
II. FAMILIARIZATION WITH REGULATIONS It is the responsibility of each applicant applying for ESG funding to become familiar with the HUD ESG regulations (Federal register Vol. 76, No. 233, Dated Monday, December 5, 2011). These regulations can be found on the HUD Exchange web site at https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/1927/hearth-esg-programand-consolidated-plan-conforming-amendments/. In addition to Federal regulations, applicants must familiarize themselves with the State ESG regulations which can be found at http://www.hcd.ca.gov/grantsfunding/active-funding/esg.shtml. III. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE A mandatory technical assistance workshop on the RFA and application process will be held Thursday, June 29, from 10:00am-11:30am at the Alliance office located at 525 W. Center Avenue, Suite A in Visalia, CA. Please register for this training by visiting https://www.eventbrite.com/e/emergency-solutions-granttechnical-assistance-workshop-tickets-35525563918. IV. TIMELINE Activity Timeline RFA Released June 22, 2017 Technical Assistance Workshop June 29, 2017 Applications Due to Alliance July 10, 2017 3:00 pm Rating & Ranking of Applications July 12, 2017 Alliance Board Approval of R&R Recommendations July 13, 2017 Membership Adoption of R&R Recommendations July 27, 2017 Regional Competition Applications Due to HCD TBA Applicant Recommendation to HCD for Regional Competition TBA V. APPLICATION FORMAT A. All Applicants must use the attached application template in Appendix C. Please note that this application is the only application that needs to be completed for the Noncompetitive Rapid Rehousing Set-Aside. Applicants entering the Regional Competition will also need to complete the HCD ESG FY 2017-18 application and follow all HCD deadlines. B. Please be succinct in all responses and observe word limits wherever noted. C. No supplemental and/or supporting materials will be accepted, unless noted in the application. D. Do NOT have the application materials bound or placed in binders. Please use either binder clips or acco fasteners. E. Submit four (4) hardcopies and one (1) electronic copy (PDF format) of all application materials by July 10, 2017 at 3:00 pm. Hardcopies must be delivered to the Alliance office located at 525 W. Center Avenue, Suite A in Visalia. Electronic materials must be submitted to Machael Smith at msmith@kthomelessalliance.org. You will receive an email receipt for your submission. If a receipt is not received within two (2) business days of submission, you must follow up to ensure you receive a submission receipt. ESG Rating and Ranking Criteria Page 2 of 13
VI. RATING AND RANKING PROCESS The HCD ESG FY2017 RFA rating and ranking will be conducted as follows: A neutral committee of three or more individuals will be appointed by the Alliance Board of Directors to rate and rank project submissions and assign point scores. Committee members will be familiar with housing and homeless needs and be willing to review projects with the best interest of homeless persons in mind. ESG Rating & Ranking Committee members must sign a statement declaring that they have no conflict of interest in addition to a confidentiality agreement. Final ranking and scoring for projects will be put in writing, and signed by all members of the Rating & Ranking Committee. The Rating & Ranking Committee will verify that the following threshold requirements are met: Confirmation that an agency representative attended the mandatory technical assistance workshop; The proposed project will operate, or facilities will be located, within Kings or Tulare county service area; and A complete PDF copy of the Alliance ESG Application was received via email to msmith@kthomelessalliance.org by July 10, 2017 at 3:00 pm. The Alliance will evaluate, score and priority rank project proposals based on the Balance of State Local Scoring Matrix located in Appendix A of this document. You may direct questions about the local application to Machael Smith, Executive Director, at (559) 331-5237 or msmith@kthomelessalliance.org. For questions about the HCD Regional Competition application, please refer to the HCD FY 2017-18 NOFA contact information. ESG Rating and Ranking Criteria Page 3 of 13
APPENDIX A: BALANCE OF STATE LOCAL SCORING MATRIX ESG Rating and Ranking Criteria Page 4 of 13
BALANCE OF STATE LOCAL SCORING MATRIX 100 POINTS MAXIMUM Applicant Capacity Scoring Scale: 1-5 Weight: 3 Max. Score: 15 Experience providing similar services and assistance Experience addressing the needs of the target population(s) Sufficient capacity for project oversight and administration Adequate capacity for data collection and reporting Financial Feasibility & Capacity Scoring Scale: 1-5 Weight: 3 Max. Score: 15 Sufficient capacity to operate the project based on its budget Sufficient capacity to effectively manage the finances of the project Timely audited financial statements per 2 CFR 200.501. Otherwise timely completion of 990 Reasonable project costs Degree to which applicant leverages other resources Need Scoring Scale: 1-5 Weight: 6 Max. Score: 30 Project is in alignment with Alliance funding priorities Fills what would otherwise be a gap in homeless services within service area Demand for project within service area Evidence used to support the need Project Design Scoring Scale: 1-5 Weight: 6 Max. Score: 30 Quality of service delivery (e.g. reasonable project staffing, budget relative to program design, services offered) Use of best practices such as Housing First and SOAR models Coordination with other activities and funding within the region Connections to mainstream resources Project outcomes and objectives appear reasonable Alliance Participation Scoring Scale: 1-5 Weight: 2 Max. Score: 10 Applicant s organization participates in at least one Alliance committee Participates in HMIS (if currently funded), or has participated with past projects Participates in the Coordinated Entry System ESG Rating and Ranking Criteria Page 5 of 13
APPENDIX B: KINGS/TULARE FY 2017-18 ESG FUNDING PRIORITIES ESG Rating and Ranking Criteria Page 6 of 13
KINGS AND TULARE COUNTIES EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANTS FUNDING PRIORITIES 2017-2018 The Kings/Tulare Homeless Alliance has established the following local housing priorities for the Emergency Solutions Grant funding competition 1. In addition to meeting one of the identified housing priorities in the table below, all projects seeking funding must: 1) Maximize the use of mainstream benefits, including: a. Coordinate with existing mainstream resources to enroll participants in eligible programs and connect them to community based services; and b. Actively enroll participants in healthcare and/or assist participants in understanding and accessing expanded services available through the Affordable Care Act changes; and c. Secure funding for services through mainstream resource programs and other partnerships. 2) Work to remove barriers to local resources by: a. Prioritizing those most in need of services through the use of the VI-SPDAT and Housing Priority List; b. Actively participating in Every Door Open, the Kings/Tulare coordinated assessment system; and c. Working to reduce the number of people exiting for unknown reasons or negative reasons. Priority Level High High High Medium Focus Area Existing emergency shelter projects. New emergency shelter projects that dedicate all beds to referrals from the Coordinated Entry System. Rapid Re-housing projects. All other projects. DRAFT 1 In addition to meeting a local housing priority, all projects will go through the Alliance s Rating & Ranking process. ESG Rating and Ranking Criteria Page 7 of 13
APPENDIX C: FUNDING APPLICATION ESG Rating and Ranking Criteria Page 8 of 13
APPLICATION FOR FUNDING EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANTS 2017 FUNDING CYCLE I. Applicant Information Organization Name: Organization Address: Primary Contact Person: Telephone Number: Tax Identification #: Title: E-Mail Address: DUNS Number: Is the agency a 501c? Yes No Years in Operation: II. Applicant Capacity and Financial Information Date Most Recent Form 990 Filed: Does your organization have any outstanding financial audit findings that remain unresolved, outstanding litigation, or other legal issues? If yes, please explain. Has your organization previously received State ESG funds? Yes No If yes, please complete the table below for the most recent 5 years. Operating Year Grant Number Activity/ies Grant Amount ESG Rating and Ranking Criteria Page 9 of 13
III. Project Information Project Name: Request: $ Project Service Area (select only one): Kings County Tulare County Kings & Tulare Counties Which activity/ies best describe(s) the project? Street Outreach Emergency Shelter Rapid Re-Housing HMIS Coordinated Entry Identify the population(s) that the project will serve: Single Males Single Females Couples Only, No Children Households with Children Unaccompanied Males under 18 Years Old Unaccompanied Females under 18 Years Old Is the project primarily a domestic violence or victim services project? Yes No IV. Project Narrative Please answer these questions in a separate Project Narrative attached to this Application. Please be concise and answer all components of the question. The Project Narrative should not exceed 8 pages. 1. Provide a summary of the project. Include a description of how the project will benefit the target population(s) and identify any best practices that will be utilized. 2. Describe the unmet community need to project proposes to meet and describe the data sources, methodology and resources used to identify this unmet need. 3. Describe how the project will support local funding priorities and ESG objectives. 4. Describe how participants will be referred to the project and strategies the project will use to reach those most in need. 5. Describe how project staff will (1) determine the eligibility of project participants for ESG-funded assistance; (2) ensure the provision of ESG-eligible services in accordance with best practices; and (3) document program performance and outcomes, including participation in HMIS or comparable database. 6. Describe the intended use of grant funds. Please be specific on how State ESG funds will be spent. 7. Identify existing or planned staff positions (paid and unpaid, regardless of funding source) that will be dedicated in whole or part to the project. Please indicate the FTEs dedicated to the project for each position. 8. Describe how your agency would ensure that program participants are assisted in obtaining mainstream services and financial assistance, including housing, social services, employment, education, and youth programs for which participants may be eligible. V. Program Requirements 1. Coordinated Entry Does your agency currently participate in the Coordinated Entry System (including making referrals to and accepting referrals from the CES)? Yes No ESG Rating and Ranking Criteria Page 10 of 13
2. HMIS Does your agency contribute data to the HMIS (Homeless Management Information System)? Yes No 3. Housing First Will the proposed project utilize a low barrier, housing first model? Yes No 4. Alliance Participation Describe your agency s involvement in the Alliance. Include committee participation, meeting attendance, etc. VI. Projected Accomplishments Street Outreach Average number of persons to be served daily Total unduplicated number of persons to be served Total unduplicated number of households to be served % of participants will move into safe housing at project exit % of participants will move into permanent housing at project exit % of adult participants will obtain earned income at project exit % of adult participants will obtain cash/non-cash benefits at project exit Emergency Shelter Number of year-round beds Total unduplicated number of persons to be served Total unduplicated number of households to be served % of participants will move into permanent housing at project exit % of adult participants will obtain earned income at project exit % of adult participants will obtain cash/non-cash benefits at project exit ESG Rating and Ranking Criteria Page 11 of 13
Rapid Re-housing Number of year-round beds Total unduplicated number of persons to be served Total unduplicated number of households to be served % of participants will move into permanent housing at project exit % of adult participants will obtain earned income at project exit % of adult participants will obtain cash/non-cash benefits at project exit % of participants will remain in permanent housing for 6 months VII. Required Attachments Budget Workbook Board of Directors roster Organizational Chart Non-Profit Determination Letter from the IRS Most recent financial audit Only applicable for agencies with an operating budget of $500,000 or more. Please submit only one copy of audit. Annual Performance Report (APR) generated from HMIS for the period beginning October 1, 2015 and ending September 30, 2016 2. 2 For applicants without a full year operating period, please provide an HMIS generated report from a similar project or operating year. ESG Rating and Ranking Criteria Page 12 of 13
VIII. CERTIFICATION I certify that: 1. To the best of my knowledge and belief, the information in this application is true and correct. 2. The undersigned is an authorized certifying official of the organization here represented and is authorized to submit this application on their behalf. 3. The organization responsible for carrying out the project activities under this proposal will comply with all applicable local and federal laws and regulations. 4. The organization will provide in a timely manner for citizen participation, public hearings, and access to information with respect to the proposed project/program. Organization Name: Project Name: Project Address: Certifying Official: Title: Signature: Date: ESG Rating and Ranking Criteria Page 13 of 13