CoC Application

LAST UPDATED: Friday, August 2, 2019

In this page: Description | Considerations For Funding | Terms For Funding | Policy & Priorities | HUD Threshold Requirements | New Projects |  Bonus Funding | Instructions | Support Documents

Description

MS Balance of State CoC is accepting applications for the 2020-2021 Continuum of Care funding cycle. This funding will renew/fund projects that have end dates in 2019 and continue through 2020.

MS Balance of State CoC will conduct an analysis of its existing projects to determine the extent to which each project addresses the goals of:

  • End chronic homelessness
  • End youth homelessness by 2020
  • Ending homelessness among households with children by 2020

MS Balance of State CoC may reduce and/or eliminate funds for renewal projects to develop new projects through the reallocation of those funds. Projects that are underperforming, obsolete, or ineffective may be reduced or eliminated. Projects applying for funding are subject to a review that will be conducted which may include surveying community partners and/or site visits.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR FUNDING

To be considered for funding, applicants must have at least 1 year of data in the MS Balance of State AWARDS HMIS or if providing services to victims of domestic violence, then participation is with non-identifying information in a comparable database. Also, all CoC application submissions must be in conformity to the CoC’s system-wide written program standards (click to view the standards).

TERMS FOR FUNDING

HUD will allow new projects to request funding for terms of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 15 years. Projects requesting leasing may only request up to 3 years. Project-based or sponsor-based rental assistance may request up to a 15-year term. New projects requesting capital costs (new constructions, acquisition, or rehabilitation) will be for 3 or 5 years. New projects must request at Fair Market Rent (FMR) rates. Renewals may request less than the Fair Market Rent Rate.

POLICY PRIORITIES

MS Balance of State CoC will follow HUD’s policy priorities for the FY2019 Program Competition, currently found in the FY2019 NOFA:

  1. Ending homelessness for all persons. To end homelessness, CoCs should identify, engage, and effectively serve all persons experiencing homelessness.
  2. Creating a systemic response to homelessness. CoCs should be using system performance measures such as the average length of homeless episodes, rates of return to homelessness, and rates of exit to permanent housing destinations to determine how effectively they are serving people experiencing homelessness.
  3. Strategically allocating and using resources. Using cost, performance, and outcome data, CoCs should improve how resources are utilized to end homelessness.
  4. Using an evidence-based approach. CoCs should prioritize projects that employ strong use of data and evidence, including the cost-effectiveness and impact of homelessness programs on positive housing outcomes, recovery, self-sufficiency, and reducing homelessness.
  5. Increase Employment. Employment provides people experiencing homelessness with income to afford housing. Employment also improves recovery outcomes for individuals with mental illness or addiction. CoCs and CoC-funded projects should work with local employment agencies and employers to prioritize training and employment opportunities for people experiencing homelessness.
  6. Providing Flexibility for Housing First with Service Participation Requirements. The traditional Housing First approach has two basic parts: First, individuals are rapidly placed and stabilized in permanent housing without any preconditions regarding income, work effort, sobriety or any other factor. Second, once in housing, individuals never face requirements to participate in services as a condition of retaining their housing. The first part, placement into permanent housing without preconditions, is an important priority to ensure that federal funds are allocated to providers that serve the most vulnerable homeless individuals.

HUD THRESHOLD REQUIREMENTS

  1. Applicant has active System for Award Management (SAM) registration with current information. To register for SAM, see instructions here.
  2. Applicant has valid Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number in application. To apply for a DUNS number, see instructions here.
  3. Applicant has no outstanding delinquent Federal debts– it is HUD policy, consistent with the purposes and intent of 31 USC 3720B and 28 USC 3201(e), that applicants with outstanding delinquent federal debt will not be eligible to receive an award of funds unless: (a) A negotiated repayment schedule is established and the repayment schedule is not delinquent, or (b) other arrangements satisfactory to HUD are made before the award of funds by HUD.
  4. Applicant has no Debarment and/or Suspensions from doing business with the Federal Government.
  5. Disclosed any violations of Federal criminal law.
  6. Submitted the required certifications as specified in the FY19 Competition NOFA
  7. Demonstrated the population to be served meets program eligibility requirements as described in the Act, and project application clearly established eligibility of project applicants. This includes any additional eligibility criteria for certain types of projects contained in  the FY19 Competition NOFA.
  8. Agreed to participate in the Continuum of Care’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
  9.  (If renewal project application) Met HUD expectations, including: (a) applicant performance met the plans and goals established in the initial application,(b) the applicant demonstrated timeliness standards for grant being renewed and expenditure of grant funds, (c) the applicants performance in assisting program participants to achieve and maintain independence living and records of success
  10. Met financial expectations as set forth by HUD including (a) Registering for the electronic Line of Credit Control System (eLOCCS – see registration instruction here) (b) Having Accounting Software (c) Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) (c) Annual A-133 audits (d) and other requirements as set forth by HUD
  11. Demonstrate Project is Consistent with Jurisdictional Consolidated Plan(s). The Balance of State CoC’s coverage area be viewed here: https://msbos.org/coverage-area/ 

NEW PROJECTS

New projects can only be:

  • New permanent supportive housing projects that will serve 100% chronically homeless families and individuals (Dedicated PLUS)
  • New rapid re-housing projects that will serve homeless individuals and families coming directly from the streets or emergency shelters, and includes persons fleeing domestic violence situations and other persons meeting the criteria of paragraph (4) of the definition of homelessness. This includes unaccompanied youth.
  • Joint transitional housing (TH) and permanent housing-rapid rehousing (PH-RRH) component projects that will serve homeless individuals and families including those fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking (see NOFA for further details).
  • Dedicated HMIS project (for the HMIS Lead only)
  • Supportive Services project to develop or operate a centralized or coordinated assessment system.

BONUS FUNDING

REGULAR BONUS FUNDING: HUD has also made funds available through a bonus for new projects. The CoC is eligible to apply for up to 6 percent of its Final Pro Rata Need (FPRN). The CoC may create one of the following type of new projects:

  • PH-PSH;
  • PH-RRH;
  • Joint TH and PH-RRH;
  • HMIS (dedicated) and;
  • SSO-CE

DV FUNDING BONUS: HUD has made funds available through a Domestic Violence bonus for new projects. There is 10% of PPRN available for up to 3 new projects in this grant cycle. This includes funds for rapid re-housing projects and supportive service projects providing coordinated entry and for eligible activities that the Secretary determines are critical in order to assist survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. The CoC may create up to 3 of the following type of new projects:

  • PH-RRH projects,
  • Joint TH and PH-RRH component projects,
  • or SSO projects for coordinated entry (SSO-CE)

INSTRUCTIONS

All project applications (new, renewals, and reallocations) must be completed in e-snaps, the electronic grants management system used by HUD’s Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS). If you are new to the system, click the links below to access and register for e-snaps.

A separate application must be completed in the system for each project submission, with the following attachments:

  • Most recent APR (if applicable)
  • Most recent A-133 Audit or certified Financial Statements
  • Copy of 501© (3) documentation
  • Copy of BoS Membership Certificate indicating HMIS compliance (apply here)
  • Copy of Agency Code of Conduct

NOTE: This application is to only ensure that projects meet the minimal threshold requirements of the CoC. If the application meets the minimal requirement the applicant will be included in the CoC Competition for rating and review. Applicants will receive written notice that their project has been accepted and will be ranked as part of the CoC Consolidated Application, or that their application has been denied and the reason for denial.

The application deadline is Monday, September 2, 2019 at 5:00PM Friday, August 30th, 2019 at 5:00PM. Questions about the CoC’s Application process can be directed to the CoC Director Hannah Maharrey (hmaharrey@msbos.org).

Support Documents

 

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