Description
MS Balance of State Continuum of Care is accepting applications for the CoC Builds funding opportunity. This funding targets efforts within CoC geographic areas to address and reduce persons experiencing homelessness by adding new units of permanent supportive housing (PSH) through new construction, acquisition, or rehabilitation through one-time CoCBuilds awards under the CoC Program. Overall, permanent supportive housing addresses both the immediate need for shelter and the underlying factors contributing to homelessness, leading to better outcomes for individuals and communities alike.
MS Balance of State CoC will analyze all submitted projects to determine the extent to which each project addresses the goals of:
- Increasing housing opportunities for people with high risk of levels of need.
- Increasing the supply of permanent supportive housing units within CoC geographic areas to address individuals and families experiencing homelessness where one member of the household has a disability.
- Encouraging coordination between housing providers, health care organizations, and social service providers.
- Ensuring access to resources for projects to expand opportunities for new PSH units in States with populations less than 2.5 million.
- Ensuring new PSH units are conveniently located near local services; e.g., walking distance, near reliable transportation services, provide access to tele-health.
- Affirmatively furthering fair housing by addressing barriers which perpetuate segregation, hinder access to areas of opportunity for protected class groups and concentrate affordable housing in under-resourced areas.
Only one application may be submitted to HUD unless an application is also submitted by a Tribal Designated Housing Entity (TDHE), in which case one TDHE application may also be submitted.
Application Process
Step 1: Letter of Intent
- Initial Letters of Intent and Preliminary Application are due by Tuesday, October 29th, 2024.
Step 2: Send Application to the CoC Director
- All preliminary project applications will be submitted via email to the CoC Director, Marika Baliko – cocdirector@msbos.org
- Project applications need to be submitted by the end of the day, 11:59 pm, Tuesday, October 29th, 2024
- The Preliminary Application narratives should be at least 1-2 paragraphs.
Application Note: The application has fillable fields to expand as you complete each narrative.
Step 3: Notification of Acceptance or Rejection of Applications
- Agencies will be notified if their project has been ranked or rejected on Friday, November 1st, 2024.
Step 4: Accepted Application Final Submission
- The final application from the project applicant is due Monday, November 18th, 2024 by 11:59 PM to the CoC.
- The application submitted to HUD by the Collaborative Applicant by November 21st.
Instructions
All projects will submit a preliminary application. The preliminary applications will be reviewed by a committee that will choose the most viable application. All preliminary applications must be submitted by October 29,2024 to the Interim CoC Director, Marika Baliko at cocdirector@msbos.org. The Preliminary Application narratives should be at least 1-2 paragraphs.
The following documents will also be required to submit an application:
- Most recent APR (if applicable)
- Most recent A-133 Audit or certified Financial Statements
- Copy of 501© (3) documentation
- Copy of Agency Code of Conduct
NOTE: These documents are 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 submitted as the MS BoS CoC Builds Application or that their application has been denied and the reason for denial.
Competition Timeline
| Date | Event |
| Friday, October 11, 2024 | CoC Public Announcement of Local Competition |
| Tuesday, October 29th, 2024 | Letter of Intent & Preliminary Application Submission Deadline (due in e-SNAPS) |
| Friday, November 1st, 2024 | Notify rejected/reduced applications |
| Monday, November 18th, 2024 | Final Submission |
Support Documents
Additional Forms for Application Submission
Consideration For Funding
Eligible project applicants are found at 24 CFR 578.15 and include nonprofit organizations; state governments; local governments; instrumentalities of state and local governments; Indian Tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs), as defined in section 4 of the Native Page 17 of 55 American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103); and public housing agencies, as such term is defined in 24 CFR 5.100, are eligible without limitation or exclusion. Individuals, foreign entities, and sole proprietorship organizations are not eligible to compete for, or receive, awards made under this announcement.
HUD THRESHOLD REQUIREMENTS
- The federal government requires that each entity that does business with the Federal government obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and register in the System for Award Management (SAM). To access a guide on SAM Registration & UEI Numbers, click here.
- 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.
- Applicant has no Debarment and/or Suspensions from doing business with the Federal Government.
- No outstanding civil rights matters. An applicant is ineligible for funding if the applicant has any of the charges, cause determinations, lawsuits, or letters of findings that are not resolved to HUD’s satisfaction before or on the application deadline date for this NOFO.
- Recipients or applicants must disclose in writing to the awarding program office at HUD, all violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations potentially affecting the Federal award within ten days after learning of the violation.
- Preselection Review of Performance. Before making a Federal award, HUD reviews information available through any OMB-designated repositories of government-wide eligibility qualification or financial integrity information, such as Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), and the “Do Not Pay” website. HUD may consider other public sources such as newspapers, Inspector General or Government Accountability Office reports or findings, or other complaints that have been proven to have merit.
- Sufficiency of Financial Management Systems. HUD will not award or disburse funds to applicants that do not have a financial management system that meets Federal standards as described at 2 CFR 200.302. HUD may arrange for a survey of financial management systems for applicants selected for award who have not previously received Federal financial assistance, where HUD Program officials have reason to question whether a financial management system meets Federal standards, or for applicants considered high risk based on past performance or financial management findings.
- Recipients of federal awards are prohibited from using appropriated funds for lobbying the executive or legislative branches of the Federal government in connection with a Federal award.
- Submitted the required certifications as specified in the FY24 Competition NOFO
- Agreed to participate in the Continuum of Care’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
- Demonstrate Project is Consistent with Jurisdictional Consolidated Plan(s). The Balance of State CoC’s coverage area be viewed here: https://msbos.org/coverage/
- Any false statement in an application is grounds for denial or termination of an award and possible punishment, as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
Detailed information on each requirement is found in the “Eligibility Requirements for Applicants of HUD’s Competitive Programs” document on HUD’s Funding Opportunities page. Applicants who fail to meet any of these eligibility requirements are deemed ineligible to receive HUD funding.
NEW PROJECTS
New projects are funded for the purpose of adding new permanent supportive housing (PSH) through new construction, acquisition, or reqhabilitation. HUD encourages CoCs to leverage funds provided for construction, acquisition, or rehabilitation of new PSH units with other funding sources to maximize the amount of housing that can directly meet the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness.
- No more than 20 percent of each award may be used for other eligible CoC Program activities associated with the PSH project (e.g., supportive services, operating costs)
- No more than 10 percent of an award may be used for project administration.
Final Application Information
Only one application may be submitted to HUD unless an application is also submitted by a Tribal Designated Housing Entity (TDHE), in which case one TDHE application may also be submitted. The final application will be submitted in a Word document. Narratives and other attachments to your application must follow the following format guidelines.
- Do not submit password protected or encrypted files.
- 25 Pages maximum length of narratives.
- Double spaced 12-point (minimum) Times Roman font on letter sized paper (8 1/2 x 11 inches) with at least 1-inch margins on all sides.
Each rating factor includes the maximum number of pages per rating factor. HUD will not review additional pages submitted over the limit. Budget worksheets do not count toward the maximum number of pages. For more information about Continuum of Care Builds, see FY24 CoCBuilds NOFO here: https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/CFO/documents/Foa_Content_of_FR-6800-N-25A.pdf
Forms for Submission
| Forms/Assurances/ Certifications | Submission Requirement | Notes/Description |
| Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) | This form is required. | Review section IV.B.2.a. of this NOFO for detailed application requirements. |
| Application and Recipient Assurances and Certifications (HUD 424-B) | This form is required. | Review section IV.B.2.a of this NOFO for detailed application requirements. |
| Applicant/Recipient Disclosure/Update Report (HUD 2880) | This form is required. | Review section IV.B.2.a of this NOFO for detailed application requirements. |
| Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) | This form is conditionally required. | Review section IV.B.2.a. of this NOFO for detailed application requirements. |
| Certification Regarding Lobbying Activities | This form is required. | |
| Grant Application Detailed Budget Worksheet (HUD-424-CBW) | This form is contained within the Instruction Package. | |
| Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B) | This form is required. | This form is contained within the Application Package. |
| Assurances for Construction Programs (SF-424D) | This form is required. | This form is contained within the Application Package. |
Additionally, your complete application must attach form HUD-2991, Certification of Consistency with the Consolidated Plan and you must also submit narrative responses to the following equity requirements as outlined in Section III.F: Advancing Racial Equity, Affirmative Marketing and Outreach, and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing. Each narrative should be no more than 2-pages.
Policy Priorities
The following are policy priorities specific to this NOFO:
- Increasing Affordable Housing Supply. The lack of affordable housing is the main driver of homelessness. CoCs, applicants, and developers should partner to determine an economical way to increase permanent supportive housing supply for individuals and families experiencing homelessness that considers adaptive reuse and conversion of hotel properties. Additionally, CoCs and applicants should engage local leaders to mitigate zoning and land use issues that may impact adding permanent supportive housing units to the CoC’s housing stock.
- Ensuring Access to Supportive Services and Public Services. Providing voluntary supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, particularly for these households that also include a family member who has a disability, can ensure the households have the tools and resources needed to successfully maintain permanent housing. Applicants must ensure households that will reside in the units developed under this NOFO will have access to CoC Program supportive services as well as other public services such as easy access to local parks and recreation, post office, etc.
- Partnering with Housing, Health, and Service Agencies. Using cost performance and outcome data, applicants should improve how all available resources are utilized to end homelessness. HUD encourages CoCs to maximize the use of mainstream and other community-based resources when serving persons experiencing homelessness and should:
- Work closely with public and private healthcare organizations and assist program participants who are interested in assistance with receiving primary care, housing related services, and with obtaining medical insurance to address healthcare needs. This includes developing close partnerships with public health agencies to analyze data and design approaches that reduce homelessness, improve the health of people experiencing homelessness, and prevent and address disease outbreaks, including HIV/AIDS.
- Partner closely with PHAs and state and local housing organizations to utilize coordinated entry, develop housing units, and provide housing subsidies to people experiencing homelessness. These partnerships can also help CoC Program participants exit permanent supportive housing through Housing Choice Vouchers and other available housing options.
- Partner with local workforce development centers to improve employment opportunities.
- Work with Tribes and Tribal organizations to ensure that Tribal members can access CoC funded assistance when a CoC’s geographic area borders a Tribal area.
Rating Factors
The application is based on 100 points and has a minimum score threshold of 60 points. Each rating factor includes a maximum number of pages per response. HUD will only read the number of pages indicated. Any pages above the maximum length will not be reviewed or considered.
| Factor | Maximum Points |
| Development Experience and Leveraging | 24 points |
| Managing Homeless Projects | 12 points |
| Implementation Schedule | 12 points |
| Property Maintenance | 5 points |
| Unmet Housing Need | 7 points |
| Management of Rental Housing | 10 points |
| Coordinated Entry | 3 points |
| Coordination with Housing Providers, Healthcare Organizations, and Social Service Providers | 10 points |
| Experience Promoting Racial Equity | 8 points |
| Community Integration for Persons with Disabilities | 7 points |
| Section 3 Requirement | 2 points |
