Request for Proposals for Choice Neighborhoods Action Activities:
HABC Responses to Questions Received
Last updated: January 6, 2020
Responses to questions about the Request for Proposals (“RFP”)
1. The RFP doesn’t indicate if city agencies are eligible to apply. Please confirm if Baltimore City Agencies are eligible to apply.
RESPONSE: There are no restrictions on who can apply.
2. I did not see that there was a floor and/or ceiling limit on the amount of grants. Has a dollar range been established? Also, how many grants are anticipated to be funded from the available amount?
RESPONSE: No range has been established for grant requests. As a result, it is not possible to anticipate the number of grants funded by the $1,235,000. Based upon their ranking, HABC will submit as many of the eligible proposals to HUD for approval as funding will permit.
3. Will an association or organization be hurting its chances of being awarded a grant if it submits more than 1 response to the RFP?
RESPONSE: There is no limit on the number of applications per individual entity.
4. Can you please upload Attachment 2 separately and convert it into an editable document on the Transform Poe website?
RESPONSE: Yes – please open link and download Activity Proposal Submission Form: https://www.habc.org/habc-information/programs-departments/planning-development/transform-poe/transform-poe-documents/
5. Would security cameras be eligible (For businesses and residents wanting to create a network that police can tap into)?
RESPONSE: While HUD does not explicitly state that security cameras are ineligible, they have not supported security cameras at other grant-funded sites.
6. Is a match required in order to receive Action Grant funds?
RESPONSE: A MATCH IS NOT REQUIRED. HOWEVER, ONE OF THE SCORING CRITERIA IS THAT PROJECTS LEVERAGE OTHER FUNDING. APPLICANTS MUST INCLUDE A SOURCES AND USES BUDGET. Please see Section IV: Submission Requirements.
7. Did the Neighborhood committee whittle down their preferences for how we spend this money or what we should apply for?
RESPONSE: Please check Section IV: “submission requirements” in the RFP for more details and peruse the 4th bullet: “description of how the proposed action activity addresses at least 1 of the following community priorities.” The following six (6) priorities are listed:
- Improve safety and security
- Increase economic opportunity
- Provide new recreational facility or interactive open space
- Provide neighborhood conveniences and commercial amenities
- Reclaim vacant or blighted property
- Be a Fresh Food initiative
8. Would enhancements to an existing pool be an eligible use of funds?
RESPONSE: Please email brian.greenan@habc.org with a more detailed description of how enhancements are defined. Action Activities funds cannot be used for basic infrastructure or as a substitute for basic municipal services. You can refer to Section II, B “How Action Activities Funds Can Be Used” in the RFP for more details.
9. Can money be used to buy vacant houses and/or vacant land and then be donated to an organization like Habitat for Humanity?
RESPONSE: HUD guidance states that Action Activities funding cannot be used for housing development activities including acquisition, relocation, demolition and remediation, rehabilitation or construction. HUD does qualify its policy by stating that any investment in housing must carry a 20-year affordability requirement. So, it does appear to leave open the possibility that property/land acquired with Action Activities funding could possibly be used for housing investments that carry a 20-year affordability restriction.
10. I am reviewing the guidance provided by HABC and have the following questions https://www.habc.org/media/2044/poe-action-activity-request-for-proposals-final-11262019.pdf
Page 4, section C of the guidance says we can use the money for "land banking." However, section B says we can't use funds for housing rehab. But that doesn't mean we could later convert the land to housing, right? The first asterisk says that if we do that the housing simply carries a 20-year affordability requirement. Please explain.
RESPONSE: HUD guidance states that Action Activities funding cannot be used for housing development activities including acquisition, relocation, demolition and remediation, rehabilitation or construction. HUD does qualify its policy by stating that any investment in housing must carry a 20-year affordability requirement. So, it does appear to leave open the possibility that property/land acquired with Action Activities funding could possibly be used for housing investments that carry a 20-year affordability
restriction.
The proposer will need to make a compelling case that the investment is an “innovative solution to neighborhood challenges” and thus will create a significant impact in the neighborhood. Please note that the final approval is up to HUD (i.e. whether to approve the proposed use of funds).
11. It is confusing that the RFP requirements allow "gap financing" for "economic development projects," but not housing rehab. Does that mean [that] the gap financing is more commercial over residential?
RESPONSE: Yes, HUD considers economic development projects to be more commercial in nature, such as the creation of a Commercial Kitchen or workforce development-type of ‘Maker-space’.
12. Will there be a requirement for letters of support to prove commitment from partners who will be assisting with implementation? Or at least a verification that this is true? (See RFP pdf, page 6 --"Identification of the lead implementation entity and any other key partners who will assist with implementation"); I see funding requirements need clear proof of commitment (see pdf, page 25), but what about administration?
RESPONSE: Commitment letters are not required for the Action Activity Submission Form that is due by January 15, 2020. However, if a project is among the top-scoring proposals selected for Phase 4- Refinement and HUD Submission, more detailed information such as commitment letters and/or proof of funding leverage (i.e. proof that you have other sources of funds) will be required as part of the Action Activities Plan submittal to HUD (the latter of which is due to HUD by June 4, 2020).
13. Do you have an example of when ‘Project Operational Budget’ would be relevant in this grant (see pdf, page 25)?
RESPONSE: As examples, if Action Activities funding is proposed to construct or rehab a Community/Recreation Center, a Commercial Kitchen or space for a Public/Farmers market. HUD will want assurances that provisions have been made to operate and maintain the facility well into the future.
14. Do you have an example of what is meant by "Program/Policy Guidelines" (see pdf, page 26)? Would that be like the program criteria for a facade improvement grant?
RESPONSE: Yes, program criteria for a homeowner or business façade improvement program are good examples of instances in which Program/Policy Guidelines will be required of the top-scoring proposals selected for ‘Phase 4 - Refinement and HUD Submission’. Final versions of the top-scoring proposals are due by June 4, 2020.
15. Our company would like to improve safety and security for our property. We have a security consultant who will do a comprehensive assessment of the property. He/she may recommend that we need gates with buzzers, security cameras, and/or key fob access.
Would applications be considered for a portion of the idea that is submitted? For example, they may look at our application and not want to fund security cameras but are okay with gates with buzzers and key fob access.
Would submitting one application hurt us, or should we send three [3] separate applications for different items for security improvements?
RESPONSE: HUD guidance states that Action Activities funding cannot be used for housing development activities such as acquisition, relocation, demolition and remediation, rehabilitation, or construction. This coupled with HUD’s desire to use the funds for innovative solutions to neighborhood challenges makes it unlikely that they would fund improvements to individual residential properties such as the above proposal.
16. I understand that the top scoring ideas in each [review] Phase with a minimum of 75 points will be selected in each [review] Phase. Is the selection a percentage of applicants above this minimum? How is it calculated?
RESPONSE: The threshold of 75 points only refers to small and micro-projects that want to be considered for the $100,000 set aside. In order to be considered for this set-aside, the proposed small/micro project must receive a minimum of 75 points out of the possible 100 points during the Phase 2 Preliminary Community Review and, again, during the Phase 3 Technical Review.
17. [Is there] any way to use HUD funds as gap financing for rehab of vacant properties to lease to working families? We have 3 contiguous properties that are being held for us by Baltimore City’s receiver, One House at a Time (OHAAT). The properties are in the planning area and need full gut rehab. Each property needs about $300k worth of work (they are 3,000+ square feet), but local lenders aren’t willing to lend more than $200k. [Can we use HUD] money for [structural] stabilization of the property?
RESPONSE: HUD guidance states that Action Activities funding cannot be used for housing development activities including acquisition, relocation, demolition and remediation, rehabilitation or construction. HUD does qualify its policy by stating that any investment in housing must carry a 20-year affordability requirement. So, it does appear to leave open the possibility that property/land acquired with Action Activities funding could possibly be used for housing investments that carry a 20-year affordability restriction. The proposer will need to make a compelling case that the investment is an “innovative solution to neighborhood challenges” and thus will create a significant impact in the neighborhood. Please note that the final approval is up to HUD (i.e. whether to approve the proposed use of funds).
18. Would it be better to submit 3 separate responses to the RFP outlining 3 action activities/goals, OR to submit one application for a large sum outlining 3 main goals of a cohesive program?
RESPONSE: A single application that outlines each specific action activity is recommended. The reviewer must be able to clearly review and rate each activity on its own.
19. Can the grant money be used for the purchase of vacant properties (i.e. houses), and the rehab of vacant properties (i.e. houses) for rental or homeownership to enhance the quality and improvement of the neighborhood?
RESPONSE: HUD guidance states that Action Activities funding cannot be used for housing development activities including acquisition, relocation, demolition and remediation, rehabilitation or construction. HUD does qualify its policy by stating that any investment in housing must carry a 20-year affordability requirement. So, it does appear to leave open the possibility that property/land acquired with Action Activities funding could possibly be used for housing investments that carry a 20-year affordability restriction.
20. Can the grant be used to purchase or rehab buildings for community usage? Examples: childcare center, early education, seniors, training or the trades.
RESPONSE: While not specifically noted as examples in the HUD guidance, purchase or rehab of buildings for community usage as described in the above question could potentially be eligible Action Activities, particularly if the use is for an economic development activity that is ready for implementation, and all the necessary financing has been secured except for a modest "gap".
21. Can the grant be used to pay salaries for program?
RESPONSE: No - Action Activities funds must be used for physical neighborhood improvements, specifically community development or economic development projects that enhance and accelerate
the transformation of the neighborhood. Per HUD guidance, Action Activities funds cannot be used for
non-physical uses, such as supportive services, administrative costs (e.g., staffing, meeting space), and
marketing.
22. Can the [HUD] grant money be used to support a project that has a different funding [source]? (Grant) Ex. [a project that has another grant for] playgrounds, bleachers.
RESPONSE: Yes - Action Activities funding can be used as gap financing for a project that has secured other funding commitments. In fact, one of the scoring criteria is whether the proposed Action Activity leverages other activities/investments in the community. More points will be awarded for activities that
build on or support other planned or on-going investments.
23. How can this money help existing home[owners] and property owners?
RESPONSE: Action Activities funds are for physical neighborhood improvements, specifically community development or economic development projects that enhance and accelerate the transformation of the neighborhood. Action Activity funds are flexible funds that must be responsive to the neighborhoods’ needs and build upon the Transformation Plan. These funds should be used for innovative solutions to neighborhood challenges.
24. Will there be help with finding persons, organizations, or investors to assist with projects?
RESPONSE: The Southwest Partnership (“SWP”) has graciously offered technical assistance to help anyone complete their HUD Action Activities grant application until Friday, January 10, 2020. For additional information, please email: grants@southwestpartnershipbaltimore.org
To book an appointment, please schedule online here:
https://southwestpartnershipbaltimore.org/poe-homes/
Any other questions or concerns: grants@swpbal.org or call the SWP office: 667-210-2105.
25. Will the two communities (Population and Hollins) come together with ideas to submit collectively?
RESPONSE: Anyone can submit an application individually or collectively.
26. Who are the people whom will be meeting with the community and when will they begin?
RESPONSE: The RFP does not require proposers to make a presentation to the community as part of the proposal submission. Proposals will be evaluated by the four (4) neighborhood associations, based upon information provided on the Action Activity Submission Form. Please email brian.greenan@habc.org with a more detailed description if the intended question was not answered.
HABC posted all answers to questions received about the Request for Proposals by the
December 31 st ‘question’ deadline.
Note: the deadline for HUD Action Activities grant applications is January 15, 2020!
Thanks for your interest in transforming the Poe/Poppleton/Hollins community into a Choice
Neighborhood! Please visit Transform Poe’s website for past meeting notes, meeting
presentations, and other materials:
