NOTICES
HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY
Housing Coordinator Program; Invitation to Submit Proposals
[32 Pa.B. 3446] The Housing Finance Agency (HFA) invites proposals from entities or individuals seeking funding to create a Housing Coordinator Program (Program). The purpose of the Program is to create a bridge between the Medicaid home and community-based programs (Waiver Programs) and the housing sector within this Commonwealth.
The HFA administers an array of housing funding programs for homeownership, rental housing, emergency mortgage assistance and related supportive housing programs. A complete list of existing HFA programs, application deadlines and contact information is available at www.phfa.org. The HFA is authorized, among other things, to cooperate with and assist other agencies of State government in carrying out the powers and duties vested in it, to accept money from and enter into agreements with these agencies and to provide housing options and opportunities for persons with disabilities or other special needs.
The General Appropriations Act of 2001 provided funding authority to the Department of Public Welfare (DPW), along with matching Federal funds, for the coordination of the availability of local housing opportunities for persons participating in Waiver Programs.
The DPW and the HFA have identified the need to coordinate the Waiver Programs provided by the DPW with the expertise in housing and housing related issues of the HFA to develop a Program to assist persons with disabilities, who are eligible for one or more of the DPW's Waiver Programs, find safe, accessible and affordable housing.
The DPW has agreed to make available to the HFA the sum of up to $600,000 for this Program over a 3-year period.
Program Objectives
The HFA is inviting submission of proposals from individuals and/or profit or nonprofit groups seeking funding for the Program. The HFA will fund one of the proposals submitted and reserves the right to not select any of the proposals submitted. The proposals submitted will be reviewed by staff of the DPW and the HFA and the review may take into consideration factors such as the HFA and the DPW in their discretion deem appropriate. The entity eventually selected will work directly with the DPW or one or more of its designated service providers to assist eligible individuals find housing.
Program Criteria
Proposals submitted should provide a narrative description, which clearly and concisely:
* Identifies the targeted need and population to be served.
* Offers a detailed explanation of how the needs of the identified population will be served (offices, staff and networks of entities in local communities with whom they will work).
* Sets forth a multiyear budget (3 years) for the Program.
* Outlines specific benchmarks and timeframes for performing and accomplishing the goals of the proposal.
* Specifies the amount of funding requested and explains how the funds will be used to create a viable strategy for fulfilling the identified housing needs on a Statewide basis. (Note: These funds may not be used for bricks and mortar, housing development or directly related expenditures to provide housing, such as land acquisition, housing construction or purchase, provision of mortgages, and the like.)
* Identifies who the participants in the Program will be and describes their expertise in providing the services anticipated by the Initiative.
Proposals should delineate and describe the categories of persons being targeted through the Program and the duration of the funded program. As much detail as possible should be provided regarding the expectations and outcomes of the program and the expected dates for accomplishing the outcomes. A proposal that displays the ability to provide services quickly will be preferred over one that requires a longer ''startup'' period. The HFA encourages submission of Proposals with participation of entities designated as minority business enterprises, woman business enterprises or disabled business enterprises and which affirmatively further fair housing.
At a minimum, the entity selected must:
* Have a Statewide presence and be capable of providing services, either directly or through affiliated organizations, throughout this Commonwealth.
* Have direct experience in working with local and State housing authorities and other housing providers and programs throughout this Commonwealth.
* Have an understanding of and experience in dealing with local, State and Federal programs that provide assistance for housing, in particular housing programs for persons with disabilities.
* Have an understanding of and experience in dealing with local, State and Federal resources to assist individuals with disabilities to live independently in the community.
* Demonstrate a commitment to individuals with disabilities throughout its organizational structure.
* Have had direct experience and positive results in assisting persons with disabilities find safe, accessible and affordable housing of their choice.
* Have an understanding of all aspects of the DPW Waiver Programs.
The entity selected will be required, among other things, to:
* Designate a full-time person to coordinate the initiative.
* Develop a plan for the coordination of activities throughout this Commonwealth and for the allocation of available funds to local areas.
* Work with the DPW and its service providers in the process of assisting persons with disabilities find housing.
* Meet all reporting requirements established by the DPW and/or the HFA.
* Work with local agencies, private and public organizations and others to develop housing options and opportunities for persons with disabilities.
* Limit the use of funds to assisting individuals find or apply for housing.
All HFA funding is subject to the availability of funding, ongoing program requirements, the housing finance agency law and all other applicable Federal, State and local laws and regulations.
It is expected that one applicant will be selected to provide services and that a contract for services in the form and manner selected by the HFA and the DPW will be entered into to govern the administration of the contract. The selected applicant must comply with all applicable State and Federal laws regarding employment and nondiscrimination and contractor integrity. Evidence of substantial ongoing progress will be required throughout the contract period. The HFA may recapture funds or terminate any commitment or funding reservation in the event of material deviations from the projected timeframes or if benchmarks are not met.
Application Process
Applicants should submit four complete copies of the Housing Coordinator Proposal to Lisa J. Yaffe, Director, Housing Services Division, Housing Finance Agency, 2101 North Front Street, P. O. Box 8029, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8029.
Proposals must be received by the HFA no later than 2 p.m. Friday, August 16, 2002.
The proposal/application material will become the property of the HFA. The HFA reserves the right to change, modify, amend or withdraw this request for proposal at any time, without notice, and to amend or modify this program at any time and may determine to discontinue this program at any time. Costs associated with this proposal/application will be the responsibility of the applicant. Questions regarding the program may be submitted to Theresa Yaffe in writing, by means of mail, fax (717) 780-3867 or e-mail at lyaffe@phfa.org. Additional information about the program may be made available from time to time at the HFA's website at www.phfa.org.
Information regarding funding decisions is expected to be available in September 2002.
WILLIAM C. BOSTIC,
Executive Director
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 02-1217. Filed for public inspection July 12, 2002, 9:00 a.m.]
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