The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development released two Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for which the Alliance and other Marion-Polk region nonprofit organizations, governments, faith-based organizations, and tribal organizations are eligible to apply: the annual NOFO for the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program funding and a special NOFO for unsheltered homelessness.
The Request for Proposals, which was released on August 12, combines these two grant opportunities into one local competition. We strongly encourage organizations throughout Marion and Polk counties to apply to the Alliance for these funds, because it gives local organizations a unique opportunity — especially with the designated unsheltered funds from the new NOFO. Applicants should move quickly, as applications are due August 31, 2022.
HUD’s Annual CoC Program NOFO
HUD’s CoC Program funding supports a broad array of interventions designed to assist individuals and families experiencing homelessness, particularly those living in places not meant for habitation, located in sheltering programs, or at imminent risk of experiencing homelessness.
The annual funding opportunity is open and accepting project applications for currently funded programs, domestic violence programs, and for new programs from applicants not previously receiving CoC funding. The one-year funding amount available for projects in the Marion-Polk region is estimated at $1,176,395 for renewal projects, $61,916 for new projects, and $95,028 for new domestic violence projects.
Applications that address a combination of both local and federal priorities will be prioritized in the review and ranking process. Applicants may review the Scoring Tools posted on the the website for details about how each project type will be scored. HUD is requiring that local project applications be submitted no later than thirty days prior to the HUD submission date of September 30, which means local applications are due by August 31.
HUD’s Special NOFO to Address Unsheltered Homelessness
The Alliance is also accepting project applications for HUD’s recently announced NOFO to address unsheltered homelessness for people with severe service needs. The Initiative for Unsheltered and Rural Homelessness promotes partnerships with health care organizations, public housing authorities and housing providers, and people with lived experience with homelessness. This is a competitive, nationwide grant competition. If successful, projects in the Marion-Polk region will be awarded $1.1 million over three years.
Application Information
The official Request for Proposals (RFP) for both funding opportunities will be released on Friday, August 12. In the meantime, interested applicants may review the scoring tools, process documents, and other resource links.
We recognize that this year’s timeline is very tight and commit to providing you with information as quickly as we receive it from HUD. We encourage potential applicants to participate in the Applicant Workshop on Tuesday, August 16, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. which will also provide helpful information.
Priorities and minimum requirements include:
- Use of the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for data reporting and the region’s Coordinated Entry System for placing people in housing
- A Housing First approach
- Positive contribution to HUD’s System Performance Measures
- Alignment with the Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance Strategic Plan
- Projects focused on serving:
- Those experiencing chronic homelessness and mental health concerns (This is the priority subpopulation for unsheltered homelessness projects.)
- Youth
- Those fleeing from domestic violence, sexual assault and/or human trafficking
- Families
- Veterans
- LGBTQ populations
- BIPOC and other culturally specific populations
People with disabilities needing assistance in accessing and reviewing materials and people needing information about the RFP process may contact:
- Jan Calvin, calvin.jan@yahoo.com, 503-551-4352
- Janet Carlson, jcarlson4560@gmail.com, 503-569-0376
All photos in this post provided by Church at the Park.