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CITY OF HATTIESBURG

2024 Request for Proposal
Non-Congregate Shelter: Property Acquisition/Rehabilitation

Introduction:

This Request for Proposal (RFP) is seeking applications from agencies interested in
providing property acquisition and/or development of a non-congregate shelter with program operations and supportive services with on-site behavioral health resources, for single adults and couples who are experiencing brief or extended periods of chronic homelessness. The City of Hattiesburg may offer up to $914,161.40, towards property acquisition and/or development.

Property acquisition and/or site development is defined as an applicant that:

• Purchases, owns or has access to property that meets the City of Hattiesburg Site and Code Requirements and must maintain site control by the grantee for a minimum of 10 years from the date of final payment and be used for the same purpose expressed in your application and/or contract for this RFP; and
• Interest and/or experience developing property and setting up non-congregate shelter options such as modular, pods, pallets or tiny house dwellings.

The intent of the City of Hattiesburg Based Non-Congregate Shelter RFP is to:

• Help people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the city of Hattiesburg to quickly find safe alternatives to the streets and encampments through an investment in non-congregate shelter dwelling(s) that focus on rapid exits to permanent housing; and
• Promote system transformation to rapidly exit those served from non-congregate shelter to permanent housing.

Completed applications will be reviewed by a rating team composed of community members, subject matter experts (SME's), and designated CoH employees.

Submittal Instructions

Applications will be rated on the information requested in this RFP, and any clarifying information requested by CoH. Answer each section completely. Do not include additional agency cover letters or brochures with your application. Applications that do not follow the required format may not be rated.

Required format:

• Typed and formatted to letter-size (8 ½ x 11-inch) paper;
• Use one-inch margins, single spacing, and minimum size 11-point font;
• Convert each narrative into a PDF file before submission CoH; and
• Sections A-E shall not be longer than 9 pages per program area (requested attachments will not count towards the page limit).

Questions & Rating Criteria

Write a narrative response to sections A – E. Answer each section completely according to the questions. Do not exceed a total of 9 pages for sections A – E combined (Section F, Attachment 2. does not count towards page limit). Applications will be rated out of 100 points for the following criteria:

A. AGENCY EXPERIENCE (30 points)

1. Tell us about your agency's history, experience, interest, and the current work you do related to each of your selected program categories, and how you plan it will lead to exits to permanent housing What is your program's current or proposed land acquisition and/or development model?
2. What features do you propose are needed for the acquisition, design and/or development of a safe, secure, and sanitary non-congregate setting?
3. What is the anticipated total square footage/acreage, number of individual non-congregate
   dwellings and anticipant number of people housed?
4. Describe how your agency will ensure necessary COVID-19 safety protocols are in place during the acquisition, design and/or development of your selected program categories.
5. Describe how your agency will ensure a customer-centered approach to the acquisition, design and/or development of this RFP?
6. How many homeless clients has your program officially served?

Please provide how your agency measures positive outcomes and effectiveness among homeless (or unhoused?) individuals in its current programs; this could include housing numbers, income increases, or rates of recidivism. Please help us understand your organization's efforts in supporting and empowering individuals to transition out of homelessness. In your answer, please address the following inquiries:

• What is the average time spent with your organization's current and previous clients?
• How many individuals that have exited your current program(s) are working 30+ hours a week?
• How many individuals that have exited your program have been reunited (or simply united) with healthy support systems (family, friends, other loved ones)?
• How has your organization worked to limit returns to homelessness within a year of exiting your current programs?
• How well does your current case management produce transformational changes where individuals are able to live independently?

Rating Criteria - A strong application meets all the criteria below.

• Applicant demonstrates experience and understanding of the core components of their selected program area(s) including an understanding and connection to the unique needs of people experiencing
  unsheltered homelessness in Hattiesburg.
• Applicant has a logical, thorough plan to erect and/or support non-congregate shelter which
  accommodate people with various needs and abilities.
• Applicant proposes to build LEED certified dwellings.
• Applicant provides detail about land size, number of dwellings, and number of people housed.
• Experience reflects history with acquiring and/or building structures that are focused on helping individuals gain safety, improve health, and/or address barriers to securing housing.
• Applicant plans to acquire and/or develop dwellings with necessary operations and service delivery to in mind which meet the Mississippi Department of Health COVID-19 Standards.

B. STAFFING (20 points)

1. Describe the staff who will have a significant role in designing, delivering, and evaluating each program category of interest. What will they be responsible for doing? Describe how your staffing model provides accessible and culturally relevant physical and design for its residents.
2. How will you build the leadership capacity of BIPOC and or other historically marginalized individuals (LGBTQ, people living with disabilities, women, etc.) within your organization?

Rating Criteria - A strong application meets all the criteria below.

• Staff positions and qualifications are designed to meet the needs of the program categories of interest.
• Applicant has a plan to build leadership capacity of their BIPOC and or other historically marginalized staff.

C. RACIAL EQUITY (10 points)

1. Describe how your agency supports and empowers low-income Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities who have historically experienced systemic oppression.
2. Describe how your agency supports and empowers the LGBTQ community, people living with disabilities, women, immigrants/refugees, and people with limited English proficiency who have historically experienced systemic oppression.

Rating Criteria - A strong application meets all the criteria below.

• Applicant has a strong history and experience working with and supporting low income BIPOC communities and individuals impacted by institutional racism. Applicant understands the historical and systemic nature of racism and other forms of systemic oppression and proposes ways to undo these processes within their proposed program categories.

D. PARTNERSHIPS (15 points)

1. Describe if and how you will partner with people experiencing homelessness, other community members, and/or other agencies to execute the proposed program categories. What role do they play in planning, implementation, and evaluation of your work?

Rating Criteria - A strong application meets all the criteria below.

• Applicant clearly describes who and how they will partner with people experiencing homelessness, other community members and agencies in planning, implementation, and evaluation.

E. DATA AND FISCAL MANAGEMENT (15 points)

1. Describe your agency's experience completing real estate transactions and/or obtaining build permits and following regulations.
2. Describe how your agency manages finances, including any financial systems you use. Are you financially able to provide services and submit invoices for reimbursement in a timely manner?
3. Will your organization be able to provide copies of accurate project records, Purchase and Sales Agreements, Deeds of Trust, and/or permits pertaining to each program category your proposing?

Rating Criteria - A strong application meets all the criteria below.

• Applicant has previous experience in real estate and/or obtaining permits and other development requirements.
• Applicant adequately describes its revenue, financial health, and financial management system.
• Applicant can execute its proposed proposal and submit invoices for reimbursement, without funds upfront.
• Applicant has a fiscal management system which maintains checks and balances and follows Generally Accepted Accounting Principles to safeguard all funds that may be awarded under the terms of this funding opportunity. If applicant lacks fiscal management capabilities, applicant identifies its fiscal sponsor.
• Applicant can provide all real estate and development documents needed to comply with funder requirements.

F. BUDGET (10 POINTS)

Complete the Proposed Program and Personnel Budget (Attachments 2, tabs 1 & 2) for each program area you are applying for. Do not provide your total group or organization's budget. Costs should reflect the proposed activities. Budgets will not count toward the 9‐page limit.

Deadline & Completed Application Requirements

Application Submittal

1. A completed and signed Application Cover Sheet (Attachment 1).
2. The application must include:
   1. A completed narrative response to sections A. – E. (Section F does not count towards the 9-page limit).
   2. If you are proposing a partnership or subcontract with another agency, attach a signed letter of commitment from that agency's Director or other authorized representative.
   3. List of Board of Directors names and last three meeting minutes.

Applications may be mailed or hand delivered to City of Hattiesburg City Clerk, 200 Forrest Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. Applications are due by Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 10:00AM CST.

The City of Hattiesburg reserves the right to deny any applications submitted after the stated deadline.

Checklist

2024 City of Hattiesburg Non-Congregate Shelter RFP

Property Acquisition/Rehabilitation

This checklist is to help you ensure your application is complete prior to submission, and to verify City of Hattiesburg's expectations. Please do not submit this form with your application.

HAVE YOU…

☐ Completed and signed the 1-page Application Cover Sheet? (Attachment 1)*

• If your application names specific partner agencies, representatives from these agencies must also sign the application cover sheet.

☐ Completed each section of the Narrative response?

• Must not exceed 9 pages (8 ½ x 11), single spaced, size 11 font, with 1-inch margins.
• Page count does not include the required forms and supporting documents requested in this funding opportunity.
• A completed narrative response addresses the following:

☐ AGENCY EXPERIENCE (30 points)

☐ STAFFING (20 points)

☐ RACIAL EQUITY (10 points)

☐ PARTNERSHIPS (15 points)

☐ DATA & FISCAL MANAGEMENT (15 points)

☐ BUDGET (10 points) Attached the following supporting documents?*

☐ Roster of current Board of Directors

☐ Minutes from your agency's last three Board of Directors meetings

☐ If you are proposing a significant collaboration with another agency, have you attached a signed letter of intent from that agency's Director or other authorized representative? *

*These documents do not count against the 9-page limit for the proposal narrative section.

All applications are due to the City of Hattiesburg, City Clerk, 200 Forrest Street, 2ND Floor, Hattiesburg, MS, 39401, Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 10:00AM CST.

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1 – Application Cover Sheet

Attachment 2 – Proposed Program Budget &

Proposed Personnel Detail Budget

APPLICATION COVER SHEET

Application Program Categories (check all that apply):

☐ Land Acquisition & Rehabilitation

☐ Land Acquisition Only

☐ Rehabilitation Only

Current Households Served (check all that apply):

☐ Single Adults ☐ Couples ☐ Both

Proposed Location(s) within the City limits of Hattiesburg

Applicant Agency:

Agency Executive Director:

Agency Primary Contact:

Name: Title:

Address:

Email: Phone:

Organization Type:

☐ Non-Profit ☐ For Profit ☐ Public Agency ☐ Other (Specify):

Federal Tax ID or EIN:

DUNS#

MS Business License#:

Partner Agency (if applicable):

Contact Name: Title:

Address:

Email:

Phone:

Description of partner agency proposed activities:

Signature of partner agency representative: Date:

Authorized physical signature of applicant/lead agency

To the best of my knowledge and believe, all information in this application is true and correct. The document has been duly authorized by the governing body of the applicant who will comply with all contractual obligations if the applicant is awarded funding.

Name and Title of Authorized Representative: