AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND

AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND

2019 Shelter Funding Application Guidelines

for projects that increase the capacity of the shelter system for people who are homeless

Minimum of $300,000 available

July 5, 2019 Applications due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Department of Community and Economic Development - Housing Programs P.O. Box 1995 | Vancouver, WA 98668-1995 | 360-487-7952 | TTY: 360-487-8602

cityofvancouver.us

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................ 3 A. AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND............................................................................................................ 3 B. 2019 SHELTER FUNDING OPPORTUNITY .......................................................................................... 3 C. CLARK COUNTY HOMELESS ACTION PLAN ..................................................................................... 4

2. APPLICATION OVERVIEW ......................................................................................................................... 4 A. FUNDS AVAILABLE .................................................................................................................................. 4 B. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS ............................................................................................................................. 4 C. APPLICATION........................................................................................................................................... 4 D. PROCESS AND TIMELINE ....................................................................................................................... 4 E. FAIR HOUSING AND ANTIDISCRIMINATION..................................................................................... 5 F. GUIDING PRINCIPLES ............................................................................................................................. 5

3. PROJECT ELIGIBILITY ................................................................................................................................... 5 A. PROJECT TYPES ....................................................................................................................................... 5 B. PROJECT LOCATIONS ............................................................................................................................ 5 C. HOUSEHOLDS SERVED .......................................................................................................................... 6

4. FUNDING USES AND TERMS..................................................................................................................... 6 A. ELIGIBLE PROJECT COSTS..................................................................................................................... 6 B. FUNDING TERMS..................................................................................................................................... 7

5. APPLICATION REVIEW CRITERIA .............................................................................................................. 7 6. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS..................................................................................................................... 7 APPENDIX A: APPLICATION QUESTIONS.................................................................................................... 8 APPENDIX B: APPLICATION SCORING GUIDE ......................................................................................... 11

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I. INTRODUCTION

A. AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND

This funding opportunity is based upon planning by the City of Vancouver to meet the growing need for overnight shelter beds for people experiencing homelessness. Available funding is allocated from the Vancouver Affordable Housing Fund.

The Affordable Housing Fund was created through a property tax levy approved by voters in 2016. From 2017 through 2023, the City of Vancouver will receive $6 million annually for a total of $42 million. The funds will be used to provide affordable housing and services to very lowincome residents of Vancouver. With this local funding, the City's main objectives are to:

? Create and preserve affordable homes for residents earning 50% of Area Median Income or lower, promoting housing opportunity and choice throughout Vancouver;

? Contribute to efforts to end homelessness by providing housing and services for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness;

? Collaborate with nonprofit and for-profit developers and agencies to promote a variety of housing choices, including units in mixed-income developments; and

? Leverage City investments with other funding sources to maximize the number of quality affordable housing units that are created or preserved each funding cycle.

See the City of Vancouver Affordable Housing Fund Administrative and Financial Plan at for more information.

B. 2019 SHELTER FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

In recent years, Vancouver has been at the center of the intensification of the housing crisis. In 2016, Vancouver experienced the highest housing cost increases of any city in the United States. As a result of housing costs and other factors, homelessness has been steadily increasing. In January 2018, 795 people were identified as homeless in Clark County. This year 958 people experiencing homelessness were identified. With the community's overnight shelter capacity remaining relatively stagnant, the unsheltered population increased from 190 individuals in 2013 to a current count of 471 (Clark County Point-in-Time Count).

To assist in meeting the needs of people experiencing homelessness in our community, the City of Vancouver will make a minimum of $300,000 in 2019 Affordable Housing Funds available for projects that provide shelter to people who are homeless. The goal of this funding is to increase the capacity of the shelter system by supporting additional overnight beds. Existing shelter providers as well as organizations that have not previously provided shelter are encouraged to apply. Affordable Housing Funds awarded through this application process may be used for:

? Staffing or other operating costs for new or existing shelters, including limited startup equipment/supply costs for new shelters;

? Capital improvements to maintain or increase the capacity of existing shelters; or

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? Acquisition, construction or rehabilitation projects that create new shelters.

C. CLARK COUNTY HOMELESS ACTION PLAN

The Council for the Homeless developed the 2019-2022 Clark County Homeless Action Plan to prioritize, guide and evaluate our community's efforts to prevent and end homelessness. The plan provides goals and strategies to increase the capacity of the homeless crisis response system and move more people into housing. Among the priorities is an increase in shelter beds to provide safe interim housing for households experiencing homelessness. For more information about the Homeless Action Plan and current homeless system in our community, visit .

2. APPLICATION OVERVIEW

A. FUNDS AVAILABLE

A minimum of $300,000 in 2019 Affordable Housing Funds will be made available for projects that provide shelter to people who are homeless. The review process will prioritize projects that increase the capacity of the shelter system (provide new/additional beds). If funding recommendations exceed $300,000, additional dollars may be awarded from 2020 Affordable Housing Funds. Awards for shelter operations may be spent over multiple years.

B. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Nonprofit agencies, for-profit firms, faith based organizations, public agencies and private property owners may apply for funds. Organizations that have not previously provided shelter are encouraged to apply.

C. APPLICATION

Applications will be accepted online through ZoomGrantsTM. A link to the application is available on the City website at . See Appendix A for a copy of the application questions and required submittal documents.

D. PROCESS AND TIMELINE

? July 3, 2019 ? Release application guidelines ? July 16, 2019 ? Pre-application open house for prospective applications from 4 to 6 p.m.

at Vancouver City Hall Aspen Room [Note: staff is willing to meet with prospective applicants at any time regarding potential projects.] ? August 21, 2019 ? Applications due by 5 p.m. PST ? September 2019 ? Review and prioritize proposed projects ? October 2019 ? Funding recommendations to City Council

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E. FAIR HOUSING AND ANTIDISCRIMINATION

The City of Vancouver's policies and procedures are developed in compliance with the Federal Fair Housing laws (Civil Rights Act of 1968, Title VIII as amended, Executive Order 11063, as amended by Executive Order 12259, implemented at 24 CFR 107). Contracts awarded under this funding source will require compliance with these laws.

F. GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The City of Vancouver will use the following principles to guide funding and implementation of Affordable Housing Fund shelter projects.

? Accountability ? Demonstrate that providers are making the best use of public funds by serving the maximum number of people with successful outcomes, and making quality services and safe environments available for people who are homeless in our community.

? Collaboration ? Work within the homeless system to coordinate services and ensure that local, state and federal resources are used effectively to end homelessness. Share best practices with each other and the community.

? Efficiency ? Consider the overall and per-client cost to provide shelter and services and achieve positive outcomes, with consideration for the target population(s) and their respective strengths and challenges.

? Quality ? Continually examine projects and programs to ensure that they are of high quality and result in positive outcomes.

3. PROJECT ELIGIBILITY

A. PROJECT TYPES

Applicants may propose projects involving new or existing shelters. Projects that increase the capacity of the shelter system by adding additional beds will receive priority through the review process. Applicants may request funding for one or more of the following:

? Staffing or other operating costs for new or existing shelters, including limited startup equipment/supply costs for new shelters;

? Capital improvements to maintain or increase the capacity of existing shelters; or ? Acquisition, construction or rehabilitation projects that create new shelters.

Note: Properties receiving Affordable Housing Funds for acquisition, construction or rehabilitation projects must continue to provide temporary overnight shelter for a period of up to 20 years.

B. PROJECT LOCATIONS

Projects must be located within the city limits of Vancouver.

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C. HOUSEHOLDS SERVED

All Vancouver Affordable Housing Fund projects must serve eligible households. Eligible households must earn no more than 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Income limits are provided annually by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and adjusted for household size. Current HUD-provided income limits are shown below.

Household Size

1

2

3

4

5

6

50% AMI Limit*

$30,800

$35,200

$39,600

$43,950

$47,500

$51,000

*Income limits provided by HUD effective 4/24/2019. Numbers represent gross annual income.

Generally, people who are homeless may be presumed to have income below 50% AMI in accordance with HUD policies. Documentation of homelessness must be maintained.

The current publicly funded shelter system operates using the following HUD definition for people who are homeless:

1. Individuals and families who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and includes a subset for an individual who resided in an emergency shelter or a place not meant for human habitation and who is living in an institution where he or she temporarily resided; or

2. Individuals and families who are fleeing, or are attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions that relate to violence against the individual or a family member.

4. FUNDING USES AND TERMS

A. ELIGIBLE PROJECT COSTS

Eligible project costs include: ? Shelter staffing and operations, including limited startup supply/equipment costs for new shelters ? Capital system improvements (i.e. HVAC, kitchen, roof) ? Building purchase ? Construction and rehabilitation hard costs, including sales tax ? Soft costs (e.g. development fees, permits, surveys, professional services)

Washington State prevailing wage rules may apply to construction and rehabilitation projects paid for with the Affordable Housing Fund.

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B. FUNDING TERMS

Funds for staffing and operations will be provided in the form of a grant.

Funds for acquisition, construction and rehabilitation projects will be provided in the form of a 0%-interest forgivable loan for a period of up to 20 years. Specific terms will be negotiated based on the project needs. Funds will be secured with a deed of trust and affordable housing covenant.

5. APPLICATION REVIEW CRITERIA

Applications will be reviewed by staff and a community committee. Scoring is based on the following factors:

? Organizational capacity ? Financial feasibility ? Readiness ? Services and collaboration ? Increase in shelter capacity ? Cost benefit and leveraging of funds ? Outcomes

A scoring guide is included at Appendix B. Scores are used as a guide for prioritization of projects by the review committee. Increase of shelter beds will have the highest priority.

6. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The City of Vancouver will collect information on project beneficiaries annually throughout the affordability period. Organizations receiving Affordable Housing Funds are encouraged to work with the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). HMIS is a countywide electronic database that collects data on people who are homeless and people receiving homeless prevention services.

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APPENDIX A: APPLICATION QUESTIONS

The application is accessible via the City of Vancouver website at cityofvancouver.us/affordablehousingfund (or use the direct link: )

ZoomGrantsTM Account and Application Summary

Application Summary Application Title/Project Name Amount Requested

Contact Information Name Telephone Email

Organization Information Organization/Entity Legal Name Address Telephone Fax Website

CEO/Executive Director Name Title Email

Application Questions

1. Choose any of the following that describe your organization or company: Non-profit 501(c)(3) For-profit organization Public organization Faith-based organization Other: __________

2. Choose one of the following options that best describes your project: New shelter ? acquisition New shelter ? construction/rehabilitation New shelter ? staff costs to operate Existing shelter ? capital improvements Existing shelter ? staff costs to operate Other (non-staffing) shelter operating costs

3. Describe your organization and number of years in operation.

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