Author: Gerry McCafferty

This notice is informing applicants in the Springfield-Hampden County CoC FY2018 Competition that, in addition to Bonus funds and DV competition funds available, there are also reallocation funds newly available.

The program Way Finders Rapid Rehousing had notified the CoC that it is not applying for renewal. As you may recall, the CoC issued an RFP for a provider to take over this program. No provider responded to the RFP. This program is now scheduled to end June 30, 2019, and the funds may be reallocated to a new program.

The amount of funds freed up for reallocation is $154,321. All new projects will be considered for reallocation funds – including funds submitted as bonus or DV projects.

CoC competition applications are due August 15, 2018 at 4 pm.

A third set of questions and answers has been released–see the linked document below.

RFP Q&A #3 August 10, 2018

The City of Springfield, on behalf of the Springfield-Hampden County Continuum of Care, has issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking partners to provide Core Services and Winter Response an part of an application for state funds to operate a Homeless Youth Program in Hampden County.

Use the links below to access the RFP and Addendum No. 1 to the RFP. Responses are due August 29, 2018, and the CoC will hold a bidders’ conference on August 17, 20018, 10 am at the Springfield Municipal Operations Center, 70 Tapley St., Springfield.

• 19-025 Homeless Youth Services
• 19-025 Addendum No. 1

There have been two sets of Q&As for the CoC Competition. The first was based on  written questions received and was sent to anyone with an open esnaps application. The second is being released today based on questions asked at the bidders conference on August 1, 2018.

Both sets are linked below. The sets, along with the RFP, are also posted at the top of the materials on the CoC tab on this page. The CoC will continue to take and respond to written questions. Send them to gmccafferty@springfieldcityhall.com.

RFP Q&A #1 July 26, 2018

RFP Q&A #2 August 3, 2018

 

REMINDER: The FY2018 CoC Competition bidders’ conference is scheduled for tomorrow, August 1, 2018, 10 am at the Office of Housing, 1600 E. Columbus Ave., Springfield.

The bidders’ conference is optional, but is strongly recommended for applicants for new projects. Renewal applicants are also welcome, if they wish to attend.

There has been very limited interest in the Bonus Project. If you have a new idea or have the capacity to expand an existing program, please consider submitting an application.

 

There’s been some interesting new work on race equity in homelessness.

In March 2018, Supporting Partnerships for Anti-Racist Communities (SPARC), a project of the Center for Social Innovation, released the results of a research study in six communities. The study found that blacks and Native Americans were overrepresented in the homeless population as compared to the general population, and that this is not attributable only to the overrepresentation of these groups among people living in deep poverty (at or below 50% of the Federal poverty level). The level of homelessness among these populations exceeded the proportions of the populations living in deep poverty.

Take a look at the study here.

The Springfield-Hampden County CoC has volunteered to be part of a Built for Zero pilot project to work with other communities and a guide to review our own data and strategize about how to respond to what the data is showing us. The pilot will be for a few months, and will consist of regular phone calls and some data analysis. The first call is August 9, 2-3 pm.

If you have the interest and time to participate in this project, please email me at gmccafferty@springfieldcityhall.com. Keep in mind that I am looking for one or two committed people who have time and energy to devote to this.

 

The CoC has released its Request for Proposals for renewal CoC projects and for proposed new projects–including a portion of the competition that is only for programs that will serve survivors of domestic violence. The RFP is available here:

Springfield-Hampden CoC Competition RFP FY18

Applications are due by August 15, 2018, 4 pm.

HUD has released the FY18 NOFA. The CoC expects to release a Request for Proposals for renewal and new projects on July 6, 2018, with responses due August 17.

This year’s competition includes a new DV Bonus as well as a regular Bonus, so start thinking about new projects. Here are details:

DV Bonus

HUD has made $5 million available for new projects which will provide housing and services to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Although firm numbers are not yet out, the CoC expects that it will be able to apply for approximately $360,000 in this category, which will be for a one-year grant. These projects may be operated by a DV provider or a non-DV provider expanding services to serve this population. The project can be an expansion of an existing project. The CoC can submit one application for each of the three components:

• Rapid Rehousing
• Joint Transitional Housing-Rapid Rehousing
• Coordinated Entry for DV survivors

Bonus

Again, grant amounts are not finalized, but the CoC expects to be able to apply for $217,000  for a new bonus project. This amount could be increased if the CoC reallocates from any existing projects. Different from past years, the Bonus project may be any of the following components:

• Permanent Supportive Housing
• Rapid Rehousing
• Joint Transitional Housing-Rapid Rehousing
• Coordinated Entry
• HMIS (can only be applied for by the HMIS lead)

Stay tuned to this space…when the RFP is released it will be posted here.

Stay tuned for a rescheduled date!

The CoC Board of Directors will meet June 8, 2018, 9-11 am, at the office of the Mental Health Association, 995 Worthington St., Springfield. This is an open meeting – anyone may attend.

Agenda:

• Review of Minutes of the Feb. 2, 2018 Board Meeting
• Report of Western Mass Network to End Homelessness – Pam Schwartz
  • Resource Fair – June 14, 9-12, HCC
  • State budget
• CoC Reports
  • 2018 Point-in-Time Count Report  2018 Point-in-Time Count
  • Hurricane-displaced households – Kathryn Buckley Brawner and Lauren Voyer
  • System Performance Measures
  • Built for Zero
• Prioritization and Planning for Upcoming Funding
  • Funding priorities for FY18 grant application
  • Use of ‘surplus’ funds from UFA grant for FY18
• Other news
  • Coordinated Entry
  • Youth grant application and participation in youth coordinated entry learning session