HUD's Fiscal Year Notice of Funding Availabilty

The Federal Register of today, Monday, December 29, 2008, includes the Notice of HUD's Fiscal Year 2009 Notice of Funding Availabililty (NOFA); Policy Requirements and General Section to HUD's FY2009 NOFAs for Discretionary Programs. Please note that everything is subject to Congressional appropriations. Included in the announcement are the following:

NOFAs will be published in 2009 as they are approved for publication and NOT in a combined SuperNOFA (list of competitive programs is included at the end of the FR announcement).

After January 11, 2009, or when Grants.gov is ready in January to assume the functions itself, Grants.gov will be terminating service with the current Grants.gov credential provider ORC. Therefore, everyone must either open a new account with Grants.gov or update their existing account.

The Continuum of Care will once again NOT be using Grants.gov.

Adobe Reader 8.1.3 or updating Reader on Adobe Professional to 8.1.3 is required for Grants.gov compatibility. Versions 8.1.2 and 9.0 will NOT provide the necessary compatibility. Once Version 9.1 is released, it will have addressed the problems inherent in 8.1.2 and 9.0.

Standardized points will be given for Logic Models, which will receive increased importance in funding decisions. Additional training will be given and the scoring is outlined at the end of the announcement. Heavy emphasis will be placed on comparisons between projected and actual numbers for outputs and outcomes. Self-evaluation of each program's management and performance will be required.
Funding will be determined on how well quality applications meet the following components of the HUD strategic framework:

• a. Increase Homeownership Opportunities
• b. Promote Decent Affordable Housing
• c. Strengthen Communities
• d. Ensure Equal Opportunity in Housing
• e. Embrace High Standards of Ethics, Management, and Accountability
• f. Promote Participation of Faith-Based and Other Community Organizations
  

Addressing one or more of the following HUD policy priorities will garner points:

• a. Improving the Knowledge of Homeowners, Homebuyers, and Renters to be Aware of Discriminatory Practices...Rights...Financial Literacy
• b. Encouraging Accessible Design Features
• c. Providing Full and Equal Access to Grassroots Faith-Based and Other Community Orgs. in HUD Program Implementation
• d. Participation of Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) in HUD Programs
• e. Ending Chronic Homelessness
• f. Promoting Energy Star and Green Development
• g. Promoting Assistance to Veterans

They don't however offer an insurance quote to the homeless. For that, click on the link or network with your peers to find available options for your clients.