A. ------READ ME FIRST ----- CDBG RFP for ALL APPLICANTS 2024-20252
City of Northampton - Annual Action Plan
CDBG Program Year 2024-2025
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
for CDBG FUNDING
Application Release Date: Thursday, November 30, 2023
Deadline for All Applications: Wednesday January 17, 2024 – 10 AM
Contents
City of Northampton - Annual Action Plan ............................................................................................................2
CDBG Program Year 2024-2025 ...........................................................................................................................2
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................3
Aligning Projects with Priority Needs Identified with the Consolidated Plan ...................................................4
Application Process ............................................................................................................................................5
Step by Step Application Process .......................................................................................................................5
Who May Apply .................................................................................................................................................6
Housing Navigator – Additional Criteria ...........................................................................................................6
I. General Description ....................................................................................................................................6
II. UEI Number ...............................................................................................................................................7
Evaluation Criteria ..............................................................................................................................................9
Public Hearing ....................................................................................................................................................9
Technical Assistance Meeting ............................................................................................................................9
For Further Information, Questions, or to RSVP to one of the Events Please Contact: ...................................10
All Links for Applications in One Place ..........................................................................................................10
Schedule for Review and Development of Annual Action Plan ......................................................................11
3
Introduction
The City of Northampton is in the process of developing its Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) Annual Action Plan for the 2024 federal fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2024 to June 30,
2025. In accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD), the plan will incorporate the statutory requirements for CDBG funding.
These materials are intended as a guide and not fully inclusive of the CDBG program, City or HUD
requirements. They are not intended to set policy, regulatory or statutory requirements.
All proposals must benefit Northampton residents and at least 51 % of the beneficiaries for each
program must be low- and moderate-income persons or households.
The City is requesting proposals for: public services, affordable housing, economic development, and
public infrastructure/facilities. Applicants may apply jointly with another agency, but both agencies will
need to fill out an application and there will be additional requirements. Additionally, the City is
requesting specific proposals for the funding of a Housing Navigator, i.e. someone doing housing
search for people who are homeless, housing insecure, or otherwise trying to navigate the housing
search process. See page 6 for more details on the City’s request to fund a Housing Navigator.
HUD National Objectives
CDBG program requires that each activity funded must meet one of three national objectives and
an eligible activity under 24 CFR 570 . The three national objectives are:
1. Provide a benefit to low- and moderate- income (LMI) persons
2. Aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight
3. Urgent Need: Meet a need having a particular urgency
An activity that does not meet a national objective is not compliant with CDBG and will not be
authorized by the City for CDBG funding. Furthermore, the Primary National Objective is that
70% of all activities must service low- and moderate-income persons. Low- and moderate
income persons have household incomes at or below 80% of the Area Median Income limit or are
presumably low-income due to serious disabilities or experiencing homelessness. The presumption
of low-income status is a statutory regulation under HUD.
Ineligible Activities
● Activities that do not benefit low- and moderate-income persons, nor address slum and blight
● Improvements to buildings or portions thereof used for the general conduct of government,
except for removal of architectural barriers to improve accessibility or historic preservation
● General government expenses, including operation and maintenance
● Income payments to individuals
4
● Political activities
Aligning Projects with Priority Needs Identified with the Consolidated Plan
Each applicant must identify the Goals and associated Priority Needs created in Northampton’s
Consolidated Plan (ConPlan) that the project addresses. These goals are summarized below:
Public Services
● Activities that benefit low- and moderate-income (LMI) residents with household incomes at
or below 80% of the Area Median Income limit as defined by HUD.
● Activities include, but are not limited to:
○ Increasing access to food, nutrition, and other basic needs.
○ Emergency food distribution and community kitchens
○ Support services for people experiencing homelessness
○ Youth services and development
○ Literacy and language attainment
○ Economic self-sufficiency
○ Housing Search / Navigation and getting people “Housing Ready”
○ Housing stabilization supports for individuals and families (e.g., financial coaching
and literacy, mental and physical health services)
Some population groups are primarily presumed to be LMI by HUD and do not require income
verification including: abused children, battered spouses, severely disabled adults, homeless
persons, illiterate adults, persons with AIDS, migrant farm workers, and the elderly.
If a public service program is applying for CDBG for the first time and has been receiving other
sources of funding from the City of Northampton, the program must provide either a new
service or a quantifiable increase in the level of an existing service to receive the new CDBG
funding. Basically, public services cannot use CDBG funds to replace existing programs already
being funded by City funds or City-Administered state funds per federal law.
The City of Northampton is expected to award a total of about $90,000 in CDBG funding for public
services for the 2024 Program Year. The City has set a minimum funding threshold of $15,000. For
public service applicants, asking for a higher amount does not lessen the chance of being funded. City
staff and the advisory committee will review proposals on the merits of the program, not how much is
being requested. However, final award amounts and budgets may still need to be readjusted once the
City’s actual grant amount is announced by HUD in May 2024.
Preserve Affordable Housing, Tenancy Help, & Rehab
Activities in this category include the creation and rehabilitation of affordable housing – for
5
renters and homeowners. Specific needs addressed are homelessness prevention, support for
emergency shelters, and housing for at-risk & special needs populations. The review committee
will look favorably on housing creation and rehabilitation activities that will further the City’s
climate change and sustainability goals. Examples include passive solar arrays, energy efficient
appliances, and removing fossil fuels consumption from the homes.
Improve Public Facilities & Infrastructure
Improvements to public facilities and infrastructure is an application for internal City projects
only. Applicants should carefully consider the project timeline when applying for CDBG
funds. The City will require that projects funded with FY 2024 CDBG funding to have a start
date no later than August 1, 2024. Failure to meet this deadline may result in loss of funds.
Project budget and scope of work should be fully developed at the time of application.
Economic Development
Includes community development and the creation or retention of jobs. Examples of activities include
technical assistance and counseling for income eligible residents to create business startups.
Removal of Slums & Blight
The removal of slums and blight helps alleviate potentially hazardous and dangerous properties.
These can detract from the character of the neighborhood or attract other unwanted outcomes such as
refuse dumping and break-ins.
Application Process The City will be using an in-house built Google Forms application for this program year. You can access the Google Form for all applicants here. A copy of the application questions in a Word
document is available on the City’s Laserfiche website here. It is advisable to answer and save the
questions in the Word document ahead of time and then paste your answers into the Google Form when you are ready to apply. A FILLED OUT WORD DOCUMENT IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE APPLICATION. The Google Form will allow you to upload supporting documentation (very last question) such as a copy of your most recent audit.
Staff recommends to apply for funding with enough time to ask questions if you get stuck. CDBG staff can help if applicants run into any problems. However, CDBG staff will not be able to help with issues on the last day that applications are open – Wednesday January 17th. No late applications will
be accepted and are due at 10 AM on January 17th.
Step by Step Application Process
1. All Documents available on LaserFiche public folder
2. Download the appropriate application (Word or PDF)
a. All Applicants: General Application
b. Housing Navigator Applicants: General Application + Housing Navigator Application
3. Download Budget Excel Sheet
6
4. Fill out the Application(s) and Budget in the documents with enough buffer time for any
issues that may arise
5. Gather appropriate attachments
6. Copy the answers from your saved document into the Google Form
a. All Applicants Here
b. Housing Navigator Applicants Here
7. Submit the Google Form
a. Word or PDF copies of the application will not be accepted
8. Attachments will be uploaded at the end of the Google Form, to include:
a. Project Budget – Excel sheet
b. Agency most recent audit
c. IRS 501(c) 3 Letter (Exemption Determination)
d. Personnel Handbook
Who May Apply Non-profit agencies who operate in Northampton and departments of the City of Northampton are eligible applicants. A for-profit entity cannot be a subrecipient unless it is a qualified microenterprise as stated in accordance with 24 CFR570.201(o). A subrecipient is defined at 24 CFR 570.500(c) as a
public or private nonprofit agency, authority, organization, or a for-profit entity authorized under
570.201(o). If the for-profit is not a qualified microenterprise, it cannot be considered as a subrecipient.
Housing Navigator – Additional Criteria The City would like to fund a Housing Navigator, someone helping people get “housing ready”, search for housing, and work on housing stability for residents of Northampton. The review process by the City for this will have additional requirements, such as an additional application and review
process.
Agencies applying will have to fill out both:
• CDBG Application on Google Forms (same as everyone else)
• Additional Google Form for the Housing Navigator
CDBG staff will likely interview candidates after the applications have been submitted. The following information will be required during the online application process:
I. General Description
a. Project Scope
Provide a detailed scope of project and how the funds will be spent and the community
needs addressed by the proposed activity. Examples include:
7
• Poor: Funds will be used give public services to clients.
• Good: Funds will be used to give financial literacy and budgeting skills to 12
LMI clients from Northampton through one-on-one counseling online or at the
Northampton office.
• Poor: House will be made accessible.
• Good: One concrete ADA ramp will be installed to the front entrance of the
house at ‘address’ to make it ADA accessible for two people with disabilities.
b. Consolidated Plan Goals and Priority Needs
Identify the goals and priority needs that best match the proposed project.
c. Geographic Distribution of Activities
Will the proposed project benefit Northampton residents citywide? If not, indicate the
Census Tract(s) that will be served by the proposed project. Your census tract can be
identified on the City Maps & Data page.
d. Budget Description
Applicants must include both CDBG funds and all other funding sources. For
agencies expecting additional sources of funds, space is provided to identify the
source type and whether these funds are committed or pending. The budget should
only include expenses related to the project for which you are seeking funds.
Federal wage rates and compliance with Section 3 may apply to construction projects.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to speak with Planning & Sustainability staff
before submitting an application for any physical improvements. Award amounts for
public services have been set by the City at a minimum award of $15,000. This should
be considered before developing your budget.
e. Measuring Accomplishments
Applicants should identify and describe the most significant outcome(s) the proposed
project is expected to accomplish in fiscal year 2024. Be very specific e.g. “This
program will serve 1,800 meals….” Or “This development will create 22 homes for LMI
families”.
II. UEI Number
The federal government requires subrecipients receiving federal funds to obtain a Unique
Entity Identifier (UEI) number. All CDBG applicants will be required to provide their UEI in
their application. The City cannot award federal funds to organizations without the UEI.
Check the status and/or renew your UEI here: https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.
8
III. Other Required Attachments
a. Agency’s most recent financial audit
b. Memorandum of Agreement (for collaborating agencies if applicable)
c. For New Applicants Only: 501(c)(3) Letter of Tax Determination Status from the IRS
Do Not Submit: Resumes, Brochures, newspaper articles, marketing materials, or any paper based
application materials
IV. Submission Deadline
The City of Northampton, will accept proposals through Google Forms from qualified firms until
10:00 AM on Wednesday, January 17, 2024:
V. Proposal Selection and Contract Award Process
All proposals will be reviewed and evaluated using the following process:
• The Public Services Advisory Committee (PSAC) will review all CDBG Public Service
proposals based on the evaluation criteria with technical assistance from the City of
Northampton’s Planning & Sustainability staff. The Public Services Advisory Committee
may interview applicants. The committee will then recommend to the Mayor the selected
organizations and respective funding allocations. The PSAC is comprised of a City
Councilor(s), a member of the Northampton Housing Partnership, a member of the
Division of Community Care, and other individuals knowledgeable about community
needs.
• A public hearing will be held for the Draft Action Plan with proposed projects and
budgets. Organizations requesting funding may discuss their projects informally, but
attendance is not required. The public is encouraged to attend and give feedback.
• A draft list of recommended proposals will be available for public comments for a period of
30 days online at the Office of Planning & Sustainability. Notice of the Draft Plan will also
be published in the Daily Hampshire Gazette.
• Community collaborations are encouraged and leveraging of other funds are another
important part of the review criteria. Criteria also include number of people served and
whether the program addresses a gap in the service delivery system.
• Proposed CDBG capital improvement projects such as infrastructure and public
facilities will be reviewed and evaluated by the Office of Planning & Sustainability.
• During the 30-day public comment period, the City will accept and evaluate written
public comments regarding the initial selection of projects.
• Selected applicants will be notified in writing following the Mayor’s approval of the
funding amounts. Applicants should not assume that their proposal has been accepted for
9
funding until they have received written notification from the Office of Planning &
Sustainability.
• Each grant awarded is subject to the execution of an agreement between the City and the
applicant. The grant amount and the project description are subject to modification by the
City. Northampton CDBG is a reimbursement grant program where agencies receive
reimbursement funding from the City after they submit invoices of expenditures.
• No expenditure of funds can be incurred until an agreement has been fully executed and
the City has issued an approved contract or agreement. The City will not be able to issue
agreements until after HUD has approved the Annual Action Plan, usually on or about July
1st.
Evaluation Criteria
Planning & Sustainability staff and the Public Services Advisory Committee will use the
following criteria to evaluate proposals and make recommendations to the Mayor:
1) Proposed project is meets at least one of HUD’s National Objectives
2) Proposed project is eligible for funding according to HUD’s regulations
3) Proposed activity addresses at least one goal from the City’s Consolidated Plan
4) Includes: Budget Description and Scope of Work
Public Hearing
First-time applicants are encouraged to attend the public hearing session on Thursday November 30,
2023 at 6 PM. This is an opportunity to ask questions and get answers. Your questions will help other
applicants who will likely have similar questions and concerns. Please RSVP by contacting the
Community Development Planner or Grants Administrator in the Office of Planning & Sustainability.
Technical Assistance Meeting
There will be an optional technical assistance meeting over Zoom to review the application
process on Thursday December 14 at 10 AM and Monday January 8, 2024 at 10 AM.
Applicants are encouraged to go over the application Word document ahead of time and come
with any questions.
10
For Further Information, Questions, or to RSVP to one of the Events Please
Contact:
Keith Benoit, Community Development Planner
(413) 587-1288, kbenoit@northamptonma.gov
or
Court Clines, Grants Administrator
(413) 587-1265, ccline@northamptonma.gov
All Links for Applications in One Place
• CDBG Application (all applicants):
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd4rlWHhXD8DrC8XN2cyGcdAnFFROsZf0aC
mAqmHSlypIwktA/viewform?usp=sf_link
• Microsoft Word Copy of CDBG Application (to fill out ahead of time):
https://www.northamptonma.gov/2384/Apply-for-CDBG-Funding
• Housing Navigator Application:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfry_z8OiTLJpPXo5_075Jwb1K5fa8F4uTz6Rre
0ZTXmfxgUg/viewform?usp=sf_linkhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfry_z8OiT
LJpPXo5_075Jwb1K5fa8F4uTz6Rre0ZTXmfxgUg/viewform?usp=sf_link
• Microsoft Word Copy of Housing Navigator Application (to fill out ahead of time):
https://www.northamptonma.gov/2384/Apply-for-CDBG-Funding
11
Schedule for Review and Development of Annual Action Plan
WHAT WHEN WHERE NOTES
Request for Proposals (RFP) Released
Thursday Nov. 30, 2023 at 10 AM
https://www.northamptonma.gov
/2384/Apply-for-CDBG-Funding
Availability of RFP - applications for the FY 2024
HUD Annual Action Plan
Public Hearing for Community Development Block Grant Funding
Thursday Nov. 30, 2023 at
6:00 PM
City Hall Hearing Room & Zoom conference call:
Obtain input on community development needs from the public and provide technical assistance for agencies on submissions to the RFP. 210 Main Street., 2nd Floor Technical Assistance for Applications Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 at 10:00 AM Optional technical assistance for CDBG applicants. Please
RSVP using info at the end.
Technical Assistance for Applications - Backup Session Monday, Jan. 8, 2024 at 10:00 AM Optional technical assistance for CDBG applicants. Please RSVP using info at the end. All Applications Due Wed., January 17, 2024 at 10:00 AM https://www.nort
hamptonma.gov/2384/Apply-for-CDBG-Funding
Deadline for all CDBG applications
Public Services Advisory
Committee reviews Public Services applications and makes recommendation
January – February 2024
Draft Annual Action Plan Public Hearing Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 6:00 PM City Hall Hearing Room
& Zoom conference call:
Opportunity for all applicants to present their proposals.
210 Main Street., 2nd Floor
Draft Annual Action Plan Released Public comment period Begins (30 days)
Thursday, March 14, 2024 https://www.northamptonma.gov/2386/CDBG-Planning-
Performance-Evaluation
Draft Annual Action Plan will be released online. Public may submit written comments to be included in the final plan.
Public comment period ends Tuesday April 16, 2024 at 10:00 AM End of the public comment period.
Submit Action Plan to HUD May 14th, 2024 Planning & Sustainability will
submit Action Plan to HUD. Award letters sent electronically May – June 2024 Award letters will be sent to applicants accepted for funding.
Funding authorized by HUD June – July 2024 HUD will review final plan and
comments.
Contracts Signed July 2024 Planning & Sustainability will send out contracts for signature
through DocuSign.