The Grand Rapids/Wyoming/Kent County Continuum of Care (CoC), also known as the Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness, seeks qualified agencies to apply for proposed usage of MSHDA ESG 2022-2023 for street outreach services. Qualified agencies may apply for funds for street outreach activities. The CoC seeks applicants to serve as an Outreach Lead Agency.

Please see the RFQ for additional information

The Lead Agency will be responsible for ensuring the following goals are met:

• Establish shared community standards and procedures for conducting street outreach including outreach coverage and coordination.
• Ensure coverage and efficiencies in outreach to meet the following benchmark: 90% or more of unsheltered people are included on the community by-name list.

Funded grant activities shall not exceed $110,000. Costs are capped at 3.5% for administration and 10% for HMIS for any proposed project. Grant funds can be used to cover costs from October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: Eligible applicants are current CoC members who are a public or private non- profit agency with at least one year of experience in providing services specifically targeted to persons experiencing homelessness. Local public housing agencies are not eligible.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Interested agencies shall send a letter of qualifications no later than 1pm on Friday, August 26 to Courtney Myers-Keaton at cmyers-keaton@hwmuw.org and copy Brianne Robach brobach@hwmuw.org addressing the following:

1. Describe the agency’s financial management practices/processes, including capacity to manage funds and maintain financial systems and internal controls in a manner sufficient to operate the program(s) effectively and meet all federal and local requirements.
2. Indicate whether there were any findings in the agency’s most recent financial audit. If yes, please explain and indicate whether findings were resolved.
3. Indicate whether the agency has any HUD or ESG monitoring findings in any of the agency’s projects within the past 3 years. If yes, please explain and indicate whether findings were resolved.
4. Describe how the agency has engaged with the CoC and whether the agency is a current CoC member.
5. Does the applicant currently use HMIS to collect data and participate in the QSOBAA (community wide sharing agreement) to allow sharing within HMIS? If not, is the agency willing to use HMIS and join the QSOBAA to collect and share relevant data?
6. Describe the experience of the applicant and any sub-applicants with utilizing a Housing First approach (does not require program participants to complete any prerequisites in order to receive services (i.e., religious activities, sobriety treatment, etc.))
7. Describe how your organization addresses ending homelessness at the systems level in partnership with other agencies
8. Describe the entire scope of the proposed project and how the agency intends to fulfill the role of a lead agency function.
9. Describe the agency’s experience with street outreach in the community.
10. Describe the agency’s plan and ability to build collaboration among partners and facilitate community-wide conversations regarding youth homelessness.
11. Describe the agency’s experience in leading and building collaborative efforts.
12. Describe the agency’s staffing plan for this project, including key staff positions and qualifications of individuals who will carry out the project(s). Please include a description of which positions are currently staffed and outline a hiring plan for any positions that will need to be filled to implement the project.
13. Describe the implementation plan for spending, including expenditure schedule.
14. Identify other current agency funding (amounts and sources) for similar activities and how funding will be braided and/or coordinated with MSHDA ESG funds. Describe how this funding will be leveraged with other agency funds to provide continuity of services after the grant period ends.
15. Describe case management model. Please include how the agency uses progressive engagement and a strengths-based approach in providing services.
16. Describe how the approach to services aligns with best practices and community standards.
17. Describe training staff have undergone or will undergo as well as any agency policies or procedures related to diversity, equity, and inclusion as it pertains to service provision.
18. Provide project budget with narrative.