The Grand Rapids/Wyoming/Kent County Continuum of Care (CoC) seeks qualified agencies to apply that propose usage of MSHDA ESG for direct financial assistance for rapid re-housing and for essential services and shelter operations for emergency shelter. Qualified agencies may apply for up to $128,834 for emergency shelter activities and for up to $128,834 for rapid-rehousing activities. Costs are capped at 4% for administration and 10% for HMIS for any proposed project.

Please see the RFQ for more information.

Interested agencies shall send a letter of qualifications no later than 4pm on Friday, July 23, 2021 to Courtney Myers-Keaton at cmyers-keaton@hwmuw.org addressing the items outlined below. Questions regarding the application should be addressed to Courtney Myers-Keaton at cmyers-keaton@hwmuw.org no later than 4pm on Tuesday, July 20.

1. Describe the entire scope of the proposed project. Include target population(s), the plan for addressing identified needs/issues of the identified target population, projected outcomes, and how the project type, scale and location of housing and support services fit the needs of the identified target population. If applying for shelter funds, please describe the shelter model, sustainability of the model, and how the proposed project will address long-term shelter needs within the community.
2. Describe agency’s experience implementing the proposed project and/or similar projects.
3. 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. Indicate whether there were any findings in the agency’s most recent financial audit. Indicate whether the agency has any HUD monitoring findings in any of the agency’s projects within the past 3 years. Any findings should be resolved or explained.
4. 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.
5. Describe the implementation plan for spending, including expenditure schedule.
6. 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.
7. Describe case management model. Please include how the agency uses progressive engagement and a strengths-based approach in providing services.
8. Describe how the approach to services aligns with best practices and community standards.
9. 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.
10. Provide project budget with narrative, including total number of households and persons in households projected to be served. Please also include the cost per household for direct assistance, and a description of why the cost is reasonable and cost-effective. Include the total dollar amount requested for the line items included in the RFQ.
11. Describe how the agency has engaged with the CoC and if the agency is a current CoC member.
12. Describe how the proposed project aligns with priorities
13. Describe how the agency currently utilizes HMIS and how data informs decision-making and planning for continuous quality improvement.
14. Indicate how the proposed project will participate with Coordinated Entry, the process for accepting referrals, and how the agency currently utilizes Coordinated Entry.
15. Describe how the agency has collaborated and/or coordinated with other partners in the community to meet the needs identified in the grant application.