Title
(CONTINUED FROM JUNE 28, 2017) - Request for Proposals to Create Supportive Housing Utilizing U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Project-Based Housing Choice Vouchers and Project-Based Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Vouchers
Description
Request authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to create supportive housing utilizing up to 50 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) project-based Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and up to 100 project-based Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers with supportive services. Further request authorization to begin negotiations with the recommended proposer(s).
Report
Summary
The Housing Department is seeking to increase opportunities for supportive housing to serve homeless veterans and their families utilizing project-based VASH vouchers and HCV's. Under the VASH and HCV programs, the Housing Department is authorized to assign some of its available tenant-based HCV and VASH vouchers to specific units in privately-owned housing properties. Project-based vouchers provide financial stability and encourage additional affordable housing development. To date, the Housing Department has successfully allocated 267 HCV and 43 VASH project-based vouchers.
This RFP will accept proposals that create project-based supportive housing for homeless veterans and their families. Permanent supportive housing is a combination of housing and services intended as a cost-effective way to help people live more stable, productive lives. Supportive housing is widely believed to work well for those who face the most complex challenges - individuals and families confronted with homelessness and who also have very low incomes. The HUD VASH program combines rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA provides these services for participating veterans at VA medical centers and community-based outreach clinics. Due to escalating prices in the current rental housing market, the Housing Department proposes to issue an RFP for project-based vouchers to incentivize affordable housing developers to offer housing options for this population.
The RFP will seek proposals from qualified organizations to utilize federal rental subsidy to house eligible veterans and their families. Up to 50 HCV and up to 100 VASH project-based vouchers will be offered for new construction housing developments. The RFP is anticipated to be issued in fall 2017, in coordination with the Housing Department’s Annual HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Call for Interest. Formal recommendation for award(s) will be presented to the Sustainability, Housing, Efficiency and Neighborhoods Subcommittee and the City Council in late fall 2017. The evaluation panel will consist of a minimum of four members, to include representatives from relevant City departments, the Phoenix VA and a community stakeholder.
Financial Impact
There is no impact to the General Fund. The VASH and Section 8 HCV programs are federally funded.
Concurrence/Previous Action
This item was heard at the Sustainability, Housing, Efficiency and Neighborhoods Subcommittee meeting on June 20, 2017 and approval was recommended by a vote of 3-0.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Deanna Jonovich and the Housing Department.