ADIRONDACK PARK MUNICIPALITIES AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Applications will be accepted through January 30, 2015 for Adirondack Park Smart Growth Implementation Grants. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in partnership with the Adirondack Park Agency and the Department of State, is soliciting applications from municipalities and not-for-profit corporations. Grants will support key projects that build on previous smart growth planning and economic development activities by implementing a specific strategy or objective. DEC seeks capital projects and community development initiatives that link environmental protection, economic development and community livability within the special conditions of the Adirondack Park.

DEC anticipates approximately $443,000 will be made available from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) for eligible projects under this grant opportunity. Up to 25% of this funding, or $110,750, may be awarded to not-for-profit corporations as lead applicant, applying with municipal partner(s). Eligible projects must be located wholly within the Adirondack Park and must be consistent with the Smart Growth principles outlined in the Request For Applications (RFA).

Eligible project types are further identified in the Request For Applications (RFA) and include:

1) Local - projects that involve one or two municipal governments.

2) Regional - projects that involve three or more municipalities in a similar geographic region of the Adirondack Park.

3) Park-wide - projects that involve multiple municipalities and have a Park-wide scope.

Grants amounts for all project types will range up to the maximum amount of $75,000.

Apply Online at www.grantsgateway.ny.gov. Paper application submissions will not be accepted.

IMPORTANT: This is a new process and if you have not used the Grants Gateway before, it will take time to get set up in the system and to navigate the application forms. Please start your application as soon as possible. Detailed instructions for registering to use the grants gateway are found on page 2 of the RFA under the heading IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR VENDORS/ APPLICANTS/ GRANTEES.

The RFA is available in the Grants Gateway. The RFA and a Grants Gateway Tips document are also available at www.dec.ny.gov/lands/89712.html. If you have questions on eligibility requirements or the application process, please contact Dylan Walrath, Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Lands and Forests, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4250 at (518) 402-9405 or [email protected] (Subject: Smart Growth).

CATSKILL PARK MUNICIPALITIES AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Applications will be accepted through January 30, 2015 for Catskill Park Smart Growth Implementation Grants. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in partnership with the Department of State, is soliciting applications from municipalities and not-for-profit corporations. Grants will support key projects that build on previous smart growth planning and economic development activities by implementing a specific strategy or objective. DEC seeks capital projects and community development initiatives that link environmental protection, economic development and community livability within the special conditions of the Catskill Park.

DEC anticipates approximately $400,000 will be made available from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) for eligible projects under this grant opportunity. Up to 25% of this funding, or $100,000, may be awarded to not-for-profit corporations as lead applicant, applying with municipal partner(s). Eligible projects must be located wholly within the boundaries of a Catskill Park municipality (Towns and Villages located partially or wholly within the Catskill Park Blue Line) and must be consistent with the Smart Growth principles outlined in the Request For Applications (RFA). Grants amounts will range up to the maximum amount of $75,000.

Apply Online at www.grantsgateway.ny.gov. Paper application submissions will not be accepted.

IMPORTANT: This is a new process and if you have not used the Grants Gateway before, it will take time to get set up in the system and to navigate the application forms. Please start your application as soon as possible. Detailed instructions for registering to use the grants gateway are found on page 2 of the RFA under the heading IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR VENDORS/ APPLICANTS/ GRANTEES.

The RFA is available in the Grants Gateway. The RFA and a Grants Gateway Tips document are also available at www.dec.ny.gov/lands/89712.html. If you have questions on eligibility requirements or the application process, please contact Dylan Walrath, Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Lands and Forests, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4250 at (518) 402-9405 or [email protected] (Subject: Smart Growth).

The Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC) and the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) announce the availability of approximately $38.4 million of State and Federal funds for the following programs:

• $10 million - NYS Community Development Block Grant funding for Housing Activities

• $25 million - AHC Affordable Home Ownership Development Program (AHODP)

• $1 million - Access to Home Program

• $1 million - Access to Home for Medicaid Recipients Program

• $1.4 million - RESTORE Program

NYS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The New York State Community Development Block Grant Program (NYS CDBG) is a federally funded program administered by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation’s Office of Community Renewal (OCR). The program provides resources to non-entitlement communities to enable the development of decent, affordable housing, create suitable living environments, and enhance economic opportunities across the state. Applicants to the NYS CDBG program must ensure that 70% of all activities principally benefit low- and moderate-income (LMI) persons.

CDBG ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants include non-entitlement villages, towns, cities or counties throughout New York State, excluding metropolitan cities, urban counties, and Indian Tribes that are designated Entitlement communities. Non-entitlement areas are defined as cities, towns, and villages with populations of less than 50,000 except those designated principal cities of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, and counties with populations of less than 200,000.

CDBG HOUSING ACTIVITIES

CDBG funds are available for housing projects (rehabilitation including mobile and manufactured home replacement; home ownership; residential water and wastewater systems) that primarily benefit low- and moderate-income persons.

2014 MAXIMUM FUNDING LIMITS

CDBG Housing Activities

Towns, Cities and Villages: $400,000

Counties: $750,000

APPLICATION FOR FUNDING

CDBG Housing Resources Funding Opportunities for 2014

Applicants seeking NYS CDBG funding for housing activities (housing rehabilitation, homeownership, private water/wastewater) must apply for funding through the 2014 Office of Community Renewal Housing Resources Funding Opportunities Application. The 2014 Application for CDBG Housing Activities will be available on the NYS Homes and Community Renewal web site, www.nyshcr.org/Funding/ on Wednesday, December 10, 2014. Applications will be due no later than 4:00 pm Friday, February 27, 2015.

Applications must be submitted using the Community Development Online Application System (CDOL) available at www.nyshcr.org/Forms/.

The above-stated application deadline is firm as to date and hour. In the interest of fairness to all competing applicants, applications received after the specified date and time will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for funding. Applicants should make early submission of their applications to avoid risks of ineligibility resulting from unanticipated delays or problems.

Applicants may make a request, based on demonstrated need, to submit a paper application in lieu of using the CDOL application system. Requests for approval to submit a paper application must be sent to: Mr. Christian Leo, Vice-President, NYS Homes and Community Renewal, Office of Community Renewal, Hampton Plaza, 38-40 State Street, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12207.

AHC AFFORDABLE HOME OWNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (AHODP)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Affordable Home Ownership Development Program (AHODP) is a State funded program administered by the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation's (AHC's) Office of Community Renewal (OCR). AHC's mission is to promote Home Ownership by persons of low- and moderate- income, which, in turn, fosters the development, stabilization and preservation of neighborhoods and communities throughout New York State.

AHC AHODP ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants include cities, towns, villages, and counties throughout New York State, housing authorities, housing development fund companies, and not-for-profit corporations or charitable organizations which have as one of their primary purposes the development and improvement of housing.

AHC AHODP ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

The AHODP provides funds for three project types:

• New construction of owner-occupied homes for sale, including one-to-four family homes, condominiums, cooperatives and the replacement of dilapidated mobile and manufactured homes with new Energy-Star manufactured homes or stick-built homes on homeowner-owned land.

• Acquisition/rehabilitation of owner-occupied homes for sale, including one-to-four family homes, condominiums and cooperatives.

• Home improvements to existing, owner-occupied one-to-four family homes, condominiums or cooperatives.

In the event the homes are to be located in a mixed-use structure, then any costs associated with the nonresidential uses are ineligible costs.

Proposals may not include more than one type of project. Individual proposals must be submitted for each project type. Eligible activities and owner-occupancy requirements are pursuant to the Program Regulations of the AHODP (please see the AHC Request for Proposals for details).

2014 MAXIMUM FUNDING LIMITS

The maximum AHODP award is $35,000 per unit except for high cost areas where the maximum award is $40,000 per unit. Additional information regarding high cost areas can be found at www.nyshcr.org/assets/documents/HighCostAreaTable.pdf. Due to limited funds, AHC may ask that projects requesting more than $1 million in grant funds be developed in phases.

AHC reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to negotiate with applicants, recommend funding in an amount less than requested, conduct site visits, interview the applicant and development team, extend the submission deadline, and request additional information. AHC reserves the right to waive or modify any requirement contained in the Request for Proposals, subject to the applicable statutes and the Program Regulations.

APPLICATION FOR FUNDING

AHC AHODP Housing Resources Funding Opportunities for 2014

The AHODP Application will be available on the NYS Homes and Community Renewal website at the following two locations on Wednesday, December 10, 2014:

www.nyshcr.org/Funding/ and www.nyhomes.org/Municipalities/AHCGrants/RequestsforProposals.htm

Applications will be due no later than Friday, February 13, 2015.

Applications are to be mailed or hand-delivered to:

Mr. Dominic A. Martello

Vice President

New York State Affordable Housing Corporation

641 Lexington Ave. - 4th Fl.

New York, NY 10022

ATTN: 2014 AHC AHODP Housing Activities Application

• If mailed, applications must be sent via FedEx, UPS or another similar service with delivery confirmation (i.e. U.S. Postal Service), and postmarked no later than Friday, February 13, 2015.

• If hand-delivered, applications must be received at the above address no later than 5:00 PM on Friday, February 13, 2015.

ACCESS TO HOME PROGRAM

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Access to Home Program is a State funded program administered by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation’s Office of Community Renewal (OCR) that provides grants to eligible applicants to make accessibility modifications to existing dwelling units occupied by low-income persons with disabilities.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants include cities, towns, villages or counties throughout New York State, and not-for-profit corporations that are incorporated under NYS Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. To be eligible for award, not-for-profit organizations must have been in existence and providing relevant service to the community for at least one year prior to application.

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

Applications will be accepted for programs that propose funding for one or more of the following activities in existing residential units:

• Installations of ramps, lifts, and other similar measures to permit access to and from the exterior of a building;

• Modifications to kitchens and bathrooms to provide access to persons with mobility limitations or disabling conditions;

• Interior accessibility modifications that will permit access within the unit for persons with mobility limitations or other disabling conditions;

• Installation of devices to permit a safe environment for persons with hearing or visual impairments;

• Architectural and engineering work, testing of assisted units for environmental, health and safety purposes, and other professional services necessary for the installation of accessibility modifications;

• Other activities required to install accessibility modifications.

FUNDING LIMITS

The maximum award amount is $150,000 with a dwelling unit maximum of $25,000. The minimum award amount is $75,000.

The OCR reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to negotiate with applicants, recommend funding in an amount less than requested, conduct site visits, interview the applicant and development team, extend the submission deadline, and request additional information. The OCR reserves the right to waive or modify any requirement contained in the Request for Proposals, subject to the applicable statutes and the Program Regulations.

APPLICATION FOR FUNDING

The Access to Home application will be available on the NYS Homes and Community Renewal website, www.nyshcr.org/Funding/ on Wednesday, December 10, 2014. Applications are due no later than 4:00 PM (EST) on Friday, February 13, 2015. Applications must be submitted using the Community Development Online Application System (CDOL) available at: www.nyshcr.org/Forms/.

The above-stated application deadline is firm as to date and hour. In the interest of fairness to all competing applicants, applications received after the specified date and time will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for funding. Applicants should make early submission of their applications to avoid risks of ineligibility resulting from unanticipated delays or problems.

Applicants may make a request, based on demonstrated need, to submit a paper application in lieu of using the CDOL application system. Requests for approval to submit a paper application must be sent to: Mr. Christian Leo, Vice-President, NYS Homes and Community Renewal, Office of Community Renewal, Hampton Plaza, 38-40 State Street, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12207.

ACCESS TO HOME FOR MEDICAID PROGRAM

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Access to Home for Medicaid Program is a State funded program administered by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation’s Office of Community Renewal (OCR), in coordination with NYS Department of Health, that provides grants to eligible applicants to make accessibility modifications to existing dwelling units occupied by persons with disabilities that also receive Medicaid assistance. Units occupied by persons with disabilities but not receiving Medicaid assistance are not eligible for this program.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants include cities, towns, villages or counties throughout New York State, and not-for-profit corporations that are incorporated under NYS Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. To be eligible for award, not-for-profit organizations must have been in existence and providing relevant service to the community for at least one year prior to application.

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

Applications will be accepted for programs that propose funding for one or more of the following activities in existing residential units:

• Installations of ramps, lifts, and other similar measures to permit access to and from the exterior of a building;

• Modifications to kitchens and bathrooms to provide access to persons with mobility limitations or disabling conditions;

• Interior accessibility modifications that will permit access within the unit for persons with mobility limitations or other disabling conditions;

• Installation of devices to permit a safe environment for persons with hearing or visual impairments;

• Architectural and engineering work, testing of assisted units for environmental, health and safety purposes, and other professional services necessary for the installation of accessibility modifications;

• Other activities required to install accessibility modifications.

FUNDING LIMITS

The maximum award amount is $150,000 with a dwelling unit maximum of $25,000. The minimum award amount is $75,000.

The OCR reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to negotiate with applicants, recommend funding in an amount less than requested, conduct site visits, interview the applicant and development team, extend the submission deadline, and request additional information. The OCR reserves the right to waive or modify any requirement contained in the Request for Proposals, subject to the applicable statutes and the Program Regulations.

APPLICATION FOR FUNDING

The Access to Home for Medicaid application will be available on the NYS Homes and Community Renewal website, www.nyshcr.org/Funding/ on Wednesday, December 10, 2014. Applications are due no later than 4:00 PM (EST) on Friday, February 13, 2015. Applications must be submitted using the Community Development Online Application System (CDOL) available at: www.nyshcr.org/Forms/.

The above-stated application deadline is firm as to date and hour. In the interest of fairness to all competing applicants, applications received after the specified date and time will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for funding. Applicants should make early submission of their applications to avoid risks of ineligibility resulting from unanticipated delays or problems.

Applicants may make a request, based on demonstrated need, to submit a paper application in lieu of using the CDOL application system. Requests for approval to submit a paper application must be sent to: Mr. Christian Leo, Vice-President, NYS Homes and Community Renewal, Office of Community Renewal, Hampton Plaza, 38-40 State Street, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12207.

RESTORE PROGRAM

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The RESTORE program is a State funded program administered by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation’s Office of Community Renewal (OCR) to grant funds to eligible applicants to cover the cost of emergency repairs in homes owned by low- income elderly persons.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants include cities, towns, villages, and counties throughout New York State, and not-for-profit corporations that are incorporated under the NYS Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. To be eligible for award, not-for-profit organizations must have been in existence and providing relevant service to the community for at least one year prior to application.

ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES

Applications will be accepted for programs that benefit elderly homeowners (60 years of age or older) with incomes less than 80 percent of median income that propose funding for one or more of the following activities:

• Repairs to 1-4 unit residential dwellings owned and occupied by an elderly homeowner that correct an emergency housing condition. The age and incomes of any tenants within a multi-unit structure does not factor into the eligibility of a property.

• Repairs addressing furnace, roof, electrical and plumbing or other emergency repairs.

FUNDING LIMITS

The maximum award amount is $50,000 with a building maximum of $10,000. The minimum award amount is $25,000.

The OCR reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to negotiate with applicants, recommend funding in an amount less than requested, conduct site visits, interview the applicant and development team, extend the submission deadline, and request additional information. The OCR reserves the right to waive or modify any requirement contained in the Request for Proposals, subject to the applicable statutes and the Program Regulations.

APPLICATION FOR FUNDING

The RESTORE application will be available on the NYS Homes and Community Renewal website, www.nyshcr.org/Funding/ on Wednesday, December 10, 2014. Applications are due no later than 4:00 PM (EST) on Friday, February 13, 2015. Applications should be submitted using the Community Development Online Application System (CDOL) available at www.nyshcr.org/Forms/.

The above-stated application deadline is firm as to date and hour. In the interest of fairness to all competing applicants, applications received after the specified date and time will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for funding. Applicants should make early submission of their applications to avoid risks of ineligibility resulting from unanticipated delays or problems.

Applicants may make a request, based on demonstrated need, to submit a paper application in lieu of using the CDOL application system. Requests for approval to submit a paper application must be sent to: Mr. Christian Leo, Vice-President, NYS Homes and Community Renewal, Office of Community Renewal, Hampton Plaza, 38-40 State Street, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12207.

MINORITY- AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES (M/WBE) COMPLIANCE

In accordance with Section 312 of Article 15-A of the Executive Law, NYS Homes and Community Renewal requires contractors and awardees to make affirmative efforts to ensure that New York State certified Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises have opportunities for meaningful participation on projects awarded funding by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation and the Affordable Housing Corporation.

On October 1, 2014 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that his Administration is increasing its goal for MWBE state contracting utilization to 30 percent, the highest such target for any state in the nation. You can read more about the Governor’s announcement at http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/10114-mwbe-contracting.

Additional information regarding M/WBE compliance for the Programs included in this NOFA can be found at http://www.nyshcr.org/AboutUs/Offices/FairHousing/.

NEW YORK STATE GRANTS GATEWAY PREQUALIFICATION

The New York State Grants Gateway is a statewide effort that will improve the way the State administers grants by simplifying and streamlining the grants management process.

Effective August 1, 2014, not-for-profit organizations must be prequalified in order to do business with New York State. In order to prequalify, not-for-profit organizations must submit an online Prequalification Application through the Grants Gateway. The Prequalification Application is comprised of five components to gauge your organizational structure and the types of services you provide. The required forms and document uploads are all part of the Grants Gateway Document Vault. Resources to complete the application and associated document vault can be found in the Quick Links Section of the Grants Gateway page at http://grantsreform.ny.gov/.

Prequalification is designed as a way for not-for-profits to interact more directly with State agencies before they compete for State contracts, enabling them to make adjustments and answer concerns prior to entering a competitive bid process. Once they have been prequalified, multiple State agencies will have ready access to the prequalification materials, eliminating redundant submissions of such information by the vendor. Not-for-profits will only have to formally prequalify every 3 years, with the responsibility to keep their information current throughout the 3 year period.

PLEASE NOTE: Not-for-Profit applicants that are not prequalified through the New York State Grants Gateway by the application deadline of Friday, February 13, 2015, will not be eligible to receive funds, and any applications submitted to the OCR will be deemed ineligible for review and consideration.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For inquiries or technical assistance regarding the NYS CDBG, HOME Investment Partnership for Local Program Administrators, Access to Home and RESTORE programs, please contact: Home and Community Renewal, Office of Community Renewal, The Hampton Plaza, 38-40 State St., 4th Fl. S, Albany, NY 12207, (518) 474-2057

For inquiries and technical assistance regarding AHC’s AHODP, please contact: Homes and Community Renewal, Affordable Housing Corporation, 641 Lexington Ave., 4th Fl., New York, NY 10022, (212) 872-0438