Neighborhood Networks NOFA

1. Neighborhood NetworksNOFA For Fiscal Year 2007 CFDA # 14.875

2. REQUEST • PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE NOFA • Go to: http://http://www.hud.gov/grants/index.cfm • Click on “Funds Available” and then “Other HUD Grant Funds Available” • READ THE GENERAL SECTION OF THE 2007 SUPERNOFA • Go to link above and again to “Funds Available” click on “2007 SuperNOFA General Section”.

3. REQUEST • WATCH THE GRANTS.GOV AND LOGIC MODEL WEBCASTS • The grants.gov webcast can be found by going to: http://www.hud.gov/webcasts/archives/grantstakeholder.cfm (look for January 4, 2007) • The Logic Model webcast can be found by going to www.hud.gov/webcasts/archives (click “SuperNOFA archives”, then “2007 SuperNOFA webcasts” – scroll down for the March 20th External Broadcast)

4. PROGRAM PURPOSE To provide grants to Public Housing Authorities to either: • Update and expand an existing NN center OR 2. Establish a new NN center

5. DEFINITIONS • Existing Center: • A computer lab owned and operated by a PHA that has not received prior NN funding; • A center previously funded by the NN grant • A lab that needs funding to become fully operational • New Center: • One that will be established with NN grant funds

6. FUNDS AVAILABLE • Approximately $10 million • NOTE: This is probably the LAST NOFA for Neighborhood Networks

7. MAXIMUM FUNDING AMOUNTS • Existing Centers • 1-780 units: $150,000 • 781-2,500 units: $200,000 • 2,501-7,300 units: $250,000 • 7,301 or more units: $300,000

8. MAXIMUM FUNDING AMOUNTS • New Centers: • 1-780 units: $300,000 • 781-2,500 units: $400,000 • 2,501-7,300 units: $500,000 • 7,301 or more units: $600,000

9. FUNDING BREAKDOWN • 40% of available funds will be used for the existing center category • 60% of available funds will be used for the new center category

10. APPLICATION DEADLINE February 15, 2008 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern No exceptions Received AND validated (which may take 24-48 hours)

11. Application Deadline Date/Waivers • It is unlikely that any waivers will be granted authorizing submission of paper applications

12. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS • Public Housing Authorities - ONLY • Note: Applicants can only submit one application either for the existing center category or the new center category

13. JOINT APPLICANTS • Two or more PHAs may joint together to apply • HUD will use the applicant identified on the SF-424 form as the lead applicant. • ONLY the lead applicant is subject to all threshold requirements in the NOFA and General Section • NOTE: Joint applicants may combine the number of units to determine the amount they are eligible to apply for.

14. ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS • Neighborhood Networks funds may be used to serve residents of public housing as well as residents who receive other types of housing assistance.

15. Funding Restrictions • Requests in excess of maximum grant amount: • Applicants will only be given consideration for the funds for which they are eligible. Budget will be re-worked with Field Office after award. • Only eligible activities proposed in the original application will be allowed

16. GRANT TERM • The grant term is for three years from the date the Grant Agreement (HUD-1044) is signed by both grantee and HUD • Wherever the application asks for timelines or dates please estimate.

17. Changes from 2006 • Maximum project coordinator salary: $68,000 • Administrative salaries are eligible (but still subject to 10% admin restriction) • Joint applicants may COMBINE their eligible units to determine funding eligibility • Narrative 40 pages (up from 35) • Program-related Travel – eligible this year

18. ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES • Hiring a Qualified Project Coordinator • 2 years of experience running a community technology center and working to provide supportive services to underserved populations • Literacy training • Computer training

19. ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES • College Preparatory Classes • Job Training and Activities that lead to economic self sufficiency • Physical improvements • NOTE: If work related to physical improvements is done off-site the application must contain evidence of site control (e.g. a lease) for the duration of the grant term.

20. ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES • Maintenance and insurance costs • Purchase of computers, printers, software, other peripheral equipment and furniture for NN center • Distance learning equipment – proposal must indicate that center will work with an educational institution in a virtual setting

21. ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES • Security and related costs • Hiring residents to help with the implementation of the grant program • Administrative expenses • Staff training and long-distance travel

22. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS • Administrative expenses – up to 10% of the grant amount can be used for these purposes • Includes paying administrative salaries • Itemize in 424-CBW- budget form • Hiring residents – up to 5% of the grant amount can be used for this purpose

23. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS • Project Coordinatorsalary – up to $68,000 a year (including benefits) but mustbe commensurate with local rates • Project Coordinator – • Can propose to hire a part-time coordinator, but salary must be reduced in proportion • Documentation on file

24. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS • Physical Improvements • New centers: 20% of grant amount • Existing centers: 10% of grant amount • Long-distance travel – • up to $5,000 • must be for training purposes related to the grant

25. THRESHOLD REQUIREMENTS REMEMBER: Even one failed threshold means your application will not be considered for funding. Match: All applicants must clearly demonstrate at least a 25% firmlycommitted match

26. THRESHOLD REQUIREMENTS • Match - • Firmly committed means: • In writing and on letterhead • Explicit (amount) • Example: $100 x 3 years = $300 • And letter signed by an authorized representative

27. THRESHOLD REQUIREMENTS • Match letters: • Must be dated between publication date and due date of NOFA • Should explain how the commitment will be used towards the program (both monetary and in-kind) • Applicants proposing to use their own resources must also include a letter that follows the same specifications, letterhead, signed, dated, etc.

28. THRESHOLD REQUIREMENTS • Words of Caution: • Match proposed for ineligible activities will not be counted • Applicants may not count their staff time towards their match • BONUS: The more match you have the higher the score you will receive in Rating Factor 4.

29. THRESHOLD REQUIREMENTS • Past Performance • Evaluated by field offices • Using portion of Rating Factor 1 related to past performance • Score of 75 or higher

30. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS • Physical improvements: • all improvements must meet accessibility standards • if conducted off-site, applicant must show site control for duration of grant • Contract Administrator: • PHAs that are troubled at time of application must submit a signed Contract Administrator Partnership Agreement • Other requirements as established by the 2007 SuperNOFA

31. INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES • Payment of wages/salaries to participants – just for participating • This is not the same as paying a resident to help implement program • Purchase, lease, rental of land • Purchase, lease, or rental of vehicles • Vehicle maintenance and/or insurance • Entertainment costs

32. Ineligible Activities • Food • Payment of wages/salaries for staff other than: • Program coordinator • Resident staff • Direct services staff • Administrative staff

33. Ineligible Activities • Stipends • Scholarships for degree programs • Cost of application preparation • Hiring a contract administrator

34. Ineligible Activities • Costs that exceed limits set by NOFA for: • Program Coordinator • Resident salaries • Administrative costs/salaries • Physical improvements • Travel

35. REVIEW PROCESS • Four Types of Review: • Eligibility; • Complete, meets deadline and threshold; • Past performance; and • Technical review (Rating Factors)

36. Bonus Points • RC/EZ/EC Communities are eligible for 2 extra points. • Take the time to find out if you are at http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/economicdevelopment/programs/rc/tour/roundnumber.cfm • If you are, fill out the form!

37. Reminder • ALL Applicants must have a statement on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing based on the language in the General Section • MUST include specific steps to address 1, 2 AND 3 listed in center column, bottom of p. 2399 General Section

38. Reminder • All applicants must submit a Code of Conduct that has been approved by their Field Office • UNLESS – your organization is listed on the Code of Conduct page http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/grants/codeofconduct/cconduct.cfm and none of the following have changed: • Executive Director • Address • Organization name

39. RATING FACTORS • Narrative for each rating factor • Please be as specific as possible • 40 pages, double spaced, single-sided, Times New Roman Font size 12 • Lay out your narratives according to the format established in the rating factors, e.g. Rating Factor 1 is broken down into subparts. Respond to each subpart and label each response accordingly.

40. RATING FACTORS • Read the scoring and respond to each subfactor. This makes it easier for the reviewers. • Remember that the reviewers may not have worked in the program, in housing, or in supportive services.

41. RATING FACTORS • Rating Factor 1: Capacity of the Applicant and Relevant Organizational Staff (up to 25 points • Rating Factor 2: Need (up to 15 points) • Rating Factor 3: Soundness of Approach (up to 35 points) • Rating Factor 4: Leverage (up to 10 points) • Rating Factor 5: Achieving Results and Program Evaluation (up to 15 points)

42. RATING FACTOR 1 Capacity of the Applicant & Relevant Organizational Staff • Proposed Program Staffing a. Staff experience • Recent, relevant and successful • Use HUD-52756 – staffing chart b. Hiring Residents • Up to 3 points will be awarded if applicants commit to hiring one to three residents (depending on PHA size)

43. Rating Factor 1 c. Organizational Capacity • Sufficient and qualified personnel • Provide evidence of partnerships to supplement capacity • Where staff is not hired, resumes/position descriptions can be submitted (not counted towards 40 page limit)

44. Rating Factor 1 • Past Performance of Applicant/Contract Administrator • Benefits gained by residents (measurable) • Timely and accurate expenditure of past grants

45. Rating Factor 1 • Program Administration and Fiscal Management • Program Administration • Staff roles and responsibilities • How staff and partners will report to Project Coordinator

46. Rating Factor 1 b. Fiscal Management i. Description of fiscal management structure ii. Audit findings in past 5 years iii. Skills and experience of contract administrator (if applicable)

47. Rating Factor 2Need 1. Socio-economic Profile Thorough socioeconomic profile of the eligible residents to be served by the program, including education levels, income levels, and other pertinent data or the local area. • May provide data for local area and show that residents reflect this data or provide resident-specific data.

48. Rating Factor 2 • Demonstrated Link Between Proposed Activities and Local Need • Strong, clear relationship between the proposed activities, community needs and the purpose of the program funding.

49. Rating Factor 3 Soundness of Approach • Quality of the Business Plan a. Specific Services and/or Activities i. Involve community partners and ii. Involve Resident Associations in delivery of services

50. Rating Factor 3 iii. Offer Comprehensive Services • Describe the specific services, course curricula, and activities you plan to offer and who will be responsible for each. • Comprehensive services