Apply for Funds & Grants

To increase program performance and efficiency while reducing administrative burden, the State of Rhode Island Department of Housing, Housing Resources Commission, and the Department of Human Services – together with the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Entitlement Cities of Pawtucket, Providence, and Woonsocket – have joined to create the Consolidated Homeless Fund Partnership (CHFP). In accordance with program regulations published relative to the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act, as amended, the CHFP announces the anticipated availability of homeless funding through the Consolidated Homeless Fund Partnership (CHFP) competitive grant application process. This Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks proposals for preventing and responding to homelessness in the State of Rhode Island, including through emergency shelters and low-barrier warming centers, street outreach and engagement, housing navigation, housing problem solving, rapid re-housing, system-wide services, and other innovative projects.

The State of Rhode Island seeks to create a trauma-informed, low-barrier, person-centered homeless response system that incorporates the Housing First philosophy. Our goal is to create a system that prevents homelessness when possible and rapidly returns people experiencing homelessness to community-based housing with supportive services as needed. The State also seeks innovations driven by those with lived experience of homelessness. It encourages agencies to engage in conversations with unsheltered individuals and/or experiencing homelessness in our system as your agency applies for funding. This RFP also challenges agencies to leverage mainstream resources whenever possible to expand our purchasing capacity and serve additional households. We realize that all individuals served are not eligible for Medicaid services and that Medicaid cannot cover all aspects of services; however, Medicaid funding should be a component of your budget.

The CHFP and the Department administer many CHF projects and programs in conformance with the ESG regulations set out at 24 CFR §574.  However, for projects proposed for funding other than ESG, the Department will consider requests for exemption from ESG requirements or other requirements expressed in this solicitation.  Such requests shall (1) identify the specific regulation(s) for which the exemption is requested and (2) the basis, therefore.  The exemption(s) must relate directly to achieving a proposal that is consistent with the Principles of Service Delivery.

Estimated Funding

The CHFP anticipates approximately $9.4 million in funds for the program year of October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024. The actual availability and amount of funds are contingent upon Federal and State funding availability.

The CHFP anticipates the availability of federal and state funding from the following programs/sources:

• City of Pawtucket, Emergency Solutions Grant Program ($150,000.00) est.  (Awards are subject to local City of Pawtucket approval)
• City of Providence, Emergency Solutions Grant Program ($425,000) est. (Awards are subject to local City of Providence approval)
• City of Woonsocket, Emergency Solutions Grant Program ($95,000) est. (Awards are subject to local City of Woonsocket approval)
• City of Providence, American Rescue Plan ($2,300,000) est. (Awards are subject to local City of Providence approval)
• State of Rhode Island, Emergency Solutions Grant Program ($666,296) est.
• State of Rhode Island, Title XX Homeless Funds ($1,272,598) est.
• State of Rhode Island, Housing Resources Commission Homelessness Resources ($4,500,000) est. - subject to HRC approval.
• Other sources of funds may also become available.  These may include, but not be limited to State Fiscal Recovery Funds for Homelessness Infrastructure, State Fiscal Recovery Funds for Homelessness Assistance, and Opioid Settlement Funds.

Please note that local (Providence, Pawtucket, and Woonsocket) Emergency Solutions Grant Funds contributed to the CHFP must be distributed to projects serving those communities and are subject to local funding approvals.    - Variations from estimated amounts may occur. 

Notes regarding estimated allocations:

1. Emergency Solution Grant and Title XX funds may be used to support emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, street outreach and essential services programs. 
2. Housing Resources Commission funds are anticipated to be available to support all program activities.
3. Contracts for funding will be executed with the respective member of the Partnership administering that funding and managing all aspects of contract administration. Final contract execution is subject to compliance with the requirements of the funding entity, including good standing of all applicable audits and monitoring reports. 
4. The CHFP may choose to allocate these funds across more than one solicitation.

Request For Proposal Timeline

The CHFP seeks proposals for various homeless projects in response to this RFP from qualified nonprofit organizations or government entities (Vendors). Vendors may apply for multiple projects (e.g., rapid rehousing, street outreach, and/or shelter). Vendors must submit unique proposals for each project they are applying for. The CHFP strongly encourages providers to think about innovative ways to run the most effective projects possible, including partnering with other agencies, utilizing Medicaid funding, or other approaches that strengthen the homeless response system overall.

Please note that the Department may provide supplemental information or guidance and/or schedule additional meetings/information sessions with potential vendors and community stakeholders to engage in conversations, including potentially on a regional basis. Such information and conversations may aim to identify potential locations for warming centers or other facilities. Supplemental information will be posted at https://ohcd.ri.gov/homelessness.

The CHFP will accept proposals by two deadlines. Each deadline will focus on different project types. Below is the solicitation schedule, which is subject to change.

Deadline #1: Proposals due on Thursday, August 3^rd, 2023.

Applications for the following project types must be submitted by Thursday, August 3^rd, 2023 (Deadline #1):

• Emergency Shelters
• Street Outreach
• Rapid Re-Housing
• Housing Problem Solving 
• Supportive Services Only
• System-wide and systems projects

Please note, proposals for the projects listed above will not be accepted after the deadline on August 3^rd. You can find program descriptions in Section VII, under A. Eligible projects under deadline 1.

The program year for projects selected under the first deadline is anticipated to be October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024. The initial contract term is anticipated to be for up to 12 months, beginning October 1, 2023, with the possibility of extensions. Extension terms are at the discretion of the CHFP or the relevant funder and may be contingent upon the Department of Housing and/or Entitlement City budget approval, project performance, contract compliance, and other factors. 

Deadline #1 TIMELINE

Deadline 2: Update: Applications received by 8/31 are in the process of being reviewed.  Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis through January 31, 2024, at 11:59p.m. EST, although applicants are encouraged to submit proposals as soon as possible.

Applications for the following project types will be accepted on a rolling basis through the deadline. (Deadline #2):

• Warming Centers 
• Temporary Seasonal Shelters 
• New Permanent Emergency Shelters (contract term depends on shelter timeline)

The Department of Housing is interested in expanding shelter capacity to accommodate the current and projected needs of persons experiencing homelessness. Through the CHF RFP, the State is soliciting proposals to expand shelter capacity for temporary seasonal shelters, warming centers, and permanent shelter expansion.

You can find descriptions for each project in Section VII, under A. Eligible projects under deadline 2.

Deadline #2 TIMELINE

FY 2024 CHFP Application 

You can access the application via the following website under “RIHOU-Department of Housing”: Funding Opportunities - Find a Grant Opportunity in Rhode Island (ri.gov)

Click on the link below for helpful tips on how to navigate the eCivis portal and submit an application:

https://ohcd.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur401/files/2023-06/eCIVIS%20HELP…

Submitting Questions

Please submit questions via e-mail to Housing.CDBG@housing.ri.gov

Questions may be submitted until Friday, July 14, 2023 at 12:00 pm.

Other useful Consolidated Homeless Fund RFP reference information:

• HUD’s New Definition of Homelessness
• Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program Components Quick Reference
• How to Make Cash Flow Projections
• Sample Financial Policies
• Sample Cost Allocation Plan
• Exit Destinations Report
• Treatment of Families Under Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs
• HUD’s Definition of Chronically Homeless
• Shelter Inspection Form
• Minimum Standards for Permanent Housing
• Rent Reasonableness Checklist
• Homeless Definition
• Appropriate Placement for Transgender Persons

This is only a preview of the application questions. All applications must be submitted through eCivis.