RFP # 2010-1 ANALYSIS OF IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING CHOICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Delaware State Housing Authority New Castle County Department of Community Services City of Wilmington City of Dover
RFP FOR PREPARATION OF ANALYSIS OF IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING CHOICE RFP # 2010-1 In accordance with the Common Rule (24 CFR Part 85.36), which establishes standards for the procurement of property and services involving the expenditure of federal funds, the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), New Castle County Department of Community Services, City of Wilmington, and the City of Dover hereby requests proposals from qualified individuals and firms for the provision of professional consulting services. BACKGROUND The aforementioned entities are entitlement jurisdictions under the Department of Housing and Urban Development s (HUD s) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME). As a condition of these federal grants, the entities are required to certify to HUD that they will affirmatively further fair housing. These certifications are included in their annual Consolidated Plan (CP) submission to HUD. One way of affirmatively furthering fair housing is to prepare an Analysis of Impediments (AI) to Fair Housing Choice and to maintain records on actions taken to overcome impediments to fair housing choice. TYPES OF SERVICES REQUIRED The AI will be prepared in accordance with HUD s Fair Housing Planning Guide, Volume 1, which can be found on the Internet at http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/images/fhpg.pdf. The elements of the AI are as follows: JURISDICTION BACKGROUND DATA 1. Demographic and income 2 Employment and housing data 3. Geographic distribution of Housing Choice Vouchers, and subsidized and tax credit rental sites by Census tract 4. Maps when appropriate, maps should be used to illustrate background data, particularly as they relate to racial/ethnic integration and housing costs/availability/affordability 2
EVALUATION OF JURISDICTIONS CURRENT FAIR HOUSING LEGAL STATUS 1. Findings resulting from fair housing complaints and lawsuits 2. Reasons for trends or patterns 3. Discussion of other fair housing concerns or problems JURISDICTIONS IDENTIFICATION OF IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING CHOICE 1. Public Sector a. Public policies and actions affecting approval of sites and other building requirements used in the approval process for the construction of housing i. Local zoning laws and policies, exclusionary zoning ii. Land use policies, impact fees iii. Planning and zoning boards structure and decision-making trends b. Administrative policies that may effect the location of affordable housing opportunities outside of areas of minority concentration i. Displacement ii. Neighborhood revitalization iii. Municipal services iv. Sale/demolition of subsidized housing v. Property tax policies vi. Construction of affordable housing programs vii. Housing rehabilitation loan/grant programs c. Barriers to full access to the State of Delaware, New Castle County Department of Community Services, City of Wilmington, City of Dover housing services d. Public Housing and other assisted/insured housing provider tenant selection procedures; housing choices for certificate and voucher holders 2. Private Sector a. Sale or rental of housing i. Real estate practices, such as steering or blockbusting broken out by race and ethnic group ii. Deed restrictions, trust, or lease provisions iii. Conversion of apartments to all-adult iv. Property management firms occupancy quotas 3
v. Exclusionary advertisements and questionable application forms/procedures b. Provision of housing brokerage services i. Exclusion of minority brokers from participation in multiple listing service or professional associations ii. Assignment of brokers by areas of racial/ethnic composition of Census tracts iii. Restrictions in use of privileges, services, or facilities by all brokers c. Provision of financing assistance for housing, including second mortgage/refinancing lending i. Discriminatory lending patterns, practices, and disclosures ii. Discriminatory appraisal and underwriting practices iii. Disinvestments and redlining practices iv. Racial credit steering v. Predatory lending vi. Discrimination in property insurance risk assessment and underwriting 3. Other Areas of Inquiry a. Discriminatory actions based on language/cultural barriers or physical/mental disability and special needs of these populations b. Compliance with accessibility requirements in construction of multi-family units c. Effects of perceived geographic divisions/images d. Employment-Housing-Transportation linkage; effectiveness of mobility programs to encourage desegregation IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FAIR HOUSING ACTIVITIES 1. Fair Housing Enforcement a. Identification of entities involved in fair housing enforcement b. Roles/responsibilities/limitations and quantifiable accomplishments compared to prior studies 2. Fair Housing Education a. Identification of entities involved in local fair housing education or fair housing advocacy b. Description of each entity s activities and quantifiable accomplishments compared to prior studies 4
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Each of these elements is to be summarized, with findings and recommendations, by the Consolidated Plan jurisdictions of the State of Delaware, New Castle County Department of Community Services, City of Wilmington, and City of Dover. STRATEGY TO ADDRESS IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING CHOICE Compare conclusions and recommendations of the current Impediment Study with prior jurisdictional studies and already implemented strategies to address fair housing. Based on these comparisons develop short term and long term strategies for each jurisdiction independent of each other. GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS FOR IDENTIFYING IMPEDIMENTS Impediments will be identified by Delaware s three Counties, as well as, the cities of Wilmington and Dover. Census tract level detail will be used when applicable. INFORMATION REQUIRED OF EACH PROPOSER Each proposal submitted in response to this RFP shall contain responses to the following: 1. Name of individual or firm, business address and telephone number, along with a brief history of the stability and continuity of the proposer's service 2. Names and qualifications of key individuals who will be assigned to the project. Identify any subconsultants that will be used in the project. Describe the specific AI experience of each individual to be assigned to the project 3. Description of the experience of the proposer in conducting AIs as well as the capacity to conduct this AI 4. Description of the proposed approach to providing the required services including specific methodologies for completing various aspects of the AI study 5. Fixed price fee proposal including the hourly rate structure for each representative of the firm to be assigned to the project by name and position/title 6. Names and contact information for at least three references familiar with your AI accomplishments 7. Provide information on whether proposer s organization meets the definition of small business, minority business enterprise, or women s business enterprise 5
SELECTION OF PROPOSER DSHA, New Castle County Department of Community Services, City of Wilmington, and the City of Dover will select the proposal that demonstrates the highest degree of experience and competence. Each proposal will be rated and ranked in accordance with the following criteria: 1. Continuity and stability of proposer (10 points) 2. Technical qualifications of individuals to be assigned to project (15 points) 3. Proposer's demonstrated ability and capacity (15 points) 4. Quality of proposal: (30 points) a. approach for conducting AI study b. specific methodologies for completing various aspects of the AI study 5. Total price of study (10 points) 6. Ability to meet proposed timeline (15 points) 7. Designation of one of the following: (5 points) a. small business; b. minority business enterprise; and/or, c. women s business enterprise COMPLETION OF AI STUDY The selected contractor must be able to research and submit a completed AI study to the satisfaction of the four referenced jurisdictions within six months of date contract awarded. The Strategy to address identified impediments shall be completed to the satisfaction of the four referenced jurisdictions within eight months of date contract awarded. DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS Interested parties should submit five copies of their proposals no later than 4:00 p.m. prevailing time on March 19 th, 2010. Proposals should be submitted to: Attention: Paul Reynolds New Castle County Development of Community Services 77 Reads Way New Castle, DE 19720 6
NONDISCRIMINATION DSHA, New Castle County Department of Community Services, City of Wilmington, and the City of Dover are equal opportunity affirmative action contractors. Each proposal will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religious creed, handicap, ancestry, age, sex or national origin. TIMELINE March 19, 2010 - Proposals due April 2 - Consultant selected, contract signed Week of April 12 - Meet with Fair Housing Task Force September 2 - First draft of AI submitted September 15 - Review and comment of draft AI October 31 - First draft of Implementation Plan submitted November 9 - Review and comment of draft Implementation Plan by Fair Housing Task Force November 30 - Draft Implementation Plan submitted to public for review and comments December 6-10 - Public Hearing on draft Plan; one hearing held in each County January 29, 2011 - Final bound edition, with appropriate number of copies, of AI and Implementation Plan submitted 7
(SUGGESTED NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENT) Request for Proposals Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), New Castle County Department of Community Services, City of Wilmington, and the City of Dover are seeking proposals from qualified professionals for the provision of professional consulting services in support of the Analysis of Impediments (AI) to Fair Housing Choice. The AI involves research on fair housing issues, the identification of impediments to fair housing choice and a strategy to address impediments to fair housing. The specific services being sought by these entities are identified in RFP #2010-1, Request for Proposals for Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. A copy of this document may be obtained from: Attention: Paul Reynolds New Castle County Development of Community Services 77 Reads Way New Castle, DE 19720 The deadline for the submission of proposals is 4:00 p.m. prevailing time on March 19, 2010. Award will be made to the proposer whose proposal is most advantageous to the entities. All qualified persons, firms and proposers will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, handicap or sex. 8