Homeless Assistance Fund, Inc.
FY2018 Funding Application
For grant period: 7/1/17-6/30/19
Application Deadline: March 3, 2017
Applicant Information Session: February 10, 2017 (9:30-11:00)
The Homeless Assistance Fund, Inc. (HAFI) supports programs in Philadelphia that remove
barriers facing families and individuals who are experiencing homelessness in their quest for
permanent housing. HAFI funding is intended to help people move into permanent housing
(either market-rate or subsidized). For the current grant solicitation, HAFI support is restricted
to programs that work with families with children and/or unaccompanied youth/young adults
(ages 16-24). HAFI is unable to provide support to programs that do not serve these client
populations.
For questions and to RSVP for the Applicant Information Session (information on page 3)
contact Janet Kroll ([email protected] or 215-460-1284). Attendance at this session is
recommended but not required. This session is intended to acquaint applicants with changes that
have been made to HAFI’s grantmaking guidelines.
Grantmaking Guidelines:
HAFI requests proposals for programs in Philadelphia that assist families with children and/or
unaccompanied youth/young adults (16-24) who are experiencing homelessness to identify
and access permanent housing with a high likelihood of their sustaining that housing over time.
All grants are for two years, beginning July 1, 2017. Grant funds may be used for:
Direct Housing Costs, defined as:
o
Rental assistance for the first few or last month’s rent for permanent housing
o
Security deposits for permanent housing
o
Payment of utility arrearages to reduce barriers to accessing permanent housing
o
Purchase of basic household items necessary to sustain stable housing
o
Membership in the Philadelphia Furniture Bank
(https://pathwaystohousingpa.org/furniture/get-furniture)
Staffing Costs defined as costs associated with staff working directly on this HAFI-funded
program. Staffing costs may not exceed 40% of the total grant budget, and may include the
following:
o Salary and fringe benefits for staff working on the HAFI-funded program
o Up to $2,000 each year for one staff person working on the HAFI-funded program to
attend one regional or national conference annually that will contribute to the
program’s effectiveness (supported costs may include conference registration,
air/train travel, hotel and meals while at the conference).
HAFI FY18 Proposal
Page 1
Ineligible requests: HAFI will not consider support for:
1) Programs providing services outside of Philadelphia.
2) Programs that do not serve at least one of HAFI’s target populations: homeless families
with children, and/or unaccompanied youth/young adults (ages 16-24).
3) Programs that do not include support for a transition from homelessness to permanent
housing.
4) Staffing costs that exceed 40% of the full grant amount.
5) Salary support for staff not directly working on the HAFI-funded project.
6) General operating costs.
Eligible Program Beneficiaries:
An individual is considered homeless when s/he resides in:
a. Places not meant for human habitation (e.g., cars, abandoned buildings).
b. An emergency shelter or transitional or supportive housing for homeless persons
who originally came from the streets or emergency shelters.
c. In any of the above places, but is spending a short time (up to 30 consecutive
days) in a hospital or other institution.
d. Is being evicted (written documentation required) within 14 days from a private
dwelling unit and no subsequent residence has been identified, and the individual
lacks resources/support networks needed to obtain housing.
e. Is fleeing a domestic violence housing situation and no subsequent residence has
been identified, and the individual lacks the resources/support networks needed to
obtain housing.
Application Specifications:




All grants are for two years, from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019. Grant requests
cannot exceed $70,000 over two years, with staffing costs not to exceed 40% of the total
budget.
The proposal narrative (see page 6) should not exceed ten pages, double-spaced with 12
point font and one inch margins.
Applications will not be considered if they are not aligned with HAFI’s funding
guidelines, are incomplete, exceed the page limit, or are submitted after the
deadline.
Completed applications should comprise the following:
o Cover page, program abstract, narrative, budget, and budget narrative
o Attachments
1.
Resumes for program staff supported with HAFI funds
2.
Organization’s Board approved Annual Operating Budget
3.
Latest Financial Statement (Audit preferred, IRS 990 accepted if Audit not
available)
4.
List of current funding sources for work with homeless clients: purpose,
amount and duration for each (e.g., foundation grants, CoC support)
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY 5:00 P.M. ON FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017 VIA EMAIL:
[email protected]
HAFI FY18 Proposal
Page 2
HAFI FY 2018 APPLICATION TIMELINE
DATE
EVENT
Friday, February 10, 2017
9:30-11:00 a.m.
Applicant Information Session at The
Philadelphia Foundation (1234 Market St.,
Suite 1800 Philadelphia PA). RSVP to
[email protected]
Completed applications due to HAFI via email:
[email protected]
Proposals are reviewed by HAFI’s application
review panel, comprised of experts in the field
and senior staff from local funding
agencies/foundations, who serve on the panel
as volunteers.
HAFI’s Board approves FY2018 grantee slate.
Friday, March 3, 2017 by 5:00 p.m.
March/April 2017
May 15, 2017
May 16 - 26, 2017
July 1, 2017
Applicants notified of grant decisions by
HAFI’s Executive Director
FY2018 grant year begins
Application Review Criteria:
1. Organizational capacity: the organization demonstrates the capacity and commitment to
undertake and sustain the work outlined in the proposal and to accomplish project goals,
as evidenced by prior performance and discussion in the proposal.
2. Project quality: the proposed activities are practical and effective, drawing on best
practice and research, and have a high likelihood of leading to achievement of the
project’s goals. Project goals are clear and attainable within the grant period.
3. Appropriate resources: the proposed resources (budget, staffing) are appropriate to carry
out this project and achieve project goals. The project budget and budget narrative
provide a clear explanation of how funds will be used to achieve grant goals.
4. Risk Assessment: the proposal provides evidence that the organization is aware of
barriers to clients accessing permanent housing and presents strategies to maximize the
chances of clients moving into and sustaining this housing.
5. Networks and Partnerships: the organization has developed relationships and networks
with key stakeholders (e.g., other providers, landlords, employers, funders) that help
strengthen the work of this program.
6. Effective Tracking: the proposal describes clear benchmarks to track clients’ progress
and outcomes, and strengthen the program over time.
7. Strong track record: for all applicants, the organization has a history of providing
effective services to homeless families with children and/or unaccompanied youth/young
adults (16-24). For current/prior HAFI grantees, the organization has effectively utilized
grant funds and achieved (or is on track to achieve) grant goals during the grant period.
HAFI FY18 Proposal
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Homeless Assistance Fund, Inc.
FY2018 Request for Proposals
Application Cover Page
Application Deadline: March 3, 2017
Organization Name:
Address:
________________
Phone:
Website:
Federal Tax ID:
Title of Project:
Purpose of Project (1-2 sentences):
Grant Request: $__
___
Total Organizational Budget: $ ________________
Number of clients to be assisted to move into permanent housing with HAFI grant ________
Primary Contact Person for
Program
Organizational Leader
Name
Title
Mailing
Address
Email
Phone
HAFI FY18 Proposal
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HOMELESS ASSISTANCE FUND, INC.
FY2018 Request for Proposals
Program Abstract:
Please provide a brief description (no more than ½ a page) of this program, including purpose,
major activities, target population to be served, and the number of clients to be assisted to move
into permanent housing with support from HAFI during the two year grant period.
HAFI FY18 Proposal
Page 5
Homeless Assistance Fund, Inc.
FY2018 Request for Proposals
Proposal Narrative
Organization Description
1. Please describe your organization, including mission and goals and provide an overview
of the range of services and supports the organization provides for individuals and/or
families experiencing homelessness.
Description of program for which HAFI funding is sought:
1. Please describe the program’s target population. What proportion of the program’s clients
is comprised of families and/or unaccompanied youth/young adults?
2. What outreach activities are conducted for this program? What is the intake process and
how is program eligibility determined? How will the program identify which clients will
be provided support (for instance for security deposits or furniture) from the HAFI grant?
3. What services are provided for clients and on average, for how long do clients participate
in this program? If the program or services have been modified over time to increase
effectiveness, please describe why changes were made and what those changes were, and
what has been the impact for your clients.
4. In what ways do the program’s design and service components address the specific
challenges and foster the strengths of your clients?
Transition to Permanent Housing:
1. What is the range of permanent housing options that clients typically access? How does
the program help clients identify affordable and safe permanent housing? What
challenges have been encountered in identifying permanent housing options, and what
actions has the program taken to address these challenges? What have been the results of
these actions?
2. To what extent does the program help clients increase their incomes so they can sustain
permanent housing? Please describe any program components, partnerships or referrals
that address income stability and (if appropriate) employment, including benefits access,
education and employment supports, child care supports, health care access (including
behavioral health) and job placement and retention.
HAFI FY18 Proposal
Page 6
3. Are clients able to access program services after they transition to permanent housing? If
yes, what percent of clients do so? What services are provided and for what period of
time after housing placement?
Partnerships
1. Pleases describe any formal or informal partnerships that are in place to strengthen your
program’s work with families, unaccompanied youth and/or young adults who are
experiencing homelessness and describe how these partnerships enhance the program’s
effectiveness.
Program Assessment
1. What specific information is collected to understand if program goals are being achieved?
What tools or systems are in place to support data collection? How specifically does
program leadership utilize data about the program’s effectiveness to understand the
program’s impact and challenges?
2. In the last fiscal year, what percentage of your clients who were experiencing
homelessness exited to permanent housing? Do you track clients’ long-term success in
sustaining permanent housing? If yes, how do you collect and analyze this information?
Of the clients exiting to permanent housing over the past two years, what percent have
sustained that housing and over what time period(s)?
Current/past experience with a HAFI grant
1. If your organization is a current grantee or has received a HAFI grant in the past, please
briefly describe the program supported with HAFI funds: list the goals of your current or
past grant, and detail what was achieved as compared to the grant goals. If grant goals
were not achieved, please discuss why not and how the organization has responded to
challenges.
HAFI FY18 Proposal
Page 7
HOMELESS ASSISTANCE FUND, INC.
FY2018 Request for Proposals
Program Budget
Budget Overview:
Expense Category
Amount Requested
for Year One
Amount Requested
for Year Two
Total Request
Direct Housing Costs
Staffing Costs (not to
exceed 40% of total grant
request)
TOTAL REQUEST:
Direct Housing Costs (detail):
Item:
Amount
Requested for
Year One
Amount
Requested for
Year Two
Total Request
Projected Cost
per Client (if
applicable):
Rental Assistance
Security Deposits
Utility Arrearages
Furniture or
household items
Furniture Bank
membership
Other (please
provide rationale in
budget narrative).
HAFI FY18 Proposal
Page 8
Staffing Costs (detail):
Item:
Year One
Request
Year Two
Request
Total Request
Salary/Fringe benefits (please
list staff names/roles in budget
narrative)
Conference support (please
provide description in budget
narrative)
HOMELESS ASSISTANCE FUND, INC.
FY2018 Request for Proposals
Budget Narrative
1. Describe how you determine the costs associated with moving each client into permanent
housing as listed in the direct housing costs chart (page 8).
2. If you are requesting support for “other” direct housing costs beyond those listed on the
budget form (page 8), describe your rationale for this request and how these additional
items will support achievement of the goals of this grant.
3. If you are requesting support for staff salary/fringe benefits, please list staff who would
be supported, and for each, list their role in the program, and total annual salary and
fringe benefits.
4. If you are requesting support for one staff member associated with the HAFI-supported
program to attend a regional or national conference annually, please provide information
on the conference(s) if known (conference title, sponsoring organization, and conference
location) and describe how conference attendance for this staff member will contribute to
the organization’s work with individuals/families experiencing homelessness.
HAFI FY18 Proposal
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HAFI FY18 Proposal
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