The consolidated RFP will focus on creating affordable housing opportunities throughout the District with a special charge to developers to produce permanent supportive housing units for special needs populations.
WASHINGTON, DC – April 17, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), Department of Human Services (DHS), DC Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA), and DC Housing Authority (DCHA) issued the 2014 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) today. The NOFA is an opportunity for developers to submit proposals that outline development opportunities for senior housing, homeownership, mixed-income communities, transit-oriented development and new construction, and preservation of affordable housing units affected by expiring federal subsidies.
“We have 1,100 new residents moving into this city each month, which is why I have committed $287 million to ensure that our new and long-term residents continue to have safe and affordable housing,” said DC Mayor Vincent C. Gray. “I would like to applaud our agencies for working together on the 2014 NOFA to ensure that we continue to make these important investments in building and maintaining our vibrant and diverse neighborhoods for residents of all ages, demographics and income levels.”
“We have done a lot leading up to this day, from revamping the underwriting process to holding capacity building workshops to educate developers, contractors and lenders on this consolidated Request for Proposals (RFP). Our partnership with DOH, DBH, DHS, DCHFA and DCHA proved to be a great success during the 2013 NOFA and we hope to build on that success this year,” said DHCD Director Michael P. Kelly. “The NOFA plays a critical role in sustaining and producing affordable housing throughout the city. Between 2011 and early March 2014, 5,122 affordable housing units have been completed or are currently under construction in the District of Columbia. This puts the city more than halfway to the Mayor’s ‘10×20’ goal, calling for the creation or preservation of 10,000 affordable housing units by the year 2020.”
“DHS congratulates DHCD on their leadership efforts to increase affordable housing options for residents of the District.
We support the positive changes implemented with the NOFA process this past year, and look forward to continued collaboration and future successes,” said DHS Director David Berns.
This year, for the first time, the NOFA will require that all project proposals set aside 5% of its proposed units for Permanent Supportive Housing. This is considered a national best practice, exercised by only a few other jurisdictions and it will enable the city to meet the goals and objectives established by the Interagency Council on Homelessness.
DHCD remains focused on streamlining processes. The faster the NOFA panel can review submissions, underwrite them, and fund them, the sooner developers can break ground, cut the ribbon and get residents moved in.
“The commitment to provide housing opportunities to residents with the most critical needs speaks directly to the mission of DHCD and to the Mayor’s vision of creating an economically inclusive city,” said DHCD Director Kelly.
“We expect another 100 residents with mental illness will have new homes as a result of this partnership,” said DBH Director Stephen T. Baron. “This will make a real difference in their quality of
“The D.C. Housing Authority is committed to expanding affordable housing and to that end we are providing subsidies to help 450 low-income households find a home in the District of Columbia through this Request for Proposals. We are pleased to partner with our sister agencies again this year,” said DCHA Executive Director Adrianne Todman.
The 2014 NOFA will have two tiers: Tier One will be the projects that have firmly secured their primary financing, received letters of commitment, and can be expedited through the approval process; Tier Two is for projects that meet the threshold eligibility requirements but that do not necessarily have all of their primary financing secured.
“The DC Housing Finance Agency provides low cost debt and access to equity for the production and preservation of affordable housing in the District. We are proud to partner with our sister housing and human services agencies to make the District a city that is inclusive and affordable.” DCHFA Interim Executive Director, Maria K. Day-Marshall.
The 2014 NOFA can be found on DHCD’s website, www.dhcd.dc.gov. Media seeking interviews with the DHCD Director Kelly, partner agencies or the DHCD spokesperson should coordinate with the media contact, listed above, as soon as possible.
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The mission of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is to create and preserve opportunities for affordable housing and economic development and to revitalize underserved communities in the District of Columbia.
MEDIA CONTACT Marcus A. Williams | Public Information Officer/Communications Director
(P) 202-442-7253 (E-mail)
