Notice_of_Availability_of_State_and_Federal_Funds Notice of Availability of State and Federal Funds

11/12/08 N.Y. St. Reg. Notice of Availability of State and Federal Funds

NEW YORK STATE REGISTER

VOLUME XXX, ISSUE 46

November 12, 2008

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDS

 

OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY

1220 Washington Avenue State Office Building Campus, Bldg. 7A Albany, NY 12242

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

State Homeland Security Program (SHSP)

OHS is soliciting applications for federal State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) funding made available for the State's Expanded Regionalization Exercise Program. Funds will be awarded to local governments for the purpose of expanding regional preparedness capabilities of first responders to respond to major terrorist events and/or natural disasters. The intention of these grants is to promote and improve regional response through exercises and to measure regional preparedness.

Applications will be accepted through 5:00 pm November 21, 2008. For an application and instructions, contact: Louis A. Valenti, at the above address, [e-mail], 1-866-837-9133

HOUSING TRUST FUND CORPORATION

Hampton Plaza 38-40 State Street Albany, NY 12207

PERSONS/FIRMS THAT CONSTRUCT AND/OR REHABILITATE HOUSING FOR LOW INCOME PERSONS/HOUSEHOLDS

Funding for not-for-profit entities, for-profit entities and municipalities under the Housing Trust Fund Program, the New York State HOME Program, the Urban Initiatives Program, and the Rural Area Revitalization Projects Program

Description: Compact disks (CDs) containing Request For Proposals (RFP)/Application packages for site-specific project applications will be available beginning November 12, 2008. Applications for site-specific projects funded under the HOME and/or the Housing Trust Fund Programs, Urban Initiatives Program, or Rural Area Revitalization Projects Program may be submitted using the Community Development Online (CDOL) System. Applicants may make a special request, based on demonstrated need, for DHCR approval to utilize a Word/Excel fillable paper application in lieu of CDOL. Requests must be in writing and received not later than January 12, 2009. Urban Initiatives and Rural Area Revitalization Projects Programs funding requested under this Notice may only be requested in conjunction with one or more Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC) or Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) capital project funding sources. NOTE: A SEPARATE NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY FOR HOME LOCAL PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR (LPA) APPLICATIONS IS EXPECTED TO BE ISSUED AT A LATER DATE. Applicants are responsible for using the proper application for funding. Applications will be available from the DHCR web site. THE 2009 APPLICATION IS expected to be available on the DHCR website, www.nysdhcr.gov, BY DECEMBER 1, 2008. Site-specific application workshops will be held during the month of November 2008 in Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse, and New York City.

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

• Applications for HOME and Housing Trust Fund site-specific project funding (except for those accepted on a continuous basis) must be received by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation by 5:00 PM, Wednesday, February 11, 2009

For those applicants with prior approval to submit a Housing Trust Fund Corporation paper application, applications will be accepted only at the following address:

NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal Hampton Plaza - 6th Floor 38-40 State Street Albany, NY 12207

Individuals who hand deliver site-specific paper applications must have picture identification and a transmittal letter, on organization letterhead, stating their name and authorizing that person to deliver the application. Applications delivered by commercial carrier must have a complete and legible return address. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in an application not being accepted.

Unified Funding 2009 Funds Available:

• The New York State HOME Program expects to have approximately $34 million, subject to the availability of appropriations.

Note: A minimum of 15 percent of available funds is required to be reserved for projects developed, owned, or sponsored by Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs). Not-for-profit applicants who wish to pursue pre-qualification by the HTFC as a CHDO should contact the appropriate Regional Office listed below. The New York State HOME Program also allocates a minimum of 80 percent of the funds available (after the 15 percent reserved for CHDOs) to projects located in non-participating jurisdictions.

• Based on historic levels of appropriation, HTFC expects to have a minimum of $29 million in HTF available.

Open Window Funds Available: Continuously Accepted Applications

• Seed Money loans of up to $45,000 per project from either the HOME (CHDOs only) or the Housing Trust Fund (not-for- profit organizations only) Programs are available. Seed Money applications may be submitted at any time to the appropriate Regional Office listed herein.

General:

Project based Section 8 voucher assistance may be available state-wide for project applications that request funding from one of the funding sources listed in this Notice of Funding Availability. Applications requesting voucher assistance will be referred to the Division of Housing and Community Renewal for consideration.

The Housing Trust Fund Corporation reserves the right to award all, a portion of, or none of the program funds based upon funding availability, the feasibility of the applications received, the competitiveness of the applications and the applicant's ability to meet Housing Trust Fund Corporation criteria for funding.

Applications are selected for funding based upon an evaluation process which includes completeness, eligibility, competitiveness, feasibility reviews and recommendations as detailed in the RFP/application packet. Selections are also made in compliance with all pertinent statutory requirements and furtherance of the State's housing goals, including but not limited to: preservation of affordable housing; community revitalization; green building technologies and practices; and collaboration with other governmental agencies.

The RFP to be issued is part of the Unified Funding application packet. Applicants should refer to the RFP to determine eligibility requirements for each program.

In accordance with Section 312 of Article 15 A of the Executive Law, HTFC requires contractors and awardees to make affirmative efforts to ensure that New York State certified Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises have opportunities for meaningful participation on projects awarded funding by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation.

Application Workshops:

Project application workshops will be conducted at the following times and locations:

Syracuse Wednesday, November 12th at 10:00 AM Onondaga County Public Library The Curtain Auditorium 447 S. Salina Street Syracuse, NY

Buffalo Thursday, November 13th at 10:15 AM Holiday Inn Express 601 Dingens Street Buffalo, NY

Capital District Tuesday, November 18th at 10:00 AM Hampton Plaza Ballroom 38-40 State Street Albany, NY

New York City Thursday, November 20th at 10:30 AM NYC Regional Office, Room 510 25 Beaver Street New York, NY

Compact disks containing application materials will be available starting one half-hour before each workshop. Materials will also be available on the DHCR web site (http://www.nysdhcr.gov) beginning on November 12, 2008.

The workshops will include a discussion of project application requirements and the Unified Funding process. A workshop agenda will be posted on the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal web site (see above) by November 10, 2008. Interested parties should refer to the web site to familiarize themselves with the agenda items.

Meetings for technical assistance may be scheduled through the staff of one of the Regional Offices listed below to provide applicants with an opportunity to discuss a project or program application. Regional and Central Office staff will also be available by phone, email or in person (schedule permitting) to answer applicant questions. All staff will be available from November 24, 2008 through the application due date.

Regional Offices:

For a CD containing the site specific application and/or technical assistance for all application preparation, contact one of the Regional Offices listed below:

Capital District Regional Office Hampton Plaza, 2nd Floor 38-40 State Street Albany, NY 12207 Telephone: [phone] Lynn Kopka, Regional Director

Buffalo Regional Office Suite 105 535 Washington Street Buffalo, NY 14203 Telephone: [phone] Thomas H. Van Nortwick, Regional Director

Syracuse Regional Office 620 Erie Boulevard West, Suite 312 Syracuse, NY 13204 Telephone: [phone], ext. 200 Daniel Buyer, Regional Director

New York City Regional Office 25 Beaver St., 7th Floor New York, NY 10004 Telephone: [phone] Gregory Watson, Regional Director

DIVISION OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL

Hampton Plaza 38-40 State Street Albany, NY 12207

PERSONS/FIRMS THAT CONSTRUCT AND/OR REHABILITATE RENTAL HOUSING FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS

Tax credit available under the Low-Income Housing Credit Program

Description: The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) announces the availability of tax credit under the Low-Income Housing Credit Program (LIHC) which is authorized under Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code. Request For Proposals (RFP)/Application packages for site-specific project applications will be available beginning November 12, 2008. DHCR expects to have approximately $25 million available for Credit Reservations. The maximum annual tax credit allocation per unit that may be requested is $22,000. The maximum annual tax credit allocation per project that may be requested is $1.43 million. Applicants requesting LIHC for projects in which 50% or more of the units will serve, a) large families or b) persons with special needs and who will also provide services to the targeted population(s) as evidenced by a comprehensive service plan and agreement in writing with an experienced service provider, may request up to $1.65 million. Of the $25 million available, up to $2.2 million may be set aside for Supportive Housing Projects, up to $3.3 million may be set aside for Preservation Projects and no more than $1 million may be set aside for High Acquisition Cost Projects as these terms are defined in DHCR's Low-Income Housing Credit Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP). DHCR reserves the right to allocate all, a portion of, or none of the 2009 and 2010 credit based upon LIHC availability, the competitiveness of the applications received, the applicant's ability to meet DHCR criteria for funding and the applicant's ability to further the State's housing goals, including but not limited to: preservation of affordable housing; community revitalization; green building technologies and practices; and collaboration with other governmental agencies. Compact disks (CDs) containing application materials will be available at application workshops, at DHCR Regional Offices, and the materials will be on the DHCR web site. THE 2009 Community Development Online (CDOL) System APPLICATION IS expected to be available on the DHCR website, www.nysdhcr.gov, BY DECEMBER 1, 2008. Applicants may make a special request, based on demonstrated need, for DHCR approval to utilize a Word/Excel fillable paper application in lieu of CDOL. Requests must be in writing and received not later than January 12, 2009. Applicants are responsible for using the proper application when applying for funding. LIHC applications must be received by DHCR by 5:00 p.m., February 11, 2009.

For those applicants with prior approval to submit a Housing Trust Fund Corporation paper application, applications will be accepted only at the following address:

NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal Low-Income Housing Credit Program Hampton Plaza - 6th Floor 38-40 State Street Albany, New York 12207

NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS DATE OR AT OTHER LOCATIONS

Individuals who hand deliver applications must have picture identification and a transmittal letter, on organization letterhead, stating their name and authorizing that person to deliver the application. Applications delivered by commercial carrier must have a complete and legible return address. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in an application not being accepted.

Applicants should also be aware of the following:

• Persons/firms that construct and/or rehabilitate rental housing that is reserved for low-income households may apply for LIHC. The LIHC amount is based upon the actual cost of acquisition, rehabilitation and/or construction of rental properties for low-income households.

• Applications will be evaluated in accordance with the threshold and selection criteria contained in DHCR's QAP.

• Applications submitted in response to the NYS Housing Trust Fund Corporation Notice of Funding Availability issued concurrently with this Notice of Credit Availability (NOCA) which include a request for Credit will be reviewed by DHCR under this NOCA.

• An application fee of $2,000 is due at time of application. Not-for-profit applicants (or their wholly-owned subsidiaries) which will be the sole general partner of the partnership/project owner or the sole managing member of the limited liability company/project owner may request a deferral of payment until credit allocation.

• Notices of award for applications submitted under this NOCA are expected to be mailed during the month of June 2009.

Application Workshops:

Project application workshops will be conducted at the following times and locations:

Syracuse Wednesday, November 12th at 10:00 AM Onondaga County Public Library The Curtain Auditorium 447 S. Salina Street Syracuse, NY

Buffalo Thursday, November 13th at 10:15 AM Holiday Inn Express 601 Dingens Street Buffalo, NY

Capital District Tuesday, November 18th at 10:00 AM Hampton Plaza Ballroom 38-40 State Street Albany, NY

New York City Thursday, November 20th at 10:30 AM NYC Regional Office, Room 510 25 Beaver Street New York, NY

Compact disks containing application materials will be available starting one half-hour before each workshop. Materials will also be available on the DHCR web site (http://www.nysdhcr.gov) beginning on November 12, 2008.

The workshops will include a discussion of project application requirements and the Unified Funding process. A workshop agenda will be posted on the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal web site (see above) by November 10, 2008. Interested parties should refer to the web site to familiarize themselves with the agenda items.

For additional information, please contact one of the DHCR Regional Offices shown below or visit our website.

Capital District Regional Office NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal Lynn Kopka, Regional Director Hampton Plaza, 2nd Floor 38-40 State Street Albany, New York 12207 [phone]

Buffalo Regional Office NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal Thomas H. Van Nortwick, Regional Director 535 Washington Street, Suite 105 Buffalo, New York 14203 [phone]

Syracuse Regional Office NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal Daniel Buyer, Regional Director 620 Erie Boulevard West, Suite 312 Syracuse, New York 13204 [phone]

New York City Regional Office NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal Gregory Watson, Regional Director 25 Beaver Street, 7th Floor New York, New York 10004 [phone]

DIVISION OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL

Hampton Plaza 38-40 State Street Albany, NY 12207

PERSONS/FIRMS THAT CONSTRUCT AND/OR REHABILITATE RENTAL HOUSING FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS

Tax credit available under the New York State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program

Description: The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) announces the availability of New York State tax credit under the New York State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program (SLIHC or State Tax Credit) which is authorized under Article 2-A of the Public Housing Law. Request For Proposals (RFP)/Application packages for site-specific project applications will be available beginning November 12, 2008. DHCR expects to have approximately $4 million available for SLIHC reservations. The maximum annual State Tax Credit allocation per unit that may be requested is $20,000. The maximum annual State Tax Credit allocation per project that may be requested is $750,000. DHCR reserves the right to allocate all, a portion of, or none of the anticipated 2009 State Tax Credit based upon SLIHC availability, the competitiveness of the applications received, the applicant's ability to meet DHCR criteria for funding and the applicant's ability to further the State's housing goals, including but not limited to: preservation of affordable housing; community revitalization; green building technologies and practices; and collaboration with other governmental agencies. Compact disks (CDs) containing application materials will be available at application workshops, at DHCR Regional Offices, and the materials will be on the DHCR web site. THE 2009 Community Development Online (CDOL) System APPLICATION IS expected to be available on the DHCR website, www.nysdhcr.gov, BY DECEMBER 1, 2008. Applicants may make a special request, based on demonstrated need, for DHCR approval to utilize a Word/Excel fillable paper application in lieu of CDOL. Requests must be in writing and received not later than January 12, 2009. Applicants are responsible for using the proper application when applying for funding. Applications which include requests for SLIHC along with requests for assistance through one of the programs available through DHCR's Unified Funding 2009 process must be received by DHCR by 5:00 PM, February 11, 2009.

Applications requesting SLIHC only will be accepted continuously until further notice.

For those applicants with prior approval to submit a Housing Trust Fund Corporation paper application, applications will be accepted only at the following address:

NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal NYS Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program Hampton Plaza - 6th Floor 38-40 State Street Albany, New York 12207

NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS DATE OR AT OTHER LOCATIONS

Individuals who hand deliver applications must have picture identification and a transmittal letter, on organization letterhead, stating their name and authorizing that person to deliver the application. Applications delivered by commercial carrier must have a complete and legible return address. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in an application not being accepted.

Applicants should also be aware of the following:

• Persons/firms that construct and/or rehabilitate rental housing that is reserved for households with incomes up to 90% of area median income may apply for State Tax Credit. For projects which do not include federal tax credit under the Low-Income Housing Credit Program, no more than 40% of the units assisted by SLIHC can serve households with incomes at or below 60% of area median income. The SLIHC amount is based upon the actual cost of acquisition, rehabilitation and/or construction of rental properties for low-income households.

• Prospective applicants interested in applying for an allocation of State Tax Credit should review DHCR's Low-Income Housing Credit Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) and the NYS Low Income Housing Tax Credit Regulations, 9 NYCRR Part 2040.14 (the Regulations) as described below. The QAP contains program definitions, the State Tax Credit allocation process, threshold selection criteria, underwriting standards and project compliance monitoring requirements. The Regulations contain definitions, scoring and selection criteria.

• Applications are evaluated in accordance with the threshold criteria in DHCR's QAP and selection criteria contained in the Regulations.

• An application fee of $2,000 is due at time of application. Not-for-profit applicants (or their wholly-owned subsidiaries) which will be the sole general partner of the partnership/project owner or the sole managing member of the limited liability company/project owner may request a deferral of payment until credit allocation.

• Applications submitted in response to the NYS Housing Trust Fund Corporation Notice of Funding Availability or the federal Low-Income Housing Credit Program Notice of Credit Availability which also include a request for SLIHC will be reviewed by DHCR under this NOCA.

Application Workshops:

Project application workshops will be conducted at the following times and locations:

Syracuse Wednesday, November 12th at 10:00 AM Onondaga County Public Library The Curtain Auditorium 447 S. Salina Street Syracuse, NY

Buffalo Thursday, November 13th at 10:15 AM Holiday Inn Express 601 Dingens Street Buffalo, NY

Capital District Tuesday, November 18th at 10:00 AM Hampton Plaza Ballroom 38-40 State Street Albany, NY

New York City Thursday, November 20th at 10:30 AM NYC Regional Office, Room 510 25 Beaver Street New York, NY

Compact disks containing application materials will be available starting one half-hour before each workshop. Materials will also be available on the DHCR web site (http://www.nysdhcr.gov) beginning on November 12, 2008.

The workshops will include a discussion of project application requirements and the Unified Funding process. A workshop agenda will be posted on the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal web site (see above) by November 10, 2008. Interested parties should refer to the web site to familiarize themselves with the agenda items.

For additional information, please contact one of the DHCR Regional Offices shown below or visit our website.

Capital District Regional Office NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal Lynn Kopka, Regional Director Hampton Plaza, 2nd Floor 38-40 State Street Albany, New York 12207 [phone]

Buffalo Regional Office NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal Thomas H. Van Nortwick, Regional Director 535 Washington Street, Suite 105 Buffalo, New York 14203 [phone]

Syracuse Regional Office NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal Daniel Buyer, Regional Director 620 Erie Boulevard West, Suite 312 Syracuse, New York 13204 [phone]

New York City Regional Office NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal Gregory Watson, Regional Director 25 Beaver Street, 7th Floor New York, New York 10004 [phone]