RFP: Funding Opportunity: Emergency Housing Supportive Services FY26

 

Description

The Housing Authority of Champaign County (HACC) is a public housing agency that administers housing assistance and related programs for low- and moderate-income households in Champaign County. HACC operates as a HUD-designated Moving to Work (MTW) agency and partners with community organizations to support housing stability and prevent homelessness.

Emergency Housing Supportive Services 

 The Emergency Housing Supportive Services funding opportunity provides supportive services that assist households experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of housing loss. The purpose of the funding opportunity is to support housing stabilization, reduce housing instability, and improve long-term housing outcomes. Funding will be awarded through a competitive Request for Proposals process.

Proposal Submission Deadline:
Monday, March 30th, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (local time)

Email proposal to Manager of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Jahlinea Cekander

Jahlineac@hacc.net

217-378-7100 ext. 5059

Minimum Award Amount (Floor):
$50,000

Maximum Award Amount (Ceiling):
$500,000

Role of HACC: 

·         HACC will act as the administrator and will:

·         Issue and manage the RFP and agreements

·         Establish program requirements and performance expectations

·         Monitor program compliance, outcomes, and expenditures

·         Provide oversight and coordination with funded providers

 

Role of Organization

The awarded organization(s) will be responsible for providing supportive housing services in the form of direct financial assistance to eligible households, including:

·         Short and/or long-term rental assistance for a minimum of six (6) months and up to eight (8) months

·         Assistance with security deposits

·         Assistance with application and related move-in fees

·         Maintain accurate records of households served and funds expended for proper reimbursement

·         Submit required programmatic and financial reports

The organization will coordinate assistance in accordance with HACC program requirements, maintain appropriate documentation, track expenditures and outcomes, and submit required programmatic and financial reports. All assistance must be provided in compliance with applicable funding, contractual, and regulatory requirements.

Master Plan

This project aligns with HACC's Moving to Work (MTW) initiatives and broader housing stability objectives. The Emergency Housing Supportive Services program supports HACC's goal of preventing homelessness and promoting housing stability through short-term financial assistance and strategic partnerships with community-based organizations.

Project Funding

Funding for this project is provided through HACC's Moving to Work (MTW) block grant and/or other available funding sources. Awards made under this RFP shall be no less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) and shall not exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) per award.

HACC anticipates awarding multiple contracts under this RFP. Funding levels are contingent upon availability of funds, satisfactory performance, and compliance with all program and contractual requirements. HACC reserves the right to negotiate award amounts and scope of work prior to final contract execution.

General Overview

HACC is soliciting proposals from qualified organizations to provide Emergency Housing Supportive Services in the form of short-term rental assistance and move-in cost assistance. The program is intended to assist households experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of housing loss to obtain and maintain stable housing. Proposed budgets may include allowable costs for personnel and capital improvements necessary to carry out program activities, subject to HACC approval and compliance with applicable funding requirements.

Proposals must demonstrate alignment with HACC's housing stability and community revitalization objectives. Activities funded under this RFP are intended to support broader efforts to prevent homelessness, stabilize households, and strengthen communities through targeted housing assistance.

Proposers should describe how their proposed services support neighborhood stability, housing retention, and improved outcomes for households experiencing housing insecurity, consistent with HACC's MTW goals and local housing priorities.

Statement of Work: The selected organization(s) may:

·         Provide short-term rental assistance for a minimum of three (3) months and up to eight (8) months

·         Provide assistance with security deposits

·         Provide assistance with application and related move-in fees

·         Coordinate assistance in accordance with HACC requirements

·         Propose innovative or flexible approaches to addressing homelessness and housing instability, including but not limited to emergency shelter operations, transitional housing models, housing navigation services, or other interventions designed to stabilize and transition homeless households into permanent housing 

Submission Requirements: Proposals must include all required documents and information outlined in this RFP and must be submitted by the deadline specified

Description of each submission requirement: 

At a minimum, proposals must include:

·         Cover sheet and organizational information

·         Narrative describing proposed approach and capacity

·         Description of experience providing rental assistance or housing stabilization services

·         Proposed budget and budget narrative demonstrating anticipated target population

·         Proof of required licenses, insurance, and good standing

·         Any additional documents specified in this RFP

·         Proposal should not exceed more than five (5) pages.

Incomplete submissions may be deemed non-responsive.

Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated based on, but not limited to, the following criteria:

·         Organizational experience and capacity

·         Understanding of the project and proposed approach

·         Ability to administer rental and move-in assistance

·         Fiscal accountability and budget reasonableness

·         Past performance and compliance history

Selection Process: 

HACC will review and evaluate all responsive proposals. HACC reserves the right to:

·         Request additional information or clarification

·         Negotiate scope or budget

·         Award to one or multiple proposers

·         Reject any or all proposals

Final selection is subject to approval by HACC Board of Commissioners

Pre-Proposal Conference

A pre-proposal conference may be held to review RFP requirements and respond to questions. Attendance may be optional or mandatory as specified in this RFP. Details will be provided in the RFP schedule.

Selection Committee

Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee designated by HACC. Committee members may include HACC staff and other individuals with relevant expertise. All evaluations will be conducted in accordance with HACC procurement policies.

Interpretation

Interpretation of this RFP shall rest solely with HACC. Any questions regarding this RFP must be submitted in writing by the deadline identified. Only written responses issued by HACC shall be considered official.