Low-Moderate Income Benefit

• At Least 90% of the funds expended must be used for activities that benefit low and moderate income persons.

Insurance

• All applicants at time of award and contract shall have in-place the following insurance requirements: General Liability in the amount of not less than $2,000,000 for personal injury to each person, $2,000,000 for each occurrence, and $1,000,000 for each occurrence involving property damages; or a single limit policy of not less than $4,000,000 covering all claims per occurrence and Workers Compensation.

DUNS Number

• All applicants shall obtain a Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS) number prior to contracting.

Equity & Non-Discrimination 

• The City of Salem’s policy is to assure that no person shall be discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion, color, sex, marital status, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and source of income, as provided by Salem Revised Code Chapter 97.  The City of Salem fully complies with title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and related statues and regulations, in all programs and activities.  The City of Salem is an equal opportunity employer. All projects must meet accessibility or adaptability standards (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973).
• Projects awarded federal funds are required to ensure that all persons are served equitably and that a person is not denied services because of their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, or mental or physical ability.
• The State of Oregon carries additional protections for persons experiencing discrimination based on a person's source of income (including Section 8 Voucher holders), marital status, age (if over the age of 18), sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Applicants must be prepared to establish, amend, or maintain program admissions, occupancy, and operating policies and procedures (including policies and procedures to protect individuals’ privacy and security), so that equal access is provided to individuals based on any of the above listed protected classes. This requirement includes tenant selection and admission preferences.
• Fair Housing is the right of all people to be free from discrimination in the rental, sale or financing of housing. Equal access to rental housing and home ownership opportunities, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status (the presence of children under 18) or disability, is the cornerstone of federal Fair Housing Policy. Local cities and counties that receive certain federal housing or community development funds have a role in affirmatively affirming Fair Housing.

For additional information regarding HUD accommodations requirements and fair housing law visit.

https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp

Conflict of Interests

The conflict of interest regulation at 24 CFR 570.611 is intended to protect the reputation of the CDBG/HOME programs from even the appearance of providing special treatment or serving a special interest. The City’s Federal Programs Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form will be completed by all application reviewers and applicants for federal funds.

Environmental Review

All program or project sponsors must obtain the appropriate level of environmental review as outlined in Federal regulations and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).  

The City of Salem, as the RE, is responsible for insuring that the each of the laws and authorities under the ER are complied with.  The Subrecipient is responsible for providing ALL NECESSARY information the City will need to make its determinations.  The Subrecipient will provide all needed information, documents, maps, studies, and even obtain environmental consultants if the City deems it necessary.

Federal funds will not be committed or expended until the environmental review is complete.

A Phase I Environmental Assessment conducted by a qualified firm/individual is required for all new construction projects & rehabilitation / acquisition projects $50,000 or greater in CDBG/HOME resources. Applicant will submit Phase I with the application or within 90 days of the award notification.

 SDC Waivers

All affordable housing construction projects receiving Federal funds are eligible to request a waiver of all SDCs in accordance with Salem Revised Code Section 41.150(d)(e).  Requests must be submitted in writing to the Federal Programs Manager. 

Labor Requirements

Construction or rehabilitation projects may require Department of Labor (Davis Bacon Act) prevailing wages be paid to contractors and subcontractors. 

CDBG (Commercial and public facility rehabilitation projects over $2,000; Housing projects with 8 or more housing units.)

HOME (Projects with 12 or more HOME assisted units.)

ANY EXPENSES INCURRED PRIOR TO FUNDING AWARD/APPROVAL ARE INELIGIBLE AND WILL NOT BE REIMBURSED.

MILEAGE IS NOT REIMBURSABLE.

If the program is eligible for administrative reimbursement (staff costs) no more than 10% of the total award will be allowed.

Successful applicants will be required to execute an agreement with the City and provide insurance coverage prior to receiving funding.

Funding priority will be given to applications addressing affordable housing needs in the Neighborhood Revitalization Stabilization Area (NRSA).

Performance Measurement
Organizations receiving federal funding are required to report project/program outputs and outcomes on a quarterly basis. These outputs and outcomes will be reviewed with the projected number served in this application and/or the number determined at the time of award.

Goals should be attainable and should achieve measurable results. When determining the anticipated number of individuals or households receiving a benefit, be conservative and realistic.

Applicant Eligibility
Applicants organizations must be either:
1) a public agency (e.g., a City department)
2) a non-profit entity with current 501(c)3) status, or
3) a for-profit agency who shares the same goals and vision outlined in the 2015-2019 Housing and Community Development Consolidated Plan.

Applicants must be able to document the organization has the capacity, as determined by the City, to complete the project/program.

Application submittal must be approved by the applicant/agency’s board of directors (if applicable) and all documents signed by an authorized representative. This application provides an example of a resolution that may be used.

Project/Program Eligibility
Projects/programs must be located and serve individuals or households living within the City limits of Salem.

Funds may not be used for ineligible items defined under the federal regulatory guidelines. Examples include but are not limited to reducing existing budget deficits, educational scholarships, entertainment, lobbying expenses, and indirect or general agency administrative costs.

In some instances funds may be used to reimburse staff costs associated with the funded program. Reimbursable staff costs include salary, taxes, and fringe benefits only, excluding any contribution to a retirement plan. The City is unable to reimburse vacation, holiday or sick hours paid by the employer.