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Miami-Dade County Department of Housing and Community Development
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Special Economic Development (SPED) RFA 12/31/2026 - Organizations Only	Apply Preview
Surtax/SHIP - Homeownership Development Program RFA 3/2/2027 - Organizations Only	Apply Preview


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Miami-Dade County Department of Housing and Community Development

2026 SHIP-Homebuyer Education & Counseling

CLOSED Deadline 2/25/2026

View Open Programs | Hide Introduction Hide Submission Guidelines Hide Minimum Threshold Requirements Hide Library Show Contact Admin

Introduction [hide this]

Introduction

Miami-Dade County, through the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is soliciting applications under this Request for Application (RFA) process to fund Homebuyer Education and Counseling activities with State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds.

Applicants that are qualified U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved counseling agencies, with a demonstrated ability to provide educational and counseling services to prospective homebuyers are encouraged to apply. Proof of HUD approval must be provided at the time of application to be considered for funding.

This RFA is seeking applications to address homebuyer education and counseling needs countywide, with funding amounts listed below. The maximum amount that applicants may request is $200,000. In the event a previously awarded applicant/entity has not spent prior year(s) SHIP funds, the applicant/entity may not be recommended for a full funding allocation in this RFA. Applicants who are subject to this scenario and submits an application that rank and score for funding may be recommended for funding based on the max award minus the prior year(s) award available draw balance at the close of this RFA.

Please note points that will only be awarded when supporting documentation outlined in the Application Checklist is both accurately labeled and attached to your electronic application. Points will not be awarded in cases where supporting documentation is inaccurately labeled or missing.

Eligible Program Activity	SHIP Total Funding Amount Available
Homebuyer Education and Counseling	$1,200,000.00

NOTE: In the event that two or more applications receive the same score, and funds are not available to fund the applications fully, HCD may make allocation recommendations for those applications for less than what was requested in those applications.

Submission Guidelines [hide this]

General Requirements

If you have an ADA related issue, need to request an accommodation for a program or service, or need information provided in an accessible format, please contact HCD ADA Coordinator to make a request:
ADA Coordinator
ada.coordinator@miamidade.gov
786-469-2155

Submission Guidelines (specific to this program)

Submission Guidelines

Applicants must submit an Online Application using our grants management system, ZoomGrants. A direct access link will be available on HCD’s webpage. Each entity may only submit one application, which may provide multiple service locations within Miami-Dade County.

The activity must be located in Miami-Dade County for applicants with multiple service locations.

All proposals must be submitted in the legal name of the limited partnership, corporation, or entity.

Applicants must score minimum of 70 points to be considered for a funding recommendation.

Applicants must upload all affidavits, supporting and evidence documents to meet threshold requirements.

Points will only be awarded when supporting documentation outlined in the Application Checklist is attached to your electronic application. If supporting documentation is too large to upload, applicant may upload attachments in multiple submissions.

Points will only be awarded when requisite supporting documentation is provided for corresponding questions.

Supporting documentation must be uploaded as attachments. Applicants must use a cover sheet identifying EACH attachment separately.

Coversheets must be accurately labeled, match attached documentation AND corresponding questions. Points will not be awarded in cases where supporting documentation is inaccurately labeled or uploaded and/or attached to the wrong question.

Scoring Committee members will review and score all questions separately and ONLY consider documentation that has been correctly uploaded and labeled for specified corresponding questions.

For purposes of this RFA, the application period is February 04, 2026 through February 25, 2026, 11:59 PM eastern standard time. The grants management system will not allow applicants to apply after the application deadline. The Clerk of Courts will not receive accompanying supporting documentation after the application deadline.

Faxed applications will not be accepted. Electronic links, ie documents submited in a dropbox will not be accepted.

Applications must comply with all requirements of this RFA. Applications that are incomplete or have deficiencies and or errors will be submitted to the County Attorney’s Office for legal review and determination of responsiveness.

No changes or additions to applications will be accepted after the application deadline.

Applications for this RFA will not be accepted anywhere other than the online grants management system.

Applications not submitted using the online grants management system WILL NOT be scored.

Miami-Dade County will not fund an entity or an affiliate with outstanding defaulted loans, debarment actions or any other legal encumbrances with the County, State of Florida, or Federal programs regardless of the merits of the submitted proposal.

An applicant may be disqualified from consideration for funding in this RFA based on poor performance or non-compliance on any other projects with HCD.

HCD will adhere to compliance guidelines pursuant to Resolution No. R-630-13 approved by the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners on July 16, 2013, requiring HCD to complete and report a Due Diligence investigation on all applicants using the Due Diligence Checklist. Unless expressly authorized by the County Mayor or the Mayor’s designee (Resolution No. 630-13, Section 3), any entity NOT clearing the Due Diligence Investigation will NOT be recommended to the Board for funding.

Minimum Threshold Requirements [hide this]

Minimum Threshold Requirements

The Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is soliciting applications for Homebuyer Education and Counseling services from qualified U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved agencies. Applicants with a demonstrated ability to provide educational and counseling services to prospective homebuyers are encouraged to apply. Proof of HUD approval must be provided at the time of application to be considered for funding. Education and Counseling services must include the following topics:

Financing
Fair housing practices
Credit counseling
Budget and money management
Financial literacy
Selecting a neighborhood (schools, employment, transportation)
How to find a home
Negotiating a purchase price
Home maintenance
Mortgage approval process
Post-closing education and counseling
The importance of the housing inspections and repairs
Foreclosure prevention counseling
Special mortgage programs provided by private sector lenders and Miami-Dade County to assist first-time home buyers, persons with special needs, and those that will qualify by income

Minimum Threshold Requirements

Applicant/Agency must provide a detailed budget.
Applicant/Agency must provide a detailed scope of services.
Applicant/Agency must provide a site control information (e.g. lease, MOU, deed, etc.).
Applicant/Agency must provide a comprehensive training curriculum.
Applicant/Agency must be a HUD approved Homebuyer Education and Counseling Agency.
All counselors providing Homebuyer Education and Counseling training must be HUD certified. Proof of certification must be included in the application; OR If the applicant/agency is participating with a HUD approved intermediary, documentation must be provided, to include:

- A printout verifying that the national or regional intermediary is on the list of HUD approved housing counseling agencies;
- A printout verifying that the applicant/entity is listed as an affiliate or branch that is connected to the intermediary;
- A copy of a fully executed agreement between the parties, including all attachments;
- Other verification of the connection of the applicant/entity and the intermediary, and any parent organizations; and
- A HUD-certified counseling agency certificate.

Online homebuyer education and counseling courses are permitted when provided by a HUD approved counseling agency.

Library [hide this]

Description	File Name	Date Uploaded	File Type
Map showing North, Central, and South Regions of Miami-Dade County	EligibleBGsRankedbyVulnerability36X60May12024.pdf	1/21/2026 8:53:49 AM	PDF

$ 0.00 requested

Application Status: Not Submitted

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Application Completion [hide this]
By entering your initials here you certify this submission truthfully and accurately represents your application and is hereby submitted for review. Submission of this application does not, in any way, guarantee that your application will yield a favorable result. Submission of this application also indicates your agreement to the terms of using ZoomGrants™. * APPLICATION DISCLAIMER * Updates to this RFA will be posted on the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) website. Applicants should periodically check the website for potential changes in funding availability, submission dates or requirements: https://www.miamidade.gov/global/housing/requests.page Miami-Dade County and its Department of Housing and Community Development does not discriminate based on race, sex, color, religion, marital status, national origin, disability, ancestry, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy or familial status in the access to, admissions to, or employment in, housing programs or activities. If you need a sign language interpreter or materials in accessible format for this event, call 786-469-2155 at least five days in advance. TDD/TTY users may contact the Florida Relay Service at 800-955-8771.	Some fields are still empty... Initials
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Application Summary Application Questions Budget Documents

Application Summary

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Instructions Show/Hide

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Please note points will only be awarded when supporting documentation outlined in the Application Checklist is both accurately labeled and attached to your electronic application. Points will not be awarded in cases where supporting documentation is inaccurately labeled and/or attached to the wrong question.

ALL DOCUMENTS MUST HAVE A COVER SHEET AND PAGE NUMBERS

ALL items labeled REQUIRED in the checklist must be included with your application submission

Document	Required	Attachment Number
Certification of Accuracy	Required	Attachment 1
RFA Submittal Certification	Required	Attachment 2
Due Diligence Affidavit	Required	Attachment 3
Site Control Documentation: Site control documentation (e.g., recorded title, executed lease, firm purchase contract, option-to-purchase, or local government resolution) for the site(s) proposed for funding.	Required	Attachment 4
Tax Exempt Status Letter - Evidence of not-for–profit status.	Only If Applicable	Attachment 5
IRS 990 - Description of not-for-profit status.	Required	Attachment 6
W-9 Form - Request for Taxpayer Identification Number & Certification	Required	Attachment 7
Governing Board - Names and addresses.	Required	Attachment 8
Scope of Services – Include Detailed Activity Description, Location, Proposed Accomplishments, and Action Steps (Include interior and exterior pictures of activity location.)	Required	Attachment 9
Budget – The applicant shall submit a full and complete total budget including a listing of all funds, which are expected to be utilized as a match or to partially fund the project or program including funds requested in this proposal
Entity Budget	Required	Attachment 10
Entity Assets and Liabilities Audited Financial Statements or a Certified Financial Statement, certified by an independent 3^rd party auditor.	Required	Attachment 11
Detailed Activity Budget	Required	Attachment 12
Five-Year Operating Pro-Forma	Only If Applicable	Attachment 13
Sources & Uses Statement for Proposed Activity	Required	Attachment 14
Leveraged Sources (Award Letters, Signed Affidavits, and/or Letters of Commitment)	Required	Attachment 15
Current Articles of Incorporation and Corporate Documents - Please label and include page numbers for each of the sections listed below.
Articles of Incorporation/Corporate Certification	Required	Attachment 16
Current Certificate of Good Standing or Certificate of Status – From the State of Florida	Required	Attachment 17
MDC Business License	Required	Attachment 18
Partnership Agreement	Only if Applicable	Attachment 19
Board Resolutions (If applicable)	Only if Applicable	Attachment 20
Current By-Laws	Required	Attachment 21
Contact Information for All Partners – Names of the organizations, individuals and the specific governmental agencies involved in the partnership, to include contact person(s), addresses and telephone numbers for each and their role in the project. Identify not-for-profit versus for-profit organizations and include DUNS numbers for each organization.	Required	Attachment 22
Collaborative Agreements with Service Providers (signed and dated)	Required	Attachment 23
Résumés and Organizational Chart (including resumes for all HBEC counselors)	Required	Attachment 24
Marketing and Outreach Plan	Required	Attachment 25
Comprehensive Training Curriculum (showing details of the topics contained on page 10 of this RFA book)	Required	Attachment 26
Past Experience as Homebuyer Counseling (HC) provider (include pre and post education and counseling, County mortgage or private lending programs)	Required	Attachment 27
National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling Affiliation (Documentation that the homebuyer counseling entity is a member of the National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling Services)	Required	Attachment 28
Proof of a HUD Client Management System Documentation should include proof of purchase/lease of system, which must include receipt of payment.	Required	Attachment 29
Homebuyer Counseling Track Record (documentation of successful graduates; certificates of completion must be signed and dated)
Graduates who successfully completed homebuyer education workshops (graduate certificates must be signed and dated)	Required	Attachment 30
Graduates who successfully achieved homeownership (graduate certificates must be signed and dated)	Required	Attachment 31
Graduates who successfully completed post-purchase counseling workshops (documentation of homeownership is required)	Required	Attachment 32
Employed HUD Certified Homebuyer Education Counselors (must include documentation, certificates from HUD)	Required	Attachment 33


Activity Title
Amount Requested	$

Applicant Information
First Name
Last Name
Telephone
Email

Organization Information

(changes to this data will be reflected on all other applications for this organization)

Create an Organization

Item Description	Funding Revenue
Budget	(answers are saved automatically when you move to another field)
Instructions Show/Hide
Funding Sources
Please provide your funding sources.
This Request (SHIP)	$
Federal	$
Other State	$
County	$
Municipal	$
Private	$
Donations	$
Other (specify in narrative below)	$
	$
	$
	Total $ 0.00

Funding Uses and Expenses
Please provide your proposed budget for this activity, describing how funds will be used. Please keep to less than 20 line items, and describe further in the Budget Narrative below as needed.
Item Description	This Request	Other Funds	Total Activity Cost
	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	$	$	$
	Total $ 0.00	Total $ 0.00	Total $ 0.00
Budget Narrative (Discuss the items and amounts you entered above.)
Please provide a detailed budget narrative. Indicate the total activity cost, the portion charged to SHIP funding and the portion committed by other funding sources. Provide a detailed break down of all costs for each line item in which you have indicated as a program expense in the Budget above, regardless of the funding source.
Maximum characters: 6000. You have characters left.

Application ID: -1

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