Specifications include, but are not limited to: 2.4.1 Permanent Supportive Housing ("PSH") 2.4.1.1 HHA is working in partnership with the City of Houston, Texas and Harris County to increase the availability of PSH units and reduce homelessness in the City of Houston, Texas. 2.4.1.2 Prospective tenants for PSH projects selected by HHA to receive PBV assistance pursuant to this “RFP” will generally be drawn first from the City of Houston, Texas' coordinated placement system; however, PBV proposers are able to propose alternative tenant selection methods. For VASH vouchers tenants will be referred directly from the Veterans Administration (VA) for placement in units. 2.4.1.3 HUD's definition of a chronically homeless person is "an unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition who has either been continuously homeless for a year or more OR has had at least four (4) episodes of homelessness in the past three (3) years." A disabling condition is defined as "a diagnosable substance use disorder, serious mental illness, developmental disability, or chronic physical illness or disability, including the co-occurrence of two or more of these conditions." 2.4.1.4 These citizens frequently confront serious, persistent issues such as substance abuse, addiction or alcoholism, mental illness, HIV/AIDS, and other serious challenges to a successful life. The purpose of PSH is to provide housing combined with intensive, all-inclusive services, either inhouse or through third-party providers, that will help the residents remain housed. These services should include: • Case Management • Behavioral Health Care • Medical Care • Life Skills Training 2.4.2 Supportive housing for Transition Age Youth Aging out of Foster Care. 2.4.2.1 HHA is no longer conducting a demonstration program that gave a preference to up to 100 applicants during the demonstration period. The intent was to preference 25 Transition Age Youth (TAY) Aging out of Foster Care annually, but unused slots would rollover each year. 2.4.2.2 When available, applicants must accept referrals from “HHA's” TAY pilot preference for participants and partnered with service provider(s) with whom HHA have executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining the provider's responsibilities for the provision of supportive services provided to participants. 2.4.3 Housing developments located or to be located in census tracts that are "high opportunity areas", designated as revitalization areas by the City of Houston, and/or that preserve or expand affordable housing opportunities in other areas of HHA’s jurisdiction (Tiers). 2.4.3.1 Developers of Tax Credit Properties and Owners of other properties in areas with quality schools are encouraged to apply and HHA will assist the development to lease up vacancies and provide a contractual rental stream for the period of the Contract. 2.4.3.2 HHA is willing to take innovative approaches to obtain units in developments in high opportunity areas including a "demonstration" of a few units or for a shorter-term trial period. Units in this category may receive rents in accordance to HHA’s approved payment standards. subject to a determination that the rent meets required rent reasonableness standard analysis. 2.4.3.3 To receive full evaluation points for the high opportunity or Citydesignated revitalization area criteria, the proposed site must be: 1) located in a census tract with a poverty rate below 15%; and, 2) situated in the attendance zone of elementary, middle and high schools that have Met Standard ratings of 77 or greater on index 1 of the performance index related to student achievement. Only proposals that involve new construction or substantial rehab qualify for points under the Citydesignated revitalization area criteria. 2.4.3.4 To score in the midrange for this criterion, proposals must be located in census tracts designated as revitalization areas by the City of Houston (applies to new construction or substantial rehab proposals only) and/or have poverty rates below 15%. Other developments that promote the preservation or expansion of affordable housing opportunities are eligible to score in the mid-range. 2.4.3.5 In evaluating this criterion, HHA will carefully review the information provided in each proposal concerning conformance with HUD's Site and Neighborhood standards.
