SHAre Update - November 30, 2022

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News

CDFI Fund Releases Notice For $5B

In New Markets Tax Credits

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) released a Notice of Allocation Availability (NOAA), making available up to $5 billion in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation authority available for the calendar year 2022 round of the NMTC program. The CDFI Fund will hold a Q&A webinar to answer questions on NOAA applications on Thursday, December 1, at 3:00 p.m. ET. Since the inception of the NMTC program in 2000, the CDFI Fund has completed 18 allocation rounds, making over 1,400 awards totaling $71 billion in NMTC allocation authority. In total, these investments have created over 35,000 jobs, developed or rehabilitated over 11.5 million square feet of community facility space, created 12,000 school seats, and facilitated 1.5 million healthcare visits since the program was enacted.

RFP For Mobile Access To Medications

For Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

This Request for Proposals (RFP) is issued by the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) to implement an initiative that will enable agencies to travel to communities on a regular basis to provide low-threshold medication services to people with a substance use disorder (SUD) who encounter obstacles to receiving services at traditional “brick-and-mortar” treatment agencies. This initiative, Mobile Access to Medications for Substance User Disorder (Short Title: Mobile Access) is designed to increase access to medications for SUD, i.e., buprenorphine, methadone, naloxone, naltrexone or acamprosate; medical referral services, case management; and recovery support services.

Total funding is $1,075,000, which will include start-up funds in the amount of $300,000 to purchase a Mobile Outreach Vehicle (MOV). The remaining amount, $775,00 will be funded through cost reimbursement contracting to provide the full services described in the Contract Scope of Work section of this RFP, as well as to maintain the MOV. When the initiative ends, the MOV will be the property of DMHAS, and successful bidders may continue to operate by transferring the title to DMHAS and renting the vehicle from the Division for a nominal cost. All funding is subject to Federal and State appropriations.

The contract end date for this initiative is September 29, 2023 pending federal appropriations. At the start of this initiative, the successful bidder will be expected to prescribe buprenorphine from the MOV. According to regulations issued by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, the successful bidder will work with DMHAS to transition to mobile services that allow for the dispensing of buprenorphine and methadone from the MOV.

DMHAS anticipates making up to one (1) award. The successful bidder is responsible for serving a minimum of 100 people on an annual basis.

Click here for the RFP.

No Mandatory Bidders Conference.

Intent to Apply / DHS SFTP Login Credentials Due Date – no later than 4:00 p.m. ET on December 9, 2022

Proposal Due Date – no later than 4:00 p.m. ET on December 16, 2022

Notify Date – January 13, 2023

FCC Releases Notice Of Funding Opportunity

For ACP Outreach Grant Program

The FCC released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Outreach Grant Program. The ACP is a $14.2 billion FCC program that helps ensure that qualifying low-income households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The ACP Outreach Grant Program will facilitate the promotion of the ACP and increase awareness of and participation in the ACP among eligible households. To support this goal, the FCC seeks to enlist and empower trusted community messengers to develop innovative outreach strategies to reach historically underserved and unserved communities, including low-income households, aging populations, individuals with disabilities, individuals with language barriers, racial and ethnic minorities, and rural inhabitants.

ACP Outreach Grant Program application forms and instructions may be accessed at https://www.grants.gov under Assistance Listing (CFDA) Number: 32.011 - Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program. Complete applications must be received electronically through https://www.grants.gov no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on January 9, 2023. Late applications will not be accepted.

For assistance using https://www.grants.gov, please contact the Help Desk at (800) 518-4726 or email support@grants.gov. People with disabilities who need assistance to submit the application may request assistance by email to FCC504@fcc.gov.

Enterprise Community Partners Explores Benefits For Investors And Tenants In Renter Wealth Creation Fund

The innovative fund will boost residents and preserve about 7,000 homes.

Enterprise Community Partners has announced a new program to give renters the wealth-building opportunities traditionally limited to homeowners while preserving up to $1 billion in affordable and workforce housing.

Backed by Enterprise’s national affordable housing platform and fund management experience, the Renter Wealth Creation Fund has a goal of raising $250 million from investors. The fund will offer a return for investors while creating upward mobility for renters, who earn immediate cash back for on-time payments and the opportunity to share in the appreciation of the property over the long term. Enterprise expects the fund to preserve 7,000 homes with benefits including:

1. Cash Back: Every month, residents who make on-time rent payments receive cash back through Stake, a mobile app that allows the transfer and use of these reimbursements;

2. Resident Services: Each property will offer services tailored to the needs of the residents; and

3. Shared Appreciation: Like homeowners cashing out from a sale, long-term residents—current and former—can receive a share of the profits if the property is refinanced or sold for a profit. When this occurs, investors receive a targeted financial return of 4%, and residents who lived in the building for at least four years are expected to receive 80% of the financial upside thereafter as an additional cash-back reward.

Learn from the following piece by Enterprise Community Partners that appeared in ImpactAlpha discussing how housing investments can benefit investors as well as tenants:

Solutions to the problem of wealth inequality have largely focused on using philanthropy to make it easier for lower-income and underrepresented people to become homeowners. Yet not everyone wants to be a homeowner, and for many the path to homeownership is long and difficult. ESG investments in housing with a focus on wealth-building opportunities for renters could make a real impact on the wealth gap.

One model for this is the Renter Wealth Creation Fund, which we at Enterprise launched last month. Longtime residents of affordable housing properties in the fund have the opportunity to receive a payout – 80% of the profit – when the property is refinanced or sold. Investors receive a targeted financial return of 4%. The fund aims to raise $250 million from investors (and has thus far raised $47 million).

This presents a wealth-building opportunity for renters who would otherwise have no financial stake in their home, even after years of rent payments, all while targeting a reasonable financial return for the fund’s investors. The fund was specifically designed around feedback from renters. In focus groups, renters made it clear that while the potential for a payout was exciting, the sole focus on long-term wealth ignored the day-to-day challenges they face today. They were concerned with meeting their immediate needs, like groceries or bills. “Wealth” wasn’t an abstract future goal; it meant the financial freedom to be able to order dinner in, instead of cooking, to put a few extra dollars toward debt payments, or pursue small comforts that increase quality of life.

New Jersey Department Of Community Affairs

Launches New Local Code Of Ordinances Directory

Comprehensive Database Provides One-Click Access to Municipal and County Codes of Ordinances and Administrative Codes

TRENTON, NJ — The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) announced the launch of DCA’s new Local Code of Ordinances Directory. The Local Code of Ordinances Directory is the first comprehensive database of New Jersey municipal and county codes of ordinances and administrative codes. It provides convenient one-click access to all municipal codes of ordinances and county administrative codes made available online that are known to the Department of Community Affairs as of October 21, 2022. The directory can be found here: Local Code of Ordinances Directory.

The database may not include all ordinances currently in effect as the frequency of code updates varies by local government. Some municipalities only make portions of their ordinances available online. The Department cannot confirm how current or accurate these documents are and provides these links as an information resource for the public. Questions about these ordinances should be directed to the appropriate county or municipal clerk.

The new Local Code of Ordinances Directory is just one of the many DCA resources offered on its website. Users can quickly navigate to DCA’s Data Hub for immediate access to valuable municipal data, the Community Asset Map, information about affordable housing developments, building permit data, fire statistics, and more.

The public can access the DCA Data Hub by visiting https://www.nj.gov/dca/services/xxdatahub.html. The Hub also offers external links to non-DCA state aid from the Department of Education, Department of Transportation, and State Library.

NJ Treasury and DHS Announce One-Time

Benefit For Eligible ITIN Taxpayers In November

(TRENTON) – New Jersey State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio and Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman announced that a one-time benefit of $500 per eligible resident under the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) Direct Assistance Program will be mailed this month to income-eligible New Jersey individuals and families who were not eligible for federal stimulus payments and file taxes using an ITIN.

Eligible individuals do not need to apply for this benefit. If a person’s tax filing meets the eligibility requirements, they will automatically be mailed a check from the State of New Jersey later this month. Treasury’s Division of Taxation will be sending checks to the address used by the individual when they filed their 2021 taxes. The Department of Human Services’ Office of New Americans has developed education and outreach materials and will be raising awareness about this benefit in partnership with Treasury.

It is estimated that the program will provide assistance to over 68,000 households.

A person is eligible if they filed a New Jersey income tax return in 2021 using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and their household income is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, according to the following guidelines:

The ITIN Direct Assistance Program is funded with American Rescue Plan dollars authorized in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget.

For more information, visit: https://www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation/itinfaq.shtml

NJ DHS Offering Free

Interactive Online Classes For People Age 60+

In an effort to combat social isolation, Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman announced the Department’s partnership with GetSetUp, an interactive online learning community, to provide free, live virtual classes for New Jerseyans ages 60 and older.

The GetSetUp platform offers live classes taught by peers who are experts in their field, social hours hosted by community members, and special events with speakers who directly address areas of interest to older adults. Older New Jerseyans can choose from more than 500 available classes on a range of topics such as aging in place, computers, budgeting, mental fitness, and more. Classes are offered in English, Spanish, Hindi and Mandarin. Classes are available 24 hours a day. To reach the New Jersey GetSetUp site, visit getsetup.io/partner/NJ.

DDD Update: FY2023 DSP & Supervisor Rate Increases

Effective January 1, 2023, certain fee-for-service Medicaid rates will receive an upward adjustment to increase Direct Support Professional (DSP) and Supervisor wages. At that time, all individuals enrolled in a fee-for-service program (Supports Program and Community Care Program under Fee-for-Service) will see an increase in their budget to accommodate this.

The Division is releasing Frequently Asked Questions: FY2023 DSP & Supervisor Rate Increases in advance of January 1, 2023 in order to address questions around when these rates will be increased and how these increases will be reflected in DSP and Supervisor wages. The FY2023 Rates will be posted shortly.

ANCHOR Tax Relief Deadline Extended To January 31st

New Eligibility For Homeowners and Renters in PILOT Housing

Attention ANCHOR Applicants

The deadline for filing your ANCHOR benefit application is January 31, 2023.

Important Update: The extension now includes a provision allowing homeowners or tenants living in units which make Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) to be eligible for this program. This could potentially benefit many seniors or people with disabilities. More details will follow and we will update you as we know more.

ANCHOR benefits will roll out in the late Spring of 2023. ANCHOR payments will be paid in the form of a direct deposit or check, not as credits to property tax bills. Homeowners who filed a homestead benefit application last year may be able to obtain their ID and PIN numbers online. Tenants do not need an ID or PIN number to file. Visit the Division’s ANCHOR page for all filing information. Due to high call volume, the ANCHOR and Homestead Benefit Hotline may be unable to take your call at certain times. If that occurs, please try your call at another time. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

More than three million residents are eligible for up to $1,500 in property tax relief under the ANCHOR program.

To be eligible for this year's benefit, you must have occupied your primary residence on October 1st, 2019. The deadline for filing is now January 31st, 2023. ANCHOR replaces the Homestead Benefit program.

Homeowners

You are considered a homeowner if, on October 1, 2019, you:

Owned a house,
Owned a condominium and paid property taxes on your unit;
Were a resident shareholder of a cooperative housing complex;
Were a resident of a continuing care retirement community and your continuing care contract requires you to pay the proportionate share of property taxes attributable to your unit.

You may not qualify if your residence was completely exempt from paying property taxes.

Tenants

You are considered a tenant if, on October 1, 2019, you:

Rented an apartment, condominium, or house;
Rented or owned a mobile home located in a mobile home park.

You may not qualify if you lived in tax-exempt, subsidized, or campus housing.

Resources & Virtual Forums

Arc of New Jersey Webinar On Navigating

The Division of Developmental Disabilities Service System

Tuesday, December 6, 2022 | 6:00pm - 7:00 pm

This presentation or webinar will provide an overview of entering the DDD service system and explain eligibility requirements, the intake process, what services are available, and information related to DDD’s care management system (Support Coordination).

Click here to register for the webinar

Free Fall/Winter 2022-23 Webinars From DCM Associates

December 7, 2022

1:00 p.m. EST / 10:00 a.m. PST

Mission Ambassadors - Developing Effective

Advocates and Ambassadors for Your Mission

Gregory Nielsen, Managing Director

Click here to register

December 14, 2022

1:00 p.m. EST / 10:00 a.m. PST

The Value of Executive Coaching for Today’s Nonprofit Leaders

Dr. Jim McGuirk and Dr. Terrence Cahill, Managing Directors

Click here to register

December 21, 2022

1:00 p.m. EST / 10:00 a.m. PST

How to Become One of America’s

Most Successful Nonprofit Organizations

Dennis C. Miller, Founder & Chairman

Click here to register

HUD Roundtable Discussion Series: Rapid Rehousing

HUD is sponsoring a second round of the Rapid Rehousing (RRH) Roundtable Discussion Series, kicking off December 8, 2022 at 1:30 PM EST, with the topic of Advancing Equity. Additional sessions will follow every six weeks, with topics to be determined along the way. Each webinar in the series will host a facilitated dialogue amongst a small group of panelists and will include an opportunity for participants to submit questions to the panelists and technical assistance (TA) providers. Learn how to join the first session on December 8.

Earlier this year, HUD sponsored the first round of the roundtable discussions to identify, imagine, and increase trends that support innovation in RRH services and programs. Practitioners, policy-makers, and people with lived experience of homelessness shared their thoughts, challenges, and promising practices on topics including racial equity, assertive engagement, and landlord recruitment. View materials and recordings from the previous sessions.

Training Objectives

Participants will learn about:

Advancing equity throughout Rapid Rehousing design and implementation
Maximizing limited resources
Staffing models and practices that promote equity and improve outcomes
Effective strategies for engaging with landlords and identifying housing pathways
Service delivery strategies

Who Should Attend?

This series is intended for anyone involved in homeless system response and identifying housing for our most vulnerable neighbors including, but not limited to, Continuum of Care (CoC) staff, leadership, program administrators, consumer advisory board members, Youth Action Board members, direct service staff/program management, landlords and property managers, and recipients and subrecipients of Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) and CoC funding.

Joining Instructions

The Advancing Equity through RRH session is taking place on December 8, 2022 from 1:30 to 3:00 PM EST.

Participants do not need to register in advance. It is strongly recommended that you join each webinar 15 minutes prior to the start time (1:15 PM EST). To join each webinar, simple access the login page at the link below.

Click here to access the webinar

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Diane Riley, Executive Director

diane.riley@shanj.org

Joseph Christensen, Membership & Communication Manager

j.christensen@shanj.org

Kate Kelly, MSW – Integrated Community Project Manager

kate.kelly@shanj.org

Kate Leahy, Housing Navigator Project Manager

kate.leahy@shanj.org

Janai Johnson, Administrator

j.johnson@shanj.org

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Advocate ● Educate ● Support

The Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey unites its diverse coalition of members engaging development, resources, and information to sustain supportive housing systems within New Jersey. Since 1998, our statewide mission seeks to enhance lives and accessibility to enable independent living within our communities.

Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey

185 Valley Street, South Orange, NJ 07079

www.shanj.org | 908-931-1131