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1. The Community Development Department received the following questions about the 2021 Continuum of Care Homeless Grants Competition and provides the following responses to them.

It was mentioned in the pre-application workshop that the Community Development Department (CDD) is recommending PSH projects that are designated as being Dedicate Plus. Is this recommendation for only for new projects? Meaning, can you clarify that the CDD is not expecting currently funded PSH projects (PSH renewal projects) that are currently designated as dedicated to chronically homeless change their classification to Dedicated Plus, right?  

Response:  CDD’s recommendation (as the CoC Lead Agency/Collaborative Applicant) to the Policy and Planning Committee is only for new projects, however, there is encouragement for Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) renewal projects to consider designating some or all beds currently designated as dedicated to chronically homeless people as Dedicated Plus beds, if able they are able to do so during the open CoC NOFA competition. Furthermore, it should be noted at this time that the recommendation has not been adopted by the Homeless Services Advisory Committee as the priority for any new permanent housing bonus funds available to the Durham CoC in this year’s CoC competition. The Policy & Planning Committee has taken the recommendation under advisement and will make its funding recommendation priority(ies) at its June 14th meeting. The HSAC is expected to finalize its funding recommendation priority(ies) at its June 23, 2021 meeting.

2. The FY 2019 NOFA allowed grant consolidation and transitioning projects to a different type, i.e. a TH project becoming a RRH project.

Is it currently known whether these options are available for the FY 2021 competition?

Response: It is not certain that these options will be available in the 2021 CoC competition. We will not know for sure whether these options will be included in the 2021 CoC competition until HUD releases the 2021 Notice Of Funding Availability (NOFA). However, HUD has allowed consolidation and/or reallocation of funds in pervious NOFA competitions Based on HUD’s prior practices, the CDD anticipates that HUD will make these options available in the FY 2021 CoC competition.

3. If transitioning a project is allowed in the FY 2021 competition, does that mean that a RRH project can apply to become a PSH project?

For example, if an organization were thinking about changing a RRH project to a PSH project instead; would that be a possibility?

Response: Yes, that is what the concept of a “transition project” means and would allow. This process allows an organization to transition a project from one project type to another without providing the funds to the CoC to be reallocated to the new project type in a CoC-wide competition. Organizations seeking to transition a project must follow the instructions provided in the NOFA.