McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Program

Type

Capital, Operating, Services

Source

Federal

Procurement Agency

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

AKA/Previously Known As

See the following profiles:

Total Annual Award

Each community has a funding level assigned to it, referred to as the pro rata need. New York State's 2011 initial pro rata amounts are available here. 

New York State received a total of $189 million of approximately $1.91 billion awarded nationally in the 2011 competition. Funds are awarded competitively based on the rankings of local CoC applications. Renewal projects are funded annually if supported locally by the Continuum of Care (CoC). In addition to the pro rata share, each CoC is eligible to apply for a bonus project, equal to either 15% of its pro rata need  or $6 million, whichever is lower. In 2010, this funding was targeted for permanent supportive housing projects for individuals and families, with a special emphasis on veterans.

Eligible Populations

Homeless individuals and families. Disability is required for permanent supportive housing through the Supportive Housing Program (SHP) and Shelter Plus Care (SPC). Disabilities include mental health, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and domestic violence.

Eligible Projects

Permanent supportive and transitional housing, rental assistance, operating funds and supportive services.

Funding Award Details

In 2011, McKinney awarded 731 programs in 30 local Continuums of Care in New York State totaling $189 million.

In order for a supportive housing provider to obtain funding, it must apply through its local CoC planning process in the community where assistance is being sought. Continuums rank projects based on local needs and priorities. HUD reviews and scores the overall CoC plans and ranks them nationally. It also performs a threshold review on projects to ensure that they meet the funding criteria.

Rate Details

Up to $400,000 for capital. Leasing costs are tied to the Fair Market Rent (FMR) established by HUD for the area. However, there are no formal limits associated with the non-rental operating or service costs, although costs should be reasonable for the size and scope of the proposed project.

Term of Service/Length of Grant

Grants are for two or three years for new SHP projects and five years for SPC. Renewals of current projects are annual and currently funded automatically if prioritized by the local CoC.

Limitations

Projects must have site control within one year of initial award. Capital funding is limited to $400,000 and requires a 100% match. Operating funding requires a 25% cash match and services funding requires a 20% cash match. Rental assistance does not require a match; however SPC does require a 100% services match, either cash or in-kind services.

Network Notes

The McKinney-Vento Act as amended by the Homeless and Emergency Assistance for Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act was due to take full effect in 2011, although implementation is linked to funding. This will result in substantial changes in the 2012 competition, including a consolidation of the three separate McKinney Programs, using one set of standards. Federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Programs are distributed competitively to local communities through a CoC planning and application process.

The CoC is both a funding application and a local planning tool that helps communities plan for and provide a balance of emergency, transitional and permanent housing and services for their community's homeless families and individuals. The CoC plan identifies the current inventory of homeless assistance programs, gaps and needs in the service delivery system, and includes action steps to end homelessness. The approach is predicated on the understanding that homelessness is not caused merely by a lack of shelter, but involves a variety of underlying and unmet physical, economic and social needs. The ideal Continuum consists of a broad array of members. Providers of housing and services to each of the disability populations, representatives of local government, interested businesses, housing authorities and homeless and formerly homeless individuals may be part of the planning group. By-laws typically govern the CoC process.

The groups are required to develop what is called an Exhibit 1 application, which is a community-based planning document. The key elements of this are:

  • Enumeration of the number of homeless people in the community
  • An assessment of the existing resources in the community to address homelessness
  • The determination of gaps in housing and services
  • A goal plan that is feasible, with measurable outcomes

The Continuum is responsible for soliciting individual project proposals in an open process and evaluating and prioritizing them. These are termed Exhibit 2 project proposals. They typically consist of new and renewal projects that require ongoing operating and/or services funding. The CoC Assistance Grants comprise three separate programs that are used to build and run supportive housing and provide services to supportive housing tenants: Shelter Plus Care (S+C), Supportive Housing Program (SHP) and Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Program aka SRO Moderate Rehabilitation Program.

For More Information

For grant applications, resource guides and other materials, visit HUD's website.

Contact

HUD Buffalo Field Office
William O'Connell
(716) 551-5755, x5800
william.t.o'connell@hud.gov

HUD New York Regional Office
Vincent Hom
(212) 542-7401
vincent.hom@hud.gov

Last updated: 04/11/2012

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