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National Groups Call on HUD to Do More to Prevent Evictions

Nearly 50 affordable housing, tenants’ rights, and civil rights organizations recently called on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to do more to stop the national eviction crisis.

This latest call from the groups comes as HUD’s Interim Final Rule, Extension of Time and Required Disclosures for Nonpayment of Rent, goes into affect. The rule aims to increase access to federal emergency rental assistance but does not provide the resources HUD tenants need to receive the funds.

View the groups’ letter here.

Econometrica Supports HUD Toolkit Responding to Education Challenges From COVID-19

COVID-19 has impacted the nation in many ways, including children’s education. As schools get set to reopen this fall, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released a toolkit aimed at strengthening families and students living in HUD-assisted housing during the pandemic.

From August 2020 to March 2021, Econometrica supported HUD in a series of COVID-19 education peer exchanges. A key outcome from this series is Supporting Our Kids’ Education: Tools to Strengthen Resident Families & Students During COVID-19 & Beyond, a toolkit for public housing agencies and their community partners that responds to the educational challenges experienced by families and children during the pandemic.

The toolkit was developed by HUD’s Office of Choice Neighborhoods in partnership with grantees and expert consultants from Econometrica to provide case studies, ready-to-use family flyers, and a wealth of evidence-based resource links. Topics include:

  • Addressing learning loss.
  • Strengthening families’ ability to support their children’s learning.
  • Developing high-quality out-of-school time programming and tutoring.
  • Establishing learning hubs.

The toolkit highlights open source, research-based tools and resources as well as promising practice case studies that equip housing authorities and their partners to provide targeted educational services and strengthen the ability of families to support their children’s learning.

HUD focused on education because “COVID-19 has exacerbated the stark disparities between low-income housing residents and their higher-income peers.”

“With remote and hybrid learning, children living in public housing and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-assisted housing often face a variety of hurdles, from increased food insecurity and spotty internet service to challenges with student engagement and disruptions in specialized education supports.”

“With remote and hybrid learning, children living in public housing and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-assisted housing often face a variety of hurdles, from increased food insecurity and spotty internet service to challenges with student engagement and disruptions in specialized education supports.”

President Biden’s Budget Plan Includes Major Expansion in Funding for Housing Programs

President Biden recently previewed his request for fiscal year (FY) 2022 discretionary funding, including substantial investments in affordable housing and increases to housing assistance programs.

The FY 2022 blueprint includes $68.7 billion for HUD, a $9 billion, or 15 percent, increase from FY 2021. The budget request aims to significantly expand rental assistance programs, modernize housing stock to improve energy efficiency, reduce health hazards such as lead-based paint, address the critical shortage of affordable housing, and invest in programs to strengthen communities facing underinvestment and prevent and redress housing-related discrimination. The request also aims to further support access to homeownership for underserved borrowers through the Federal Housing Administration’s mortgage insurance programs.

Some aspects of the budget request include:

  • $30.4 billion to expand the Housing Choice Voucher program to 200,000 additional households and improve mobility-related services to low-income families.
  • $800 million for the rehabilitation and modernization of public and HUD-assisted housing to further climate resilience and energy efficiency.
  • $3.2 billion in public housing modernization grants.
  • $3.8 billion for the Community Development Block Grant Program.
  • $1.9 billion in the HOME Investment Partnership Program to build and rehabilitate affordable rental homes and support other housing-related needs, as well a $1800 million targeting new affordable housing for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
  • $85 million in grants to support state and local fair housing enforcement organizations and to further education, outreach, and training on rights and responsibilities under federal fair housing laws.
  • $400 million for HUD’s Lead Hazard and Healthy Homes grants, enabling state and local governments and nonprofits to reduce lead-based paint and other health hazards in the homes of low-income families with young children.
  • $3.5 billion to support those who are homeless and at risk of homelessness.
  • $900 million to fund efforts among Tribal communities to expand affordable housing and improve housing infrastructure.

The full budget blueprint can be found at:

Econometrica has provided technical assistance and training, policy and program analysis, statistical surveys and research, market and feasibility analysis, and knowledge management to HUD, housing authorities, and other organizations nationwide over the years. Since 2011, Econometrica has provided technical assistance through HUD’s OneCPD/Community Compass initiative, which has convened a community of technical assistance providers to serve the Office of Public and Indian Housing, Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD), and other HUD programs and customers. Through OneCPD/Community Compass, Econometrica has provided a variety of services, with a focus on housing, community development, economic development, and neighborhood stabilization.

Econometrica also has evaluated the Rental Assistance Demonstration program, examining the new opportunities RAD creates for public housing authorities to improve public housing physical conditions, how RAD helps PHAs preserve those units over the long term, and the impact of these changes on tenants.

Our staff and business associates comprise a diverse mix of personnel, including former government employees with decades of experience in housing and community development programs, academic researchers from distinguished universities, and highly skilled housing professionals with hands-on experience in housing management, finance, grants monitoring, and other types of support. We are dedicated to supporting our clients in their diverse missions to expand and improve affordable housing, promote homeownership opportunities, stimulate community transformation, assist with disaster recovery, comply with reporting requirements, and enhance their performance.

Econometrica also has evaluated the Rental Assistance Demonstration program, examining the new opportunities RAD creates for public housing authorities to improve public housing physical conditions, how RAD helps PHAs preserve those units over the long term, and the impact of these changes on tenants.

HUD Releases Statement on the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge recently said that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has no near-term plans to change the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund (MMIF).

Noting that the MMIF “has remained resilient” throughout 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic, Secretary Fudge noted that the “FHA portfolio has experienced increased levels of seriously delinquent loans and a heightened level of loans in forbearance.”

In February, FHA extended foreclosure and eviction moratoria through June 30, 2021, and allowed longer forbearance for borrowers whose plans were expiring. HUD also has begun providing resources included in the American Rescue Plan to provide relief to homeowners.

“We continue to monitor mortgage performance trends within our portfolio, particularly related to those homeowners who are struggling financially because of the pandemic.”

The full statement can be found here:

HUD also has begun providing resources included in the American Rescue Plan to provide relief to homeowners.

Work With Us, Work for Us

Econometrica specializes in research and management across numerous industries in both the public and private sectors. We are always looking to hire the best and brightest in data science, health, grants management, energy, homeland security, housing and community development, capital markets and finance, and transportation. We work as the lead service provider, and also as a capable outsource partner to other consultancies. To work with us on your next project, visit us online and email a member of our executive staff in your preferred specialty. To explore the benefits of working for us, visit our careers page.

Request for Qualifications: Notice of Funding Availability for FY 2020 and FY 2021

Request for Qualifications: Notice of Funding Availability for FY 2020 and FY 2021

Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

Consultant and Contractor Partner

Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 and FY 2021 Community Compass Technical Assistance and
Capacity Building Program Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)

Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) No.: FR-6400-N-06

Established in 1998, Econometrica is an economic research and analysis firm located in Bethesda, MD, that provides research, data analytics, and management services to local, state, and federal government clients, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and its grantees. Econometrica is requesting qualifications from firms and individuals interested in participating in our application in response to HUD’s FY 2020 and FY 2021 Community Compass Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Program NOFA (Opportunity No. FR-6400-N-06).

For more information from HUD regarding the FY 2020 and FY 2021 NOFA, the full announcement is accessible at the following link: https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/SPM/documents/HUD_FY2020andFY2021_ccta.pdf.

HUD’s NOFA invites competitive applications for 2 funding years, FY 2020 and FY 2021. Econometrica intends to request funding from both funding years.

Consultant/Contractor Partner RFQ Submission Deadline

The priority deadline has passed; however, Econometrica is now accepting applications on a continuous and rolling basis. Consultants and subcontractor firms with specialized skills and experience in the areas of economic development, affordable and assisted housing programs, community development, and disaster resilience and recovery are important members of our team. Experience with HUD data systems is a plus. Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. Please consider reviewing the application requirements and submitting a response to join our team.

Qualifications and Experience Required

In accordance with 2 CFR Part 200, Sections 200.317 through 200.326, Econometrica is providing in this RFQ a description of the technical requirements of functions to be performed or performance required, including the range of acceptable characteristics or minimum acceptable standards. The Community Compass initiative is designed to support HUD’s local and state grantees to address a range of challenges or obstacles to full program implementation. The goal of the technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives is to equip HUD’s grantees with the knowledge, skills, tools, organizational capacity, and systems to implement HUD programs and policies successfully and in compliance with state and federal rules, regulations, and program requirements. Therefore, Econometrica is searching for qualified firms and individuals who can provide experience and skills relevant to HUD programs, policies, systems, and initiatives. These programs, policies, systems, and initiatives include but are not limited to:

  • Affordable housing, mixed finance (including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and Rental Assistance Demonstration), and homeownership.
  • Community and economic development and disaster resilience.
  • Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
  • Public housing operations and programs, including public housing accounting, Moving to Work, and Section 3.
  • Choice Neighborhoods, Promise Zones, and Opportunity Zones.
  • Disaster Recovery Grant Reporting (DRGR), Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS), Line of Credit Control System (LOCCS), Section 3 Performance Evaluation and Registration System (SPEARS), Physical Needs Assessment (PNA), and Energy and Performance Information Center (EPIC).
  • Supportive housing and services.
  • Housing preservation, tenant participation, and capacity building.
  • Policy Development and Research (PD&R).
  • Fair housing, procurement, Davis-Bacon, energy and environment, and other cross-cutting requirements.
  • Workforce development.

Evaluation Criteria

All submissions received will be reviewed against the following selection criteria:

  • Experience and Technical Qualifications: The extent to which each respondent demonstrates skills and abilities related to the description above and acceptable experience with Econometrica, as applicable.
  • Rate Reasonableness: The extent to which rates are considered reasonable compared to the respondent’s experience and qualifications, market prices, and any rate limitations imposed by HUD. Before assigning a funded task, rates must be determined to be fair and reasonable. Respondents must be able to provide evidence of their past pattern of compensation. This evidence includes customary rates, including rates on non-government contracts or cooperative agreements.
    • Please note: Due to HUD restrictions on approval of hourly consultant rates of $200 or above, Econometrica may need to request additional documentation and rate justification from a consultant to provide to HUD for approval.
  • Debarment/Suspension Check: Potential consultants found to be suspended or debarred from federal government business will not be solicited for or awarded task orders. This status is verified by searching the System for Award Management: https://www.sam.gov.
  • Small Business: Econometrica is committed to utilizing small disadvantaged businesses, minority-owned firms, American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms, veteran-owned firms, and women’s business enterprises whenever possible.

All consultants will be selected in compliance with the procurement procedures and standards codified in 2 CFR 200. Selection of consultants will be competitive, as required by 2 CFR § 200.320.

Qualified Applicants

The qualifications and experience of selected individual consultants or partner firms may be included in Econometrica’s application to the NOFA. Those included may also be asked to assist with contributing expert knowledge in areas of the application response.

Instructions for Submission

  1. Review and respond to only the required Experience Form tab/worksheet 4 found in the attached Excel Workbook entitled “1.C. Applicant Summary, Interest, Capacity & Experience Workbook-REQUIRED.”
  2. Once you have completed the required Experience Form, email the Excel file along with the following documents to FY2020NOFA@EconometricaInc.com. Please use the subject line “Your Name – FY2020 NOFA.”
    • A scanned copy of the signed and dated Participation Agreement found in Appendix A of this RFQ.
    • Professional resumes for each individual included in the completed Experience Form.
    • Hourly rates for everyone included in the completed Experience Form.
    • Three professional references for work completed within the last 3 years. The references should be nonfamilial and not an Econometrica staff member. Please provide the following for each reference:
      • Contact name (first, last).
      • Title/role.
      • Organization.
      • Email.
      • Best phone.

The following instructions apply to the Experience Form (tab/worksheet 4) in Excel Workbook entitled “1.C. Applicant Summary, Interest, Capacity & Experience Workbook-REQUIRED”. REMEMBER you are ONLY required to complete the Experience Form. Econometrica as the Prime Applicant will complete the other tabs/worksheets.

  • For each staff person, consultant or partner organization populate the following (first and last); organization name, city, state, ZIP Code, and DUNS or unique identifier; role (in relation to you/your firm) and qualifications narrative.
  • For the qualifications narrative, provide a summary of the individual’s experience, expertise, and other qualifications relevant to the activities included in the Community Compass NOFA.
  • Use the “+” links (above the dark gray columns) to expand and show the relevant programs/topics in each HUD Office. To hide/collapse those programs/topics, use the “–” links.

Note: For each person listed, there are two steps to document years of experience:

  1. Enter the years of experience for each program/topic column.
  2. Enter the total number of unduplicated years of experience associated with each HUD program area.

For example, if Jane Doe has 5 years of experience with CDBG entitlements (2011–2016) and 8 years (2008–2016) with CDBG Disaster Recovery programs, the applicant would include 5 and 8 under the relevant program topics. Then, for the total years for the CDBG program, the applicant would include 8 years to represent unduplicated years. When entering the number of years of experience relevant to each program/topic, include only whole numbers; do not include text or decimals.

For this chart, 1 year means “10 months or more.” For instance, if a person has 9 months of experience, that person would be considered to have 0 years of experience, while a person with 5 years, 11 months of experience would be considered to have 6 years of experience.

Note: There are two columns under the Additional section that require a Yes or No response, rather than a numeric answer: the “Completed Administration and Rental Housing Compliance Certification courses” column and the “Bilingual (Spanish)” column.

Questions and Inquiries

Respondents are encouraged to submit questions about this RFQ in writing to: FY2020NOFA@EconometricaInc.com. Please use the subject line “Your Name – FY2020 NOFA Questions.”

Press contact: Jonathan Fusfield, JFusfield@EconometricaInc.com