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Maryland Housing Counseling Fund & Mortgage Loan Servicing Practices Settlement Fund Legal Application Clinic June 21, 2012 Application Clinic Webinar • • • • • • Introductions Eligibility Application Submission Process Application Overview FAQ` Q&A Introduction The Housing Counseling and Foreclosure Mediation Fund, also known as the Maryland Housing Counseling Fund (the “Fund”), was established pursuant to Section 7-105.1 of the Real Property Article and Section 4507 of the Housing And Community Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The Fund’s purpose is to support nonprofits and governmental housing counselors that provide professional housing counseling, financial counseling and legal services to Maryland consumers. In the Maryland Housing Counseling Fund FY11 and FY12 competitive rounds, financial assistance was focused on helping consumers affected by the foreclosure crisis. The FY13 round will continue this focus and will expand to include substantial new funds from the Maryland Attorney General’s portion of the 2012 joint federal-state mortgage servicing settlement with the five largest U.S. bank servicers of mortgages (the “Settlement Fund”). Introduction The Settlement Fund is comprised of the State’s $53.7 million allocation of discretionary funds from the joint federal-state settlement. The Maryland Attorney General, in consultation with the Governor and Legislature, has determined that $6.2 million of these funds will be allocated over a threeyear period, FY13, FY14 and FY15, to provide legal assistance services to homeowners impacted by foreclosure and to tenants whose landlords are in foreclosure. This allocation is subject to final approval through mandated State budget processes. DHCD and the Maryland Office of the Attorney General are seeking multi-year proposals from legal services organizations that can be funded through renewable grants. Who’s Eligible? Eligible Applicants – 501(c)(3) nonprofit legal service organizations Award Pot • $6.2 million from AG Settlement for legal assistance organizations • Up to $1 million from MHCF for legal assistance organizations Eligible Activities • Prevent foreclosure and provide loss mitigation assistance • Help households access loan modifications, principal reduction, refinancing, restitution and other benefits • Help households access information and benefits from the Independent Foreclosure Review • Help homeowners qualify for HARP • Assist tenants affected by landlord foreclosures • Mediation – representation or preparation • Coordinate with housing counselors and other legal services organizations • Engage pro bono legal professionals to serve consumers • Offer other innovative ideas for utilizing legal services to improve the wellbeing and financial stability of vulnerable homeowners and tenants Technology Requests Eligible Technology Requests: – Up to $10,000 – To enhance or automate organizational systems – Must be clearly described and have a direct connection to improving organization’s service delivery Section II: Proposal Information Part 1 PROPOSED AREAS OF SERVICE & POPULATIONS SERVED (15 points) a. List the Maryland jurisdictions you propose to serve. b. Describe the demographics of the client base you served last year through this program. If this is a new program, describe the demographics of the client base you anticipate serving through this program. c. Are you proposing to serve non-English speaking households? If so, describe your current capacity and experience for doing so. d. Are you proposing to serve any special needs populations such as the elderly, veterans or the disabled? If so, describe your current capacity and experience for doing so. Section II: Proposal Information Part 1 EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE: (25 points) a. Describe your organization’s mission and experience, highlighting the accomplishments of major programs that relate to foreclosure prevention or protection of tenants’ rights. b. How many attorneys will your organization have providing services related to foreclosure prevention or protection of tenants’ rights and what percentage of their time will be spent on those activities? c. If you rely upon the legal expertise of existing staff, describe their legal experience and provide resumes. d. If you rely upon the legal expertise of staff that will be hired, describe the minimum and desired qualities for the new position and provide a position description. e. If you rely upon the legal expertise of third parties, describe the legal experience and qualifications of those third parties. Section II: Proposal Information Part 1 PROPOSED PROGRAM / CAPACITY: (25 points) a. Describe the program for which you are seeking funding, including the types of legal services you plan to offer. b. If this is a renewal or expansion of the program(s) you conducted in the last fiscal year, describe the level of outputs(activities or people served) and the outcomes achieved last year (the difference your program made for consumers served). c. List the key leadership, program staff and volunteers that will be engaged in the program including their experience, education and training. Also provide resumes of key personnel. d. Describe any new positions you propose to add to the program and provide position descriptions. e. What organizational assets do you have in place that will be key to supporting a successful program (such as technology, Board leadership, volunteer networks, etc.)? f. Describe the ways in which you plan to leverage any grant funds with other resources and funds. g. Over what period of time do you plan to offer these services? Section II: Proposal Information Part 1 PROPOSED PROGRAM / CAPACITY: (25 points) – Continued Please complete the program staff chart below. If you are seeking a renewable grant, provide the information for each proposed grant year. Current Program Staff Name/Title/Email/Phone FTE/PT FTE = 1 Name/Title/Email/Phone PT = .5 Additional Staff for Request Name (If currently employed)/ Title Name (If currently employed)/ Title Section II: Proposal Information Part 1 PROPOSED PROGRAM / IMPACT: (25 points) a. Describe your Program goals, including specific and realistic annual outputs (activities) and outcomes (impact) your program will accomplish over the next three years. b. How does this compare to what was accomplished in FY12? (The answer to this question should specifically include how many people you served in FY12 in foreclosure prevention and/or protection of tenants’ rights and how many you are proposing to serve in FY13-FY15, including description of the kinds of outcomes these clients achieved or will achieve as a result of your organization’s assistance.) c. What are the key challenges to achieving these goals (besides full funding), and how will you address these challenges? d. What specific performance indicators/metrics will you track to evaluate progress toward your goals? Reporting Monthly reports that illustrate progress toward goals Report design TBD, but will relate to the goals and performance indicators in proposal Annual renewal of grant will be based on performance and compliance Maintenance of effort and fundraising When is the application due? DUE DATE Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Mail one (1) Original and three (3) copies of an unbound application and all attachments to: Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development ATTN: MHCF/Mortgage Settlement Fund 100 Community Place, Room 1.241 Crownsville, MD 20132-2023 AND Email a copy of the application and all attachments to: [email protected] APPLICATION OVERVIEW Application Sections • Section I. - General Information • Section II. - Proposal Information • Section III. - Technology Request • Section IV.- Documents to be executed or attached by applicant 1 NOTE • Address ALL questions • There is a checklist at the end of Section IV Section I: General Information Part 1: Applicant Information – Contact Person – Executive Director Part 2: Applicant Information – Fill in 1 and 2. – Attach 3, 4, & 5 Part 3: Certification – Request Total = Legal Services Grant + Technology Support Grant – Signed by Executive Director Section II: Proposal Information Part 1 Criteria for Determining Awards Part Proposed Service Area & Population Points 15 (based on geographic need and program coverage) Experience and Expertise of Legal Service Team 25 Proposed Program 25 Impact of the Proposed Program 25 Partnership Strategies 10 Section II: Proposal Information Part 1 Criteria for Determining Awards Part Proposed Service Area & Population Points 15 (based on geographic need and program coverage) Experience and Expertise of Legal Service Team 25 Proposed Program 25 Impact of the Proposed Program 25 Partnership Strategies 10 Section II: Proposal Information Part 1 PROPOSED AREAS OF SERVICE & POPULATIONS SERVED (15 points) a. List the Maryland jurisdictions you propose to serve. b. Describe the demographics of the client base you served last year through this program. If this is a new program, describe the demographics of the client base you anticipate serving through this program. c. Are you proposing to serve non-English speaking households? If so, describe your current capacity and experience for doing so. d. Are you proposing to serve any special needs populations such as the elderly, veterans or the disabled? If so, describe your current capacity and experience for doing so. Section II: Proposal Information Part 1 EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE: (25 points) a. Describe your organization’s mission and experience, highlighting the accomplishments of major programs that relate to foreclosure prevention or protection of tenants’ rights. b. How many attorneys will your organization have providing services related to foreclosure prevention or protection of tenants’ rights and what percentage of their time will be spent on those activities? c. If you rely upon the legal expertise of existing staff, describe their legal experience and provide resumes. d. If you rely upon the legal expertise of staff that will be hired, describe the minimum and desired qualities for the new position and provide a position description. e. If you rely upon the legal expertise of third parties, describe the legal experience and qualifications of those third parties. Section II: Proposal Information Part 1 PROPOSED PROGRAM / CAPACITY: (25 points) a. Describe the program for which you are seeking funding, including the types of legal services you plan to offer. b. If this is a renewal or expansion of the program(s) you conducted in the last fiscal year, describe the level of outputs(activities or people served) and the outcomes achieved last year (the difference your program made for consumers served). c. List the key leadership, program staff and volunteers that will be engaged in the program including their experience, education and training. Also provide resumes of key personnel. d. Describe any new positions you propose to add to the program and provide position descriptions. e. What organizational assets do you have in place that will be key to supporting a successful program (such as technology, Board leadership, volunteer networks, etc.)? f. Describe the ways in which you plan to leverage any grant funds with other resources and funds. g. Over what period of time do you plan to offer these services? Section II: Proposal Information Part 1 PROPOSED PROGRAM / CAPACITY: (25 points) – Continued Please complete the program staff chart below. If you are seeking a renewable grant, provide the information for each proposed grant year. Current Program Staff Name/Title/Email/Phone FTE/PT FTE = 1 Name/Title/Email/Phone PT = .5 Additional Staff for Request Name (If currently employed)/ Title Name (If currently employed)/ Title Section II: Proposal Information Part 1 PROPOSED PROGRAM / IMPACT: (25 points) a. Describe your Program goals, including specific and realistic annual outputs (activities) and outcomes (impact) your program will accomplish over the next three years. b. How does this compare to what was accomplished in FY12? (The answer to this question should specifically include how many people you served in FY12 in foreclosure prevention and/or protection of tenants’ rights and how many you are proposing to serve in FY13-FY15, including description of the kinds of outcomes these clients achieved or will achieve as a result of your organization’s assistance.) c. What are the key challenges to achieving these goals (besides full funding), and how will you address these challenges? d. What specific performance indicators/metrics will you track to evaluate progress toward your goals? Reporting Monthly reports that illustrate progress toward goals Report design TBD, but will relate to the goals and performance indicators in proposal Annual renewal of grant will be based on performance and compliance Maintenance of effort and fundraising Section II: Proposal Information Part 1 PARTNERSHIP & COLLABORATION: (10 points) a. What organizations do you collaborate or partner with to serve homeowners and/or tenants affected by foreclosure and why? b. What new organizations do you plan to partner with, if any, in order to strengthen the reach or effectiveness of your program? c. What services related to foreclosure assistance, such as bankruptcy and relocation, does your organization, or the organizations with which you collaborate or partner, provide? Section II: Proposal Information Part 2 Budget Information Available on the Counselors Portal at: http://mdhope.dhcd.maryland.gov/Counseling/Pages/Coun selorsPortal.aspx Or on the DHCD Website at: http://www.mdhousing.org/website/documents/RFP%20b udget%20FINAL.xlsx Note: Tab 2 has a sample budget Multiyear Budget Form Sources & Uses ACTUAL FY12 PROJECTED FY13 PROJECTED FY14 PROJECTED FY15 Past Year Year Year Year One Two Three TOTAL SOURCES MHCF/AG Settlement (THIS REQUEST) - Prior Rounds: (pro-rate any remaining $'s) - DHCD-MHCF Supplemental, FY12 - DHCD-MHCF, FY 12 - DHCD- NFMC 5, 6, 7, 8 - Local Jurisdiction (Name each Agency) - Local Jurisdiction (Name each Agency) - Foundation (Name each Foundation) - Foundation (Name each Foundation) - Fees - Individuals - Corporations - Add additional Lines as needed SUB-TOTAL, SOURCES - - - - - USES Multiyear Budget Form ACTUAL PROJECTED PROJECTED PROJECTED FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 TOTAL PERSONNEL USES/EXPENSES - Staff Salaries Benefits (Percentage) SUB-TOTAL, PERSONNEL - - - - - NON - PERSONNEL USES/EXPENSES - Technology Rent Telephone Postage Printing Legal Fees Consultant(s) Training Accounting/Audit Add additional lines as needed. SUB -TOTAL, NON PERSONNEL - - - - - TOTAL USES (PERSONNEL + NON-PERSONNEL) - - - - - - - - - - Net (Total Sources minus Uses) Section III: Technology Requests NOTE: NO POINTS Describe your proposed technology enhancement for foreclosure prevention and/or protection of tenants’ rights. Include details on the purpose of hardware, software and other technologies needed to implement the project. a. Describe how your proposed technology enhancement would improve the overall effectiveness of your legal services to homeowners and tenants affected by the foreclosure crisis. b. Describe the extent to which the proposed technology enhancement will be used for foreclosure prevention and/or assistance to tenants and whether it will be used for other activities of your organization. Section IV: Documents New Documents • IRS 501c3 Determination Letter • Certificate of Compliance with Maryland Solicitations Act – Can be found at: http://www.sos.state.md.us/Charity/SearchCharit y.aspx – Type in the group’s name and print off the page that states they are in compliance. Frequently Asked Questions • Certificate of Good Standing is NOT needed – simply print from SDAT website to prove you are in Good Standing with Maryland. • Board Resolution and Incumbency Certificate can be combined. Please be sure of amount is for 3 year period. • Signatory must be listed as Officer • Be sure to Fill in Resident Agent