Drug Overdose Prevention
Related Topics
Drug Overdose Prevention Housing RFP FAQ
Questions and answers for the Minnesota Community-Based Overdose Prevention Grant: Supportive Housing RFP will be posted here.
Q: Can we build a new recovery housing facility with the RFP funding?
A: See pages 11 and 12 of the RFP. Land acquisition and construction costs are unallowable expenses under this grant program.
Q: How many grants will be awarded?
A: See page five of the RFP. Two to four grants will be awarded. A total of $1,275,000 with an estimated award max up to $637,000.
Q: What should be included in the letter of intent?
A: See page six of the RFP. The letter of Intent is not required but encouraged to help the agency determine how many applicants will be submitting proposals to better prepare for the reviewing process. There are no required components in the letter of intent. The content provided is determined by the applicant. There is no scoring component to the letter of intent.
Q: To be eligible for services, does a person have to be receiving Medical Assistance? Or is being in reentry sufficient?
A: A person does not have to be receiving Medical Assistance to be eligible for services through the grant.
Q: We do not currently operate housing and therefore would likely be applying under activity 3: Provide Housing Services to Help People Transition and Sustain Housing. If we want to engage partners so we can apply under more than one area, is that OK?
A: An applicant can apply to provide services in any or all of the 3 categories. Developing a project that incorporates more than one of the categories is allowable. Collaborations with other organizations is also allowable.
Q: If we are only in area 3 and do not directly provide housing ourselves, can we still apply to be a MN Medical Assistance Housing Stabilization Services Enrollment provider, so we can assist our participants in getting housing support?
A: Yes. A program that wants to enroll in Housing Stabilization Services is encouraged to enroll as a Housing Stabilization Services provider. Also, enrolled Housing Stabilization providers can apply for the grant under area 3.
Q: Is there any anticipated cost per participant for this RFP?
A: The budget is at the discretion of the applicant. Please review the eligible and ineligible expense sections on page 11 and 12. Please note the 10% budget limit on funding to help clients transition to housing.
Q: If we do something like offer “Finding Housing After a Felony” workshops to reach participants that are open to the public, how much do we need to track people who only come to a workshop but don’t actually enroll?
A: The applicant will develop their outcomes and how they plan to track/measure the outcomes as part of their application. It is at the applicant’s discretion to develop this plan in accordance with the grant objectives.
Q: If we are helping people navigate into housing, do we need to navigate them into sober housing or recovery housing? Or is any safe, stable housing acceptable?
A: Individuals receiving housing navigation under this grant program have the right to choose the housing best suited to their situation.
Q: Are County Governments included within the category of Social Service Organizations that would be an eligible applicants for this grant?
A: Yes, a county governmental agency would be an eligible applicant.
Q: What kind of expenses would fit into this "transition" category: rental application costs? Security deposits? First and last month's rent? Moving expenses? Travel?
A: See page 11. This category includes direct expenses that help clients transition to housing. Eligible expenses include: application fees, security deposits, move-in supplies, etc. Applicants could include first/last month’s rent, moving expenses, or travel costs associated with supporting clients transitioning to housing. No more than 10% of the budget can be utilized in this category.
Q: Is this 10% separate from rent, room, and board? This appears to be the case, as seen in the example budget, but I wanted to confirm it.
A: Daily, weekly, monthly room and board costs are not included in the 10% budget limit for expenses to help clients transition to housing.
Q: If an organization has a grant from the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to provide chemical dependency treatment for former inmates reentering from the Shakopee and Faribault facilities. Would the organization be able to serve those same individuals through this recovery-oriented housing services contract? Under our proposal, individuals would receive SAMHSA-funded chemical dependency treatment in addition to Minnesota Health-funded services for accessing recovery-oriented housing.
A: Provided there is no duplication of services or funding, individuals receiving SAMHSA-funded chemical dependency treatment would also be eligible to receive recovery-oriented housing services through this grant program. Grant dollars cannot supplant any county, state, or federal funding.
Q: Will this funding be renewable?
A: At this time, the funding is set to expire on September 30, 2025.
Q: If an organization wants to apply in more than one category does this need to be separate grant proposals?
A: One application can include activities in any or all of the categories.
Q: If an organization were to acquire property for housing, would this grant allow for the acquisition costs and/or mortgage payments? Q: If an organization were to acquire property for housing, would this grant allow for the acquisition costs and/or mortgage payments?
A: See pages 10-12 of the RFP. An organization cannot acquire land, property, and/or assets, which includes acquisition costs with the grant funds. The grant will not cover the mortgage payment loan used to purchase land, maintain a home/building, or any other types of real estate.
Q: Does an organization need to exclusively serve individuals with corrections involvement?
A: An organization does not need to exclusively serve those who are corrections-involved. However, funding for this grant is for services and staffing to support those who are corrections-involved and have a substance use disorder. *
* Answer Updated 6/27/2023
Q: If we are working in the category PROVIDE HOUSING can we use funds to cover split rental costs on sober housing units? For example, the participant pays 50% and the provider pays 50%.
A: The budget is at the discretion of the applicant. The applicant can develop a program and a budget that meets the needs of the priority population.
Q: Can you further define “minor repairs that do not add value to the property” in the category of EXPANDING HOUSING? Would the following qualify as minor repairs?
Repair or replace roof, windows or siding to maintain the property?
Repair or replace mechanicals like heating/cooling, electrical or plumbing, as needed to keep the property safe and functional or to bring it up to code for group or rental housing.
Adding a dividing wall, door or egress window to create more usable space finishing an unfished area (i.e. basement, attic) to create more usable space
A: Yes, these are allowable expenses if its purpose is to increase the units available. Any improvements of $2,000 or more must follow the Davis Bacon Act and the Byrd Anti-Kickback Act. Any expense over $5,000 will need prior written approval.
Q: Are major appliances such as stove, fridge, washer/dryer etc. eligible costs for an expansion project?
A: Anything worth $5,000 per item that has a useful life of 1 year or more is considered equipment and is not allowable.
Q: For larger expenses such as repairs, furniture, or appliances, are we required to get bids? If so, is there guidance on this?
A: Any improvements of $2,000 or more must follow the Davis Bacon Act and the Byrd Anti-Kickback Act. Anything worth $5,000 per item that has a useful life of 1 year or more is considered equipment and is not allowable.
Q: Are there any minimum qualifications or titles you require the service providers to have?
A: See page 6. Applicants must be registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Applicants must have state or federal tax ID and have a recognition as a formal organization or entity, as designated by a Federal Employer Identification Number. Applicants must not be on the state or federal suspended/disbarred list. Applicants must be located and conduct grant activities in the state of Minnesota. MDH requires applicants to fill out the Due Diligence Review Form Attachment E, pre-award assessments of all grant recipients prior to award of funds in accordance with federal, state and agency policies. The Due Diligence Review is an important part of this assessment. These reviews allow MDH to better understand the capacity of applicants and identify opportunities for technical assistance to those that receive grant funds
Q: Can this program double up with housing stabilization services through MA or is this meant to fill in the gaps HHS has?
A: It is unclear of the meaning of your phrase “double up”. However, see page 6 collaborations between organizations are welcome. See page 11. Grant expenses must not be duplicated with any other federal, state, or county programs such as Housing Support, Housing Stabilization Services, or other Minnesota Health Care Programs. Funds may be used for covered services prior to a person meeting eligibility for Housing Stabilization Services or for those who do not meet eligibility.
Q: The provider must have the “ability and capacity to manage federal funds and/or a grant from MDH”. Does this simply mean have the ability to manage finances or is there some special qualification a provider needs to have to manage money from these sources.
A: See page 6. Applicants must be registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Applicants must have state or federal tax ID and have a recognition as a formal organization or entity, as designated by a Federal Employer Identification Number. Applicants must not be on the state or federal suspended/disbarred list. Applicants must be located and conduct grant activities in the state of Minnesota. Applicants must comply with Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (commonly called "Uniform Guidance").
Q: We do not have a MN tax id (although we do have a federal EIN). We have used the owner’s social security number for tax purposes per regulation. Is that okay to put on the application form as well in lieu of a MN tax ID? Or should we obtain one?
A: Applicants must be registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Applicants must have state or federal tax ID and have a recognition as a formal organization or entity, as designated by a Federal Employer Identification Number. Applicants must not be on the state or federal suspended/disbarred list. Applicants must be located and conduct grant activities in the state of Minnesota. It should be noted that if an organization has employees in the state of MN they must obtain a MN state tax ID.
Q: For the purposes of this RFP, is it sufficient for individuals accessing housing services to self-identify as experiencing substance use disorder, or is a formal assessment required to establish whether or not they have a substance use disorder?
A: The funding for this grant is for services and staffing to support those who are corrections-involved and have a substance use disorder (SUD). SUD can be self-identified or identified through a formal assessment.
Q: Funds for Expanding Recovery-Oriented Housing include “furnishings for a new property” among the listed eligible expenses. Are there any limitations on eligible furnishings? For example, could it include furniture for private units and common areas, equipment, and household items for units (e.g., shower curtains, kitchen pots and pans, etc.)?
A: Anything worth $5,000 per item that has a useful life of 1 year or more is considered equipment and is not allowable. Furnishings for a new property is an eligible expense if the purpose is to increase the units available.
Q: Housing stabilization services can provide a lot of things for a client (the list is here: Housing Stabilization Services). Will this grant cover all of those things and function the same way except for the payment source?
Q: Can clients temporarily leave where they are being held within the corrections system in order to view housing prior to their release?
A: If the individual is incarcerated, they will not be able to leave to view housing. However, if a person is incarcerated in a Minnesota correctional facility, a person could potentially participate in a virtual touring option if arranged with a corrections professional.
Q: Does the grant cover translators, rent, moving expenses, food, utilities, furnishing, and kitchenware for clients? And if so, are there any limits around this?
A: These are allowable expenses apart from food. See page 11. Food and beverages are ineligible expenses (other than room/board costs). Funding to help clients transition to housing is an allowable expense. Examples include application fees, security deposits, move-in supplies, etc.; no more than 10% of the budget can be utilized in this category.
Q: Does application A refer to the organization as a whole or to an organization housing stabilization department?
A: Attachment A should be filled out by the organization who will enter into a legal agreement with MDH, if awarded.
Q. Are there any minimum qualifications or titles you require the employees providing the services and performing the work to have?
A. This would be dependent on the work being proposed. Please follow the national and state licensure or certifications requirements and qualifications for the work being proposed.
Q. The DOC will be referring people to the contracted providers. Will any of these individuals be eligible for housing stabilization services through medical assistance or is the grant meant to cover all expenses for housing services?
A: The grant cannot duplicate HSS services. If a provider is enrolled in HSS, they would use HSS for any service HSS can provide and then use grant dollars for services proposed by the program that are not available under HSS.
Q: If a provider is already providing housing stabilization services and also receives this grant, can the housing stabilization services department also administer this grant? If so, this would be reflected in the budget, as some costs between the two programs could be shared. Would it be useful to show these efficiencies in the proposed budget or would it be best to separate the two?
A: Housing Stabilization Services providers are eligible to apply. The grant cannot duplicate HSS services. If a provider is enrolled in HSS, they would use HSS for any service HSS can provide and then use grant dollars for services proposed by the program that are not available under HSS. Applicant's budget should reflect costs that are not available under HSS. Please use the workplan, budget, and narrative sections to clearly outlay your plan to provide and pay for services provided.
Q: Approximately how many people per year is this grant intended to help? What is an ideal average cost per person helped or number of hours per person.
A: The grant program has not set a number of individuals or ideal cost or number of hours per person. These decisions are at the discretion of the applicant.
Q: What proportion of the clients have misdemeanors and what proportion have felonies?
A: Refer to page 4. This grant partners with Department of Corrections release planners and may serve all correction systems involved people within the community to prevent homelessness upon release, improve stability upon reentry, and ensure that the recently released individual is able to access recovery support services as soon as possible. For more information on supervision please refer to DOC's community supervision and reentry page.
Q. If a provider is applying for the grant to Provide Housing Services to Help People Transition and Sustain Housing, can that organization pay clients' rent with grant money to a housing provider, or does the housing provider need to be awarded the grant?
A: Refer to page 6. Collaboration is welcomed and encouraged. You will need to designate a fiscal agent and provide financial documentation if awarded.
Q: Can award be used for housing payments be paid to the applicant?
A: Refer to page 10. Eligible projects must submit financial documentation on all work done on the grant. For a list of eligible applicants please refer to page 6 of the RFP
Q: Is this funding renewable after the two-year period?
A: At this time, the funding is set to expire on September 30, 2025.
Q: What is the minimum amount that can be applied for?
A: The grant program has not set a minimum amount -- these decisions are at the discretion of the applicant.
Q: If funds are not spent in the first year, do they roll over to the second year?
A: Yes, funds do roll over, however, the grant will end on September 30, 2025.
Q: Can the grant be used to pay for housing consultation services (the RFP says only housing transition and sustaining services.
A: No, housing consultation work cannot be paid for by this grant. Housing consultation is a component of Housing Stabilization Services to help people get on HSS. It doesn’t have standalone benefit for a person. If a person is going to get on HSS post discharge they will need the plan completed by an enrolled housing consultant to be submitted by the housing consultant as part of the person’s HSS application. The housing consultant can then bill for the work they did through Medicaid. If the grant also paid for this work it would create a duplication in funding.