Stable Housing Accountability Program FAQs

  • When will SHAP funds be awarded?

    SHAP award letters will be sent out prior to January 1, 2025.

  • When is the application due?

    The application is due November 25, 2024, at 11:59:59 pm.

  • Are there targeted areas for this funding?

    No. There are no targeted areas. The goal is to show that we are providing services to individuals throughout the state.

  • Is this a one-time funding opportunity?

    No. This funding is for a 12-month period with the expectation of renewals pending Georgia legislative approval. However, applicants will be required to apply each year for funding. An applicant is not guaranteed to receive funding if they received funding the prior year.

  • Do the people have to come to the provider through DCA?

    No. These clients are the providers’ clients with whom h thy eyes are already providing homelessness services. DCA will not have any client involvement or be providing direct services to clients.

  • Is this a reimbursable grant or drawn down?

    This is a reimbursable grant. The provider would have to show that they have eligible expenditures and DCA would reimburse the provider for those eligible expenses.

  • Are providers required to use the federal definition of homeless?

    Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is a local information technology system used to collect client-level data and data on the provision of housing and services to individuals and families at risk of and experiencing homelessness. Each Continuum of Care (CoC) is responsible for selecting an HMIS software solution that complies with HUD’s data collection, management, and reporting standards.

  • If we have not opened our agency yet, are we still able to apply for funding?

    Yes. If you have already formed your business entity with the Georgia Secretary of State and have an EIN with the U.S. government, you can apply for assistance although your agency has not yet opened. Your agency will have to be operational after January 1, 2025, and be able to expend funds before December 31, 2025.

  • What is the match requirement?

    There is a match requirement of 10%. The 10% can either be in cash or in-kind or a combination of both.

  • Does the project narrative have to be 25 pages?

    No. The project narrative does not have to be 25 pages. It can be less than 25 pages, but it cannot exceed 25 pages. The 25-page limit requirement only applies to the project narrative and does not include supporting documentation.

  • Do all funds have to be exhausted by December 31, 2025?

    Yes, all funds will have to be expended by December 31, 2025.

  • Will there be any extensions available if all funds are not exhausted by December 31, 2025?

    No, there will be no extensions if all funds are not exhausted by December 31, 2025. Any remaining funds will be recaptured and/or reallocated by DCA.

  • How will program receive referrals for the program? Will referrals be sent through CES?

    There will be no referrals specifically for SHAP sent through CES, however, the funds can be used for someone who was referred to your program through CES as long as there is no duplication of services. The program can also assist clients the provider already has or clients that are already coming to your agency for typical services through other means.

  • Is the $850,000 budget for all applicants?

    No. The $850,000 is the maximum funding available to all applicants and it will be allocated among the people who are award funding with a minimum award of $25,000 per applicant.

  • Who will approve these awards?

    The State Housing Trust Fund Commission for the Homeless will approve these awards based on the recommendations of the DCA application review team.

  • If a participant fails a drug test, does this mean they cannot participate in this program?

    Per statute, if there is a failed drug test, the expectation would be that the participant no longer participates in the SHAP program.

  • Can a provider just provide beds or does the provider have to provide apartments or houses?

    The provider can provide beds for participants in addition applicants are required to meet the minimum requirements for certification as a Stable Housing Accountability Program as outlined in section “F” in the NOFA and must be using the funds for one or more of the eligible services listed under section “G” in the NOFA.

  • Is this funding for individuals or organizations?

    This funding is for non-profit and for-profit organizations and local government entities who are sponsoring residential housing projects or stable housing accountability programs as defined in Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 8-3-301 (5).

  • Once funds are awarded, will those agencies information be shared?

    Yes. Once funds have been awarded, the names and award amounts for those providers will be shared and they will be listed on the website as providers of a SHAP.

  • If partial funding is received, will providers be able to decide what portions of their budget the partial funding will apply to?

    Yes. If awarded partial funding, providers will be allowed to submit an amended budget to reallocate funds in their desired budget categories, if needed.

  • Where can a copy of the PowerPoint from the informational sessions be found?

    A copy of the PowerPoint can be found in the Documents and Downloads section of the Stable Housing Accountability Program webpage on the DCA website.

  • If organizations do not provide all the services required, is it allowable to show that they are in partnership with those organizations that provide the services needed?

    Yes. Applicants are encouraged to partner with other organizations to provide the necessary services to qualify as a SHAP. The Applicant will need to provide a letter from the organizations that they intend to partner with at the time of application submission if there is not an executed MOU available for submission with the application at that time. However, applicants will be required to provide an executed MOU between the applicant and the partner agency if funds are awarded to the proposed project.

  • What type of Annual Financial Audit is required? Does the financial audit need to be completed by a certified accountant?

    The financial audit should be completed by a reputable accounting firm and these firms traditionally have certified public accountants completing their audits. Applicants should submit the most recent annual audit completed for the organization. If the organization is new or not yet functioning, the organization should submit their standard financials documents (profit and loss statement, balance sheet, etc.) and/or a copy of the projected budget for the organization and project including current revenue sources.

  • Is there an implementation date for the providers to get the program started?

    Yes. Programs are expected to be ready to accept clients starting January 1, 2025.

  • If a provider, ask for $850k can they be awarded less based on their application or will they either be approved or denied for that amount?

    A provider can be awarded the amount of their funding request or a less amount of funding than requested. If the provider is awarded partial funding, the provider will be allowed to submit an amended budget to reallocate funds in their desired budget categories, if needed.

  • Is it a requirement to have housing that accommodates children?

    It is not a requirement to have housing that accommodates children.

  • Is it a requirement to accept children into the program?

    There is not a requirement that there be children. However, if there are children in the family unit, the provider would need to meet the requirements for a minor child as required by SHAP guidelines and state statute.

  • How can the nutrition requirement be fulfilled by a provider?

    It will be an affidavit that the Applicant will complete asking if the participant has children and if the children are experiencing food insecurity. If the participants admit that they ate food insecure, the case manager must refer them to the appropriate resources for assistance and document their efforts in HMIS.

  • For DV agencies that currently utilize a DV comparable HMIS, we will be required to make separate entries into DCA's version of the protected HMIS, correct?

    DV agencies will be required to enter information into the separate section of the DCA HMIS portal designated for DV survivors in addition to their own DV databases, if any.

  • What will be the reporting parameters for reimbursement?

    All reporting requirements will be included in the final grant agreement and will require submission of the included grant voucher for payment in addition to other standard homelessness reporting requirements through HMIS.

  • Who can apply for funding?

    Non-profit and for-profit organizations and local government entities who are sponsoring residential housing projects or stable housing accountability programs as defined in Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 8-3-301 (5) are eligible to apply for funding. In addition, they should be able to meet the minimum threshold requirements to apply for funding and the minimum requirements for certification as a Stable Housing Accountability Program as outlined in the NOFA.

  • Is the available funding $25,000 to $850,00 per applicant?

    No. The $850,000 is the maximum funding available to all applicants and it will be allocated among the people who are award funding with a minimum award of $25,000 per applicant.

  • Does this program allow the applicant to request funds to pay First month rent, Rental Deposit, and Utility Payments and/or deposits in order to facilitate stable housing?

    No. Applicants are required to meet the minimum requirements for certification as a Stable Housing Accountability Program as outlined in section “F” in the NOFA and must be using the funds for one or more of the eligible services listed under section “G” in the NOFA.

  • There are several proposed housing services listed in the announcement. Are applicants to choose amongst the listed services the service they wish to provide or are they required to have all services available for participants?

    Applicants are required to meet the minimum requirements for certification as a Stable Housing Accountability Program as outlined in section “F” in the NOFA and must be using the funds for one or more of the eligible services listed under section “G” in the NOFA.

  • What are the reporting requirements?

    All reporting requirements will be included in the final grant agreement and will require submission of the included grant voucher for payment in addition to other standard homelessness reporting requirements through HMIS.

  • Can a public housing authority apply for this funding?

    It would depend on how the public housing authority is structured and whether the public housing authority can honor its commitments to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Each organization should discuss this grant opportunity and its requirements with their contact at HUD to determine if they are able to apply. DCA cannot provide advice on this issue.

  • Can a domestic violence provider serving both men and women apply for funding?

    Yes. If they are able to meet the requirements that are listed in the NOFA.

  • Is there a minimum stay required for participants?

    No. There is not a minimum stay required for participants, however, the participants’ stays cannot exceed 18 months.

  • Are providers required to give drug and alcohol screens?

    No. Providers are not required to administer the drug and alcohol screens or testing themselves, however, they must ensure that the alcohol and drug screens are taking place as required by statute. Providers are allowed to contract out these services and include the cost of these services in their proposed budget.

  • Are providers not required to drug and alcohol screen due to the housing first model?

    Provider are required to do drug and alcohol screenings or testing as outlined in the NOFA. This grant opportunity is for state funding that is not premised on adopting the Housing First Model.

  • Are there any geographic requirements other than the provided having to be located in Georgia?

    No. There are not any other geographic requirements other than the homelessness services must be provided in Georgia.

  • Can a non-profit use this funding to assist families in securing housing?

    Yes, as listed under section “D” in the NOFA.

  • How frequently will the common areas/ residential areas inspections happen?

    Common areas/residential areas will be inspected by DCA a minimum of twice a year.

  • How frequently will program participants have to be drug tested?

    Testing would need to occur for participants once every three months to include the initial testing.

  • If a provider only applies for operational or capital expenses, do the program participant requirements still apply?

    Yes.

  • If an organization applies for operational or capital expenditures for an emergency shelter, do the shelter residents, are they still required to go through the drug testing room inspections, job search requirement?

    Yes. The applicant must be able to provide those supportive services required by participants and meet all of the requirements of the SHAP.

  • Can participate be limited to a 30-day maximum stay with this funding?

    Yes, there is no minimum stay requirement and the maximum stay requirement can be any amount of time from one day to 18 months as long as it does not exceed 18 months.

  • Can the funding be used for land acquisition for transitional housing or for capital improvements to existing facilities?

    SHAP funding cannot be used for land acquisition but can be used for capital improvements to existing facilities.

  • If a provider is not currently using HMIS, are they allowed to apply for funding if they are willing to start using HMIS?

    Yes.

  • Do you need to be a 501 (c) 3 to apply?

    No. Non-profit and for-profit organizations and local government entities who are sponsoring residential housing projects or stable housing accountability programs as defined in Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 8-3-301 (5) are eligible to apply for funding. In addition, they should be able to meet the minimum threshold requirements to apply for funding and the minimum requirements for certification as a Stable Housing Accountability Program.

  • Can providers assist families with obtaining housing along with providing the required eligible services?

    Yes.

  • For domestic violence agencies, would this funding be approved for non- domestic violence victims?

    Yes, as long as the program meets the minimum requirements for certification as a stable housing accountability program and the program is using funds for one or more of the eligible services listed in the NOFA.

  • Does this grant cover the justice involved?

    Yes. If the applicant can demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the Stable Housing Accountability Program as outlined in the NOFA.

  • For a domestic violence agency using this with transitional housing, would clients be in HMIS under the domestic violence client category or in HMIS under the homeless category?

    Individuals seeking homelessness services under the SHAP who are experiencing domestic violence will be entered under the domestic violence category for tracking purposes in HMIS.

  • If a provider has multiple locations. Could the funds be used for both locations? Should a provider submit two applications?

    If the locations are registered under the same EIN number, then any awarded funds can be used for multiple locations and only one grant application should be submitted. It must be outlined in the grant application that the funds would be used for multiple locations and how the funds will be used at these multiple locations. If the locations do not use the same EIN number, then applicants will need to submit separate applications for each unique EIN number.

  • Is there any conflict of interest for providers who have to abide by HUD funding to receive SHAP funding?

    DCA cannot provide advice on this issue. Each provider should contact their agency contact at HUD to determine if there is a conflict of interest if the provider accepts an award for SHAP funding.

  • Will this program support a re-entry program?

    Re-entry participants are eligible for assistance through SHAP funding as long as it does not conflict with the program criteria or other state or federal agency requirements eligible to or required by the participants. DCA cannot provide advice on this issue as it relates to any impact on federal funding received by a re-entry provider. Each provider should contact their agency contact at HUD or any other state or federal agency providing their funding for re-entry services to determine if there is a conflict of interest if the provider accepts an award for SHAP funding.

  • Is there a minimum number of participants required in the housing program/facility to apply?

    No.

  • Does the program have to be a new program, or can it be an existing program to apply for funding?

    It can be a new program or an existing program.

  • Where is the application located?

    The application can be found here: https://gn.ecivis.com/GO/gn_redir/T/x39z7yw8mv9j. Please also see the Documents and Downloads section under the Stability Housing Accountability Program webpage on the DCA website for additional information on completing the SHAP application.

  • Can a provider submit financial statements accompanied by a letter from the CEO in lieu of an audit?

    Yes. A provider can submit financial statements (i.e. profit and loss statement, balance sheet, etc.) accompanied by a letter from the CEO in lieu of an audit but the provider will need to provide the rationale for why there is no audit available for submission.

  • Who will be the contact person for this grant?

    All inquiries should be submitted to [email protected]. The contact person for this grant is Ashlei Seals, Office Director of the State Housing Trust Fund Commission for the Homeless.

  • What form should be used for Applicant’s budget?

    The excel budget template should be used to formulate the applicant’s budget. It can be found here: https://dca.georgia.gov/affordable-housing/state-housing-trust-fund-homeless/stable-housing-accountability-program/shap

  • In the announcement, it states that an applicant should remain in the program for not less than 18 months, unless they are able to acquire stable housing prior to the eighteen (18) month period. Does this mean that the program is funded for eighteen (18)

    An applicant should only propose a 12-month budget using the budget template provided. It should also be noted that there is no minimum stay requirement for participants and the maximum stay requirement for participants can be any amount of time from one day to 18 months as long as it does not exceed 18 months if they are receiving assistance through SHAP funding either directly or indirectly.