Notice of Funding Availability for Training and Technical Assistance for the Prevention of Youth Violence in Public Housing

summary: This NOFA solicits applications for a single two-year grant of

up to $500,000. The grant is being awarded for the purposes of

developing and implementing training and technical assistance (TA) for

the prevention of youth violence in Public Housing. The TA and training

are intended to assist public housing communities in conducting youth

violence prevention activities and in using the most relevant

scientific information when doing so. HUD is joining with the Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention in this effort.

dates: Applications must be received at HUD Headquarters at the address

below on or before 3 p.m., Eastern Time, July 17, 1995. This

application deadline is firm as to date and hour. In the interest of

fairness of all competing applicants, the Department will treat as

ineligible for consideration any application that is received after the

deadline. Applicants should take this practice into account and make

early submission of their materials to avoid any risk of loss of

eligibility brought about by any unanticipated or delivery-related

problems. Applications received after the deadline will not be

considered. A FAX is not acceptable.

application submission: An original and two copies of the application

must be received by the deadline date at HUD Headquarters. Applications

(originals and two copies) should be sent to the Crime Prevention and

Security Division of the Office of Community Relations and Involvement

(OCRI), Public and Indian Housing, Department of Housing and Urban

Development, Room 4116, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410-

0500.

for further information, contact: Elizabeth A. Cocke, Crime Prevention

and Security Division (CPSD), Office of Community Relations and

Involvement (OCRI), Public and Indian Housing, Department of Housing

and Urban Development, Room 4116, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Washington,

DC 20410, telephone (202) 708-1197. A telecommunications device for

hearing or speech impaired persons (TDD) is available at (202) 708-

0850. (These are not toll-free telephone numbers.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement

The information collection requirements contained in this notice

have been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review

under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C.

3501-3520) and have been assigned OMB control number 2577-0197,

expiration date May 31, 1997.

I. Purpose and Substantive Description

(a) Authority

This grant is authorized under Chapter 2, Subtitle C, Title V of

the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 11901 et seq.), as amended

by Section 581 of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 (approved

November 28, 1990, Pub. L. 101-625) (NAHA), and Section 161 of the

Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-550,

approved October 28, 1992) (1992 HCD Act).

(b) Allocation Amounts

The Department of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban

Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act 1995 (approved

September 28, 1994, Pub. Law 103-327) (95 App. Act) appropriated $290

million for the Drug Elimination Program. Of the total $290 million

appropriated, $10 million will fund drug elimination TA, contracts and

other assistance training, program assessments, and associated costs

(such as the cost of necessary travel for training participants). This

NOFA makes up to $550,000 of the $10 million available for a cost-

reimbursable grant of two years in duration.

(c) Eligibility

Organizations or combinations of organizations that can demonstrate

experience and capability in youth violence prevention activities,

scientific reviews, needs assessments, development and delivery of

instructional materials, project monitoring and successful health

promotion/disease prevention interaction with Pubic Housing Agencies

(PHAs) or Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in low-income

communities are eligible to apply.

(d) Background

Youth violence has become one of the greatest health problems in

the United States. During the period from 1979 to 1991, homicide was

the leading cause of death among African Americans 15 to 34 years of

age and the second leading cause of death among African American youth

10 to 14 years of age. Risk factors such as poverty, hopelessness, low

self esteem and discrimination are recognized as major factors

contributing to youth violence.

A large proportion of teenagers in public housing are engaged in a

constellation of high risk behaviors. A 1993 study of public housing

drug, violent, and property crime rates in Los Angeles, Phoenix and

Washington, DC showed that rates for these activities were considerably

higher in public housing developments than citywide, and much higher

than in large urban communities (Dunworth and Saiger, Rand Study,

1993).

HUD and the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC) are soliciting applications for a single two-year grant of up to

$550,000. The purpose of the grant is to assist public housing staff

and residents in applying the results of current scientific research to

the prevention of youth violence in pubic housing communities.

The HUD-CDC collaboration will increase the use of scientifically

supported youth violence prevention activities in public housing

developments. This is to be accomplished by the development and

implementation of a system to provide scientifically based information,

training, and other forms of technical assistance (TA) to PHAs

throughout the United States. The effort will: (a) Determine the amount

and type of youth violence prevention activities currently undertaken

by PHAs; (b) determine the tools required by PHAs to augment both the

quality and quantity of youth violence prevention activities; (c)

develop a system to deliver TA to PHAs; and (d) implement and monitor

the TA delivery system. In addition, the project will assist the

research community in identifying and addressing youth violence

prevention issues related to public housing.

(e) Grant Objectives

(1) First Year Objectives

(i) Develop, administer, and maintain an advisory group: This group

at minimum should include representatives from PHA staff and residents

(including young PHA residents), academia, CBOs, pubic

[[Page 29457]] health practitioners, and youth violence prevention

program directors.

(ii) Identify and summarize existing PHA youth violence prevention

efforts.

(iii) Identify and summarize the existing capability and need of

PHAs to implement youth violence prevention activities (i.e. conduct a

needs assessment).

(iv) Identify and summarize research on youth violence prevention

pertinent to PHAs.

(v) Develop a realistic plan of action to deliver the TA to PHAs,

thereby enabling the PHAs to implement scientifically based youth

violence prevention activities.

(vi) Develop a plan to monitor and assess the effectiveness of the

TA delivery system.

(vii) Review the plan of action and the findings of the first

year's activities with the advisory group. Revise the plan of action.

(2) Second Year Objectives

(i) Implement the delivery of the TA to the PHAs.

(ii) Monitor the implementation of the TA delivery system.

(iii) Monitor the use of information and materials by the PHAs.

(iv) Review the progress and status of the project with the

advisory group each semi-annual period.

(v) Share these findings with PHAs and the research community.

(f) Scope of Work

(1) General Requirements

(i) The grantee shall furnish all necessary personnel, materials,

services, and equipment. The grantee shall also perform all work

necessary for, or incidental to, the completion of the tasks set forth

in paragraph I.(f)(2) of this NOFA.

(ii) The work to be performed under this grant includes, but is not

limited to: Work with advisory groups; review of the administration and

effectiveness of current PHA youth violence prevention efforts;

provision of TA and training; evaluation of the TA and training; and

submission of regular reports. In addition, the grantee shall attend

one or more advisory group meetings at either HUD or CDC Headquarters

each semi-annual period to provide a summary of the progress on the

grant work.

(2) Specific Requirements

The grantee shall perform the following tasks in accordance with

the grant objectives set forth in paragraph I.(e) of this NOFA.

(i) Task 1--Orientation. Within five working days after the

effective date of the grant, the Project Director and other key

personnel shall attend a meeting at HUD Headquarters in Washington, DC,

for the purpose of establishing an approved grant strategy for

achieving the grant objectives, the scope of the work necessary to

achieve the objectives, and the time frame and methodology for

implementing the grant strategy.

(ii) Task 2--Management and Work Plan. The grantee shall develop a

draft management and work plan that addresses all of the requirements

contained in the approved grant strategy and provide an updated and

detailed work plan for the entire project. This draft work plan and

budget, setting forth the timing of all stages of the project, shall be

submitted to the HUD Government Technical Representative (GTR) for

review and comment within 14 working days after the effective date of

the grant. The plan shall include a detailed allocation of grant

resources, a projected list of PHAs that will receive the TA and

training (the PHAs must be diverse in size and geographic location),

and a schedule for the accomplishment of the grant work. HUD and CDC

shall submit their comments and suggestions to the grantee within ten

working days from receipt of the draft plan. The grantee will submit a

final management and work plan incorporating HUD and CDC's comments and

suggestions within ten working days of having received the comments

from HUD and CDC.

(iii) Task 3: Advisory Group. The grantee shall develop,

administer, and maintain an advisory group. This group should include,

but not be limited to, representatives of PHA staff and residents

(including young PHA residents), academia, community based

organizations, public health practitioners, and youth violence

prevention program directors. The grantee shall submit a final list of

advisory board members, approved by HUD and the CDC, within five weeks

of the award's effective date. The grantee shall assemble and receive

advice from the group within eight weeks of the award, and at least

semi-annually thereafter.

(iv) Task 4: Review Existing Efforts. The grantee shall identify

and summarize PHA youth violence prevention efforts. Furthermore, the

grantee shall work with PHAs to identify existing youth violence

prevention activities, the means by which the PHAs learned of and

selected the activities, and any empirical evidence supporting the

value of those activities. The work shall also determine the level of

PHA knowledge about the value and types of other youth violence

prevention activities that might be implemented, and the interest and

capacity of PHAs to implement such programs.

(v) Task 5: Identify Prevention Research and Programs. The grantee

shall identify and summarize research on youth violence prevention. The

grantee's research will include, but not be limited to, published

scientific articles, work in progress, and government and other agency

publications. The grantee shall highlight findings of its research that

bear directly upon its anticipated work with PHAs, including, but not

limited to, research and programs related to low-income communities,

single-parent families, geographic concentrations of housing in some

communities and scattered site housing in others.

(vi) Task 6: Develop Plan. The grantee shall develop a realistic

plan of action to provide TA and training to PHAs. This will include

working with public housing communities as well as national and

regional organizations to determine the need for and perceived value of

particular youth violence prevention activities. The work will also

include developing effective material and methods for delivering the

necessary TA and training, delivering the TA and training, and

assessing the effectiveness of the delivery system. The plan will

address the following issues, although it will not be limited to them:

working with people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds,

working in low-income communities with limited public space for

meetings and training, overall limited resources in sometimes unsafe

communities, the time and logistical constraints of single-parent

families, and the logistical issues of scattered-site housing in some

instances.

(vii) Task 7: Review Findings and Plan. The grantee shall review

the conclusions and results of the first year's activities with the

advisory group. The purpose of the review will be to develop priorities

for the second year's activities.

(viii) Task 8: Implement Technical Assistance and Training. The

grantee shall, based on the first year's activities, implement the TA

and training strategy for and with public housing staff and residents.

(ix) Task 9: Process Evaluation. After the TA has been delivered,

the grantee shall document the delivery of materials, training, and

other forms of TA to the PHAs. Furthermore, the grantee shall document

the PHAs' acquisition of information and their use of materials and

methods transmitted via TA. [[Page 29458]]

(x) Task 10: Review the Progress. The grantee shall conduct a

semiannual review of the project's progress with the advisory group,

CDC, and HUD. The purpose of the review will be to identify and propose

plans to address any barriers to the implementation of the project.

(xi) Task 11: Distribute findings. The grantee shall develop an

implementation plan to share results with PHAs (staff and residents),

CBOs, academia, youth violence prevention program directors, and other

organizations that may be interested in the results.

(3) CDC Activities

(i) Attend all semiannual progress reviews. Review and offer

assistance in revising the plan of action.

(ii) Provide consultation and technical assistance in the design of

the data collection methods and instruments for the summary of

activities and the needs assessment.

(iii) Assist in data analysis and interpretation.

(iv) Provide scientific information about youth violence

prevention.

(v) Assist in the development and implementation of a reporting

system to monitor program activities.

(vi) Assist in the transfer of information and methods developed in

this project to other PHAs.

(4) HUD Activities

(i) Provide a Government Technical Representative (GTR) and have

full administrative responsibility for the grant.

(ii) Provide technical and programmatic assistance to the advisory

group.

(iii) Provide consultation and TA in the collection of information,

especially in identifying and working with PHAs. These PHAs will

include, but not be limited to, PHAs which are interested in developing

youth violence prevention programs, have youth violence prevention

plans, have implemented youth violence prevention activities, or have

evaluated their youth violence prevention activities.

(iv) Assist in identifying the current methods which PHA staff and

residents are using to identify, choose, and evaluate youth violence

prevention programs.

(v) Provide up-to-date information on any changes in public housing

administration, or general HUD grant administration, which might have

an impact on the implementation of youth violence prevention programs

in public housing.

(vi) Assist in the transfer of information and methods developed in

this grant to PHAs.

(vii) Assist in reviewing the findings of the first year's

activities and the plan of action. Offer assistance in revising the

plan of action.

(g) Selection Criteria

Applications submitted in response to this competitive announcement

will be reviewed by a panel chosen by HUD and CDC representatives,

which will make recommendations to the HUD Assistant Secretary for

Public and Indian Housing. The initial panel will assign numerical

values based on the weighted selection criteria. In the case of a

numerical tie, preference will be given to the applicant with the

highest numerical score for the Fourth Criterion, Quality of the Plan

(see paragraph I. (g)(4) below). The top three to five scoring

applications will then be reviewed and rescored by a secondary panel

chosen by CDC and HUD representatives. The final award will be made by

the HUD Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing. Letters will

be sent to all applicants notifying them that their proposal has been

selected or the reason(s) it was not selected. HUD will then negotiate

the specific terms of the award with the selected applicant.

(1) First Criterion: Corporate and Organizational Capacity (Maximum

Points: 20)

(i) Corporate Capacity. (Maximum Points: 10)

The applicant must provide evidence of corporate and organizational

structures and prior corporate and organizational experience that will

contribute to the successful implementation of the tasks described in

this NOFA. Furthermore, the applicant must demonstrate a commitment to

equal employment opportunity and the ability to work successfully with

culturally diverse groups.

(ii) Administrative Capacity. (Maximum Points: 10)

Applicants must demonstrate the financial capability, organization,

staff size and prior experience that will maximize the effective

implementation of a project of this size and scope. To permit HUD to

make an evaluation on this criterion, the applicant must submit a

detailed budget for the grant program, including the basis for

computation of the costs for each of the outlined tasks. Additionally,

the program budget must be complete, reasonable, and cost-effective in

relation to the proposed program. The applicant must also demonstrate

experience in designing and delivering TA and training on-time and

within budget for other nationwide projects. Applicants should also

submit references from individuals for whom previous work was

completed.

(2) Second Criterion: Staff Qualifications (Maximum Points: 20)

(i) Project Director. (Maximum Points: 10)

The applicant must provide evidence of the Project Director's prior

experience in effectively managing budgets and staffs of a similar size

to those involved with this grant project. This evidence may include

past success in completing youth violence related work of a similar

size and nature on-time and within budget. This evidence may also

include successful past experience in managing staff from culturally

diverse communities. Applicants must also demonstrate their ability to

obtain the cooperation and/or resources of PHA staff and residents,

appropriate researchers and research organizations in order to manage

advisory group meetings and implement programs.

(ii) Project Staff. (Maximum Points: 10)

The applicant must demonstrate the capacity of project staff to

quickly and efficiently organize advisory groups similar to the one

involved in this grant project, undertake scientific literature

reviews, review ongoing public housing activities, conduct needs

assessments, develop TA and training, and monitor the progress of the

project in a professional manner. Staff must demonstrate successful

experience in working with and providing TA to public housing staff and

residents while resolving any substantial issues specific to public

housing programs. Additionally, the applicant must submit evidence of

its capability to work with program and research staff in a manner that

maximizes their interest and participation. Staff must also demonstrate

its ability to work with and maximize cooperation between a diverse

range of clients such as public housing staff, the research community,

law enforcement, and the youth violence prevention community.

(3) Third Criterion: Project Experience (Maximum Points: 30)

(i) The applicant must demonstrate appropriate project experience

in successful interdisciplinary work with the target populations and in

translating technical information into materials of interest to the

targeted groups. Such experience may be demonstrated by positive

evaluations from previous clients and objective reviewers or other

[[Page 29459]] demonstrable positive outcomes of previous youth

violence prevention work. (Maximum Points: 15)

(ii) Applicants must provide evidence of their success in

developing and using a wide variety of methods of providing youth

violence prevention TA and training on a nationwide basis. This

evidence should include both low-cost and state-of-the-art elements and

strategies. In addition, applicants must demonstrate their capacity to

recommend and utilize the most cost-effective and productive

combination of elements and strategies for youth violence prevention

work. (Maximum Points: 15)

(4) Fourth Criterion: Quality of the Plan (Maximum Points: 30)

(i) Goals and Activities. (Maximum Points: 9)

The applicant must demonstrate that the activities in the proposed

plan will result in the completion of the outlined tasks necessary for

achieving the goals of this NOFA.

(ii) Effective Means. (Maximum Points: 9)

The applicant must submit a plan which utilizes effective means in

completing each of the outlined tasks necessary for achieving the goals

of this NOFA. The plan must provide sufficient flexibility to meet

goals developed during the implementation of the project.

(iii) TA and Training. (Maximum Points: 9)

The applicant must submit a plan detailing successful and

appropriate means for TA and training. The methods must be sensitive to

cultural diversity, and must provide for the translation of technical

information into materials of use and interest to both the public

housing and research communities. Furthermore, the activities must be

shown to be readily understood, reasonable, and allow for modifications

as the project is implemented. They must also be proven to be

practical, stimulating and results-oriented.

(iv) Employing, Training and Contracting with Public Housing

Residents and Public Housing Business Concerns. (Maximum Points: 3)

The applicant may submit a plan for training and employing public

housing residents and for contracting with business concerns which

provide economic opportunities to public housing residents. Submission

of such a plan is not mandated by this NOFA. However, those applicants

electing to submit a plan will receive up to 3 points towards their

NOFA application score.

(h) Administrative Requirements

(1) Award Period

The Grant will be cost-reimbursable and awarded for two years.

(2) Cooperative Agreement

After the application has been approved and the grant awarded, HUD

and the applicant shall enter into a Cooperative Agreement (Form HUD-

1044) setting forth the amount of the Cooperative Agreement and its

applicable terms, conditions, financial controls, payment mechanism/

schedule, and special conditions.

II. Checklist of Application Submission Requirements

(a) Each application must include the items listed in the following

format and order:

(1) Cover letter;

(2) Tab 1--Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance.

The SF-424 is the face sheet for the application.

(3) Tab 2--Standard Form 424A, Budget Information for the attached

program plan and narrative. The applicant must provide a detailed

budget for each quarter, with detailed justification for all costs

including the basis for computation of the costs for each of the

outlined tasks. The applicant must also provide a budget for each major

task. The budget should include a narrative explaining the applicant's

financial capability (i.e., the fiscal controls and accounting

procedures which assure that Federal funds will be properly utilized).

(4) Tab 3--Corporate Qualifications: Applicants must fully describe

their corporate structure, their corporate experience in managing a

project of this size and scope, and how their corporate structure and

experience will contribute to the quality and completion of the

proposed work. Applicants must provide evidence of a corporate

commitment to equal employment opportunity, and an ability to adapt to

the unique characteristics of the clients.

(5) Tab 4--Organizational Qualification: Applicants must fully

describe their organizational structure and experience, as well as

their staff size and structure, to demonstrate that they are sufficient

to effectively implement a project of this size and scope. Applicants

should outline a list of housing authorities and research organizations

with which the applicant has worked, the dates and numbers of persons

involved, any current points of contact, and summaries of any work

evaluations.

(6) Tab 5--Staff Qualifications: Applicants must fully describe the

capabilities and work experience of the Project Director, and all key

staff. Applicants must include a staffing plan to fulfill the

requirements of the statement of work, including staff titles and the

staff's related educational and professional background, experience,

and skills; and the time each staff member will be required to

contribute to the project. Applicants must identify the specific

personnel responsible for or working on each task. Applicants should

describe staff experience with youth violence prevention programs,

preferably in public housing. Applicants should describe staff

experience with projects requiring the translation of technical

information into materials of interest and use to the targeted groups,

and the ability to work successfully with culturally diverse

populations.

(7) Tab 6--Project Experience. Applicants must fully describe prior

experience in converting scientific information into usable material,

and in training programs for PHAs or similar groups. Applicants must

demonstrate how the combination of their organizational, staff and

project experience is sufficient to effectively implement a program of

this size and scope. Applicants should outline a list of public housing

communities, low-income communities, or other related organizations

where similar TA and training was provided, the dates of the TA and/or

training, the nature of the TA and/or training, the results of the

evaluations, and any current points of contact regarding the work.

(8) Tab 7--Program Implementation Plan. Applicants must submit a

plan outlining each task and describe how available staff and financial

resources will be allocated to each task. The plan must include an

annotated organizational chart depicting the roles and responsibilities

of key organizational and functional components and a list of key

personnel responsible for managing and implementing the major elements

of the program. There must be a time-task plan which clearly identifies

the major milestones and products, staff assignments to each task, and

schedule for the completion of activities and products. Applicants

should discuss the goals, activities and products of each task

including the efforts to address issues of cultural diversity and

sensitivity, the translation of technical information into useable

materials, and efforts to reach the broadest possible range of

communities. [[Page 29460]]

(9) Tab 8--Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of

Offerors or Quoters.

(i) Certification Regarding Federal Employment.

(ii) Certification of Procurement Integrity.

(iii) Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence

Certain Federal Transactions.

(iv) SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.

(v) Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Proposed

Debarment, and other Responsibility Matters.

(b) The application should be limited to 25 pages, excluding

attachments (e.g., letters of support, data collection forms, resumes,

etc.). All material must be typewritten, single-spaced, with type no

smaller than 10cpi, on 8.5'' x 11'' paper, with at least 1'' margins,

headings, and footers, and printed on one side only.

III. Corrections to Deficient Applications

(a) HUD will notify an applicant, in writing, of any curable

technical deficiencies in the application. The applicant must submit

corrections in accordance with the information specified in HUD's

letter within 14 calendar days from the date of HUD's letter notifying

the applicant of any such deficiency.

(b) Curable technical deficiencies relate to items that:

(i) Are not necessary for HUD review under selection criteria/

ranking factors; and

(ii) Would not improve the quality of the applicant's program

proposal.

IV. Other Matters

(a) Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity

The following nondiscrimination and equal opportunity requirements

apply:

(1) The requirement of title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968

(42 U.S.C. 3600-20) (Fair Housing Act) and implementing regulations

issued at subchapter A of title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations,

as amended by 54 FR 3232 (published January 23, 1989); Executive Order

11063 (Equal Opportunity in Housing) and implementing regulations at 24

CFR part 107; and title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C.

2000d-2000d-4) (Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs) and

implementing regulations issued at 24 CFR part 1;

(2) The Indian Civil Rights Act (title II of the Civil Rights Act

of 1968) (25 U.S.C. 1301-1303) (ICRA) provides that no Indian tribe in

exercising powers of self-government shall deny to any person within

its jurisdiction the equal protection of its laws or deprive any person

of liberty or property without due process of law. The Indian Civil

Rights Act applies to any tribe, band, or other group of Indians

subject to the jurisdiction of the United States in the exercise of

recognized powers of self-government. The ICRA is applicable in all

cases where an IHA has been established by exercise of tribal powers of

self-government.

(3) The prohibitions against discrimination on the basis of age

under the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6101-07) and

implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 146, and the prohibitions

against discrimination against individuals with disabilities under

section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) and

implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 8;

(4) The requirements of Executive Order 11246 (Equal Employment

Opportunity) and the regulations issued under the Order at 41 CFR

Chapter 60;

(5) The requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

(42 U.S.C. 12131) and implementing regulations at 29 CFR part 1640, 28

CFR part 35, and 28 CFR part 36.

(6) The requirements of Executive Orders 11625, 12432, and 12138.

Consistent with HUD's responsibilities under these Orders, recipients

must make efforts to encourage the use of minority and women's business

enterprises in connection with funded activities.

(b) Use of Debarred, Suspended, or Ineligible Contractors

Applicants for short-term technical assistance under this NOFA are

subject to the provisions of 24 CFR part 24 relating to the employment,

engagement of services, awarding of contracts, or funding of any

contractors or subcontractors during any period of debarment,

suspension, or placement in ineligibility status.

(c) Drug-free Workplace Act of 1988

The requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and

implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 24, subpart F apply under this

notice.

(d) Environmental Impact

In accordance with 40 CFR 1508.4 of the regulations of the Council

on Environmental Quality and 24 CFR 50.20(b) of the HUD regulations,

the policies and procedures proposed in this document are determined

not to have the potential of having a significant impact on the quality

of the human environment, and therefore are categorically excluded from

the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

Accordingly, a Finding of No Significant Impact is not required.

(e) Federalism Impact

The General Counsel, as the Designated Official under section 6(a)

of Executive Order 12612, Federalism, has determined that the

provisions of this NOFA do not have federalism implications within the

meaning of the Order. The NOFA provides short-term technical assistance

to housing authorities and resident organizations to assist them in

their youth violence prevention efforts in public housing communities.

The involvement of resident organizations should greatly increase the

success of the anti-violence efforts under this technical assistance

program and therefore should have positive effects on the target

population. As such, the program helps housing authorities to combat

the problem of youth violence in their communities, but it does not

have federalism implications.

(f) Family Impact

The General Counsel, as the Designated Official for Executive Order

12606, the Family, has determined that the provisions of this NOFA have

the potential for a positive, although indirect, impact on family

formation, maintenance, and general well-being within the meaning of

the Order. The NOFA is designed to assist housing authorities and

resident organizations in their youth violence prevention efforts by

providing short-term technical assistance. HUD expects that the

provision of such assistance will better prepare and educate housing

authority and resident organization officials to confront the

widespread abuse of controlled substances in public housing

communities. This, in turn, would indirectly affect the quality of life

for housing residents.

(g) Documentation and Public Access Requirements; Applicant/Recipient

Disclosures: HUD Reform Act

Disclosures. HUD will make available to the public for five years

all applicant disclosure reports (HUD Form 2880) submitted in

connection with this NOFA. Update reports (also Form 2880) will be made

available along with the applicant disclosure reports, but in no case

for a period less than three years. All reports--both applicant

disclosures and updates--will be made available in accordance with the

Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and HUD's implementing

regulations at 24 [[Page 29461]] CFR part 15. (See 24 CFR subpart C,

and the notice published in the Federal Register on January 16, 1992

(57 FR 1942) for further information on these disclosure requirements.)

Public Notice. HUD will include the recipients of assistance

pursuant to this NOFA in its quarterly Federal Register notice of all

recipients of HUD assistance awarded on a competitive basis. (See 24

CFR 12.16(b), and the notice published in the Federal Register on

January 16, 1992 (57 FR 1942), for further information on these

requirements.)

(h) Section 103 HUD Reform Act

HUD's regulation implementing section 103 of the Department of

Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 was published May 13,

1991 (56 FR 22088) and became effective on June 12, 1991. That

regulation, codified as 24 CFR part 4, applies to the funding

competition announced today. The requirements of the rule continue to

apply until the announcement of the selection of successful applicants.

HUD employees involved in the review of applications and in the

making of funding decisions are limited by part 4 from providing

advance information to any person (other than an authorized employee of

HUD) concerning funding decisions, or from otherwise giving an

applicant an unfair competitive advantage. Persons who apply for

assistance in this competition should confine their inquiries to the

subject areas permitted under 24 CFR part 4.

Applicants who have questions should contact the HUD Office of

Ethics, (202) 708-3815. (This is not a toll-free number.) The Office of

Ethics can provide information of a general nature to HUD employees, as

well. However, a HUD employee who has specific program questions, such

as whether particular subject matter can be discussed with persons

outside the Department, should contact his or her Regional or Field

Counsel, or Headquarters counsel for the program to which the question

pertains.

(i) Section 112 HUD Reform Act

Section 13 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act

contains two provisions dealing with efforts to influence HUD's

decisions with respect to financial assistance. The first imposes

disclosure requirements on those who are typically involved in these

efforts--those who pay others to influence the award of assistance or

the taking of a management action by HUD, and those who are paid to

provide the influence. The second restricts the payment of fees to

those who are paid to influence the award of HUD assistance, if the

fees are tied to the number of housing units received, based on the

amount of assistance received, or if they are contingent upon the

receipt of assistance.

Section 13 was implemented by final rule published in the Federal

Register on May 17, 1991 (56 FR 22912). If readers are involved in any

efforts to influence HUD in these ways, they are urged to read the

final rule, particularly the examples contained in Appendix A of the

rule.

(j) Prohibition Against Lobbying Activities

The use of funds awarded under this NOFA is subject to the

disclosure requirements and prohibitions of section 319 of the

Department of Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for

Fiscal Year 1990 (31 U.S.C. 1352) (The ``Byrd Amendment'') and the

implementing regulations at 24 CFR part 87. These authorities prohibit

recipients of federal contracts, grants, or loans from using

appropriated funds for lobbying the Executive or Legislative branches

of the federal government in connection with a specific contract,

grant, or loan. The prohibition also covers the awarding of contracts,

grants, cooperative agreements, or loans unless the recipient has made

an acceptable certification regarding lobbying.

Under 24 CFR part 87, applicants, recipients, and subrecipients of

assistance exceeding $100,000 must certify that no federal funds have

been or will be spent on lobbying activities in connection with the

assistance. Indian Housing Authorities (IHAs) established by an Indian

tribe as a result of the exercise of their sovereign power are excluded

from coverage, but IHAs established under state law are not excluded

from coverage.

Authority: Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban

Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 (Pub.

L. 102-389, approved October 6, 1992); Departments of Veterans

Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies

Appropriations Act, 1995 (Pub. L. 103-327, approved September 28,

1994).

Dated: May 24, 1995.

Joseph Shuldiner,

Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing.

[FR Doc. 95-13459 Filed 6-1-95; 8:45 am]

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