City of Albuquerque: Single Site Permanent Supportive Housing Project

The City of Albuquerque’s Department of Family and Community Services (DFCS) seeks to support the development of a Single Site Permanent Supportive Housing (SS-PSH) Development to be located in Bernalillo County. Definitions of Single Site Housing and Permanent Supportive Housing are detailed below:

• Single-site Housing First programs offer residents housing units that are centralized within a single housing project. These programs provide onsite supportive services, 24-hour staffing, and case management services. In addition, such programs aim to optimize the health, recovery, independence, and housing stability of residents.
• Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is decent, safe, affordable, community-based housing that provides tenants with the rights of tenancy and links to intensive supportive services using the Housing First model as well as Harm Reduction and Trauma-informed approaches. PSH is prioritized for people who are homeless or precariously housed and are in need of intensive supportive services to maintain housing.

The City and County will work together to identify the target population in order to ensure that the project targets the most vulnerable individuals with behavioral health needs and a high need for housing and supportive services. A priority population will include individuals with many or all of four criteria: homelessness or severe housing instability, frequent admissions to the Metropolitan Detention Center’s Psychiatric Services Unit, frequent utilization of detoxification services, and frequent use of emergency medical services for behavioral health needs.

In addition, this housing is expected to be a minimum of 40 efficiencies and/or one bedroom units with an occupancy standard of one person per unit. Proposed projects need to demonstrate the capacity to obtain additional project financing from available sources such as the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program, Housing Trust Fund, Federal Home Loan Bank, etc. The project should be designed with the above target population in mind, ensuring trauma informed care design, on-site programming, community space, and security.

City Funds may be used as outlined in City Council Resolution R-17-168, including to purchase land and/or property, plan, design, construct and otherwise improve a single site behavioral health services center with associated supportive and transitional affordable housing for those suffering from behavioral health issues and who are in need of shelter. County Funds may be used solely for direct costs incurred for professional design services of an architect/engineer and/or direct construction services of a general contractor for the facility.

Amount: DFCS will allocate up to $1.97 million in City dollars and up to $2 million from the County towards the construction of a SS-PSH. This project will be have a required period of affordability which will be specified in the agreements with the selected developer.

Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations along with their development team, such as for-profit corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships which have demonstrated capability in providing the services for which they are applying are eligible. Lead applicant organizations must be duly registered and in good standing with New Mexico and must have nonprofit status under 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Code. In addition, the nonprofit must be certified or re-certified by DFCS as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) or an Affordable Housing Development Organization (AHDO), prior to award of contract.

Link: https://www.cabq.gov/family/partner-resources/request-for-proposals

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