REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ANALYSIS OF IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL





REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

ANALYSIS OF IMPEDIMENTS TO FAIR HOUSING


The Municipality of Norristown’s Department of Planning and Municipal Development is seeking proposals for professional assistance to compile the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing.


BACKGROUND


The Municipality of Norristown is a recipient of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. It is the policy of the Municipality to comply with Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 also known as the Fair Housing Act, and other applicable laws. The Fair Housing Act requires recipients of Department of Urban Development (HUD) funds to administer programs and activities related to housing and community development in a manner which affirmatively furthers fair housing.


SCOPE OF SERVICES


We are seeking professional services for the following tasks:


A. INTENT:


The Municipality of Norristown, an entitlement recipient of Community Development Block Grant funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, requests proposals from qualified parties to prepare an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing (AI). The AI will serve as a substantive and logical basis for fair housing planning regarding any impediments to furthering fair housing within the municipality.



Services must be available to telephone, internet, and walk-in clients, and offices must be accessible to persons with physical disabilities. Consultants must also offer services in both English and Spanish or have the availability to make arrangements for translation services as needed. Counseling and complaint investigation services must be provided free of charge.


1. Background


  1. The purpose of the AI is to review the impediments to fair housing that may exist in the private and public sectors located in the Municipality of Norristown in accordance with the the Fair Housing Act. The AI will shall include a comprehensive review of all applicable laws, regulations, administrative policies, procedures and practices in the municipality.


  1. Impediments to furthering fair housing are defined as any action, omissions, or decisions that have the effect of restricting housing choices or the availability of housing choices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin.


  1. The Municipality of Norristown’s last AI was last completed in 2008. Due to various economic changes including the foreclosure crisis, and the ensuing increased demand for affordable housing, the Municipality of Norristown has elected to have a new AI prepared. Findings and recommendations in the subsequent AI will be incorporated into future Annual Action Plans.


2. Scope of Work


  1. An Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing, pursuant to U.S. Department of Urban Development (HUD) guidelines will include an assessment of Norristown’s current Fair Housing program and activities; the identification of impediments in the public and private sectors affecting ALL protected classes; examination of the housing market and prevalent public practices as they directly or indirectly impact housing choice.


  1. The AI will provide an assessment of how laws and regulations affect the location, availability and accessibility of housing in a range of unit sizes


  1. A process for obtaining input from citizens in the community, especially those for whom fair housing is a concern.


  1. The AI should be completed in accordance with HUD’s Fair Housing Planning Guide, available at http://www.hud.gov/fheo/images/fhpg.pdf and shall be considered the minimum acceptable standard for analysis and documentation.


  1. Recommendations are to be provided to the Municipality of Norristown on specific actions that can be implemented to affirmatively further fair housing within the jurisdiction.


  1. The information used to develop the AI is to include but not be limited to:


    1. Public policies, practices, and procedures involving housing and housing related activities

    2. Zoning and land use policies, tax assessment/abatement practices

    3. The nature and extent of fair housing complaints/suits or other data that may highlight the municipalities achievement of fair housing choice

    4. Demographic patterns, including an analysis of indices of dissimilarity; the extent to which any demographic group concentrations are due to economic characteristics; and whether any policies or practices exist which discourage or encourage specific groups to reside in the Municipality of Norristown

    5. Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data


B. FORMAT FOR THE ANALYSIS OF IMPEDIMENTS


The awarded contractor’s AI shall include the following tasks in the order listed below:


I. Introduction and Executive Summary of the Analysis

  1. Who conducted the AI

  2. Participants in the AI

  3. Methodology used

  4. How the organization is funded

  5. Conclusions

  1. Impediments identified

  2. Action plan to address impediments identified


II. Municipality of Norristown Background Data

  1. Demographic data

  2. Income data

  3. Employment data

  4. Housing data/profile

  5. Fair Housing complaint data

  6. Transportation data

  7. Education data

  8. Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data

  9. Fair Housing testing data

  10. Maps

  11. Zoning/land use policies

  12. Interviews/surveys of:

  1. Residents

  2. Community-based organizations

  3. Fair Housing organizations

  4. Housing providers

  5. Realtors

  6. Lenders

  7. Community planning representatives

  1. Other relevant data


III. Evaluation of Norristown’s Current Fair Housing Status


  1. Fair Housing complaints or compliance reviews

  2. Fair Housing discrimination suits

  3. Reasoning for any trends or evident patterns

  4. Discussion of other Fair Housing Concerns or problems



IV. Identification of Potential Impediments to Fair Housing Choice

  1. Public sector

  2. Private sector

  3. Other considerations


V. Assessment of Current Public and Private Fair Housing Programs and

Activities within Norristown


  1. Agencies addressing fair housing

  2. Funding invested

  3. Programs and activities offered


VI. Conclusions and Recommendations


  1. Action Plan

  2. Long-term goals (5yrs)

  3. Annual goals


PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS


The consultant’s response to this Request for Proposal shall be made according to the specifications set forth in content and sequence. As the proposal shall be used to determine the consultant’s capability, it should be specific and complete in every detail. Failure to furnish to the information requested may result in the proposal being deemed non-responsive and it may be rejected.


The proposal must contain a description of the proposed approach to conduct the activities listed within the “Scope of Work”. In addition, any recommended changes or alternative information considered pertinent for a viable, comprehensive fair housing program should be provided. The consultant should not limit the proposal to the performance of services in accordance with this document but should outline and identify any additional services and their associated costs if they are deemed necessary to provide complete the Analysis of Impediments and satisfy the requirements of the Fair Housing Act and other applicable laws.


The proposal to be submitted must also include the following without exception:


1. Introductory Letter:




2. Firms Experience: Discuss the experience and qualifications of the firm in providing the development of studies as related to municipal governments, specifically Analysis of Impediments. For each applicable project, please provide the following:


3. Experience of Key Personnel: Discuss the experience and qualifications of the specific project team members on projects of comparable character, size, and complexity.



Please reply to this request with one (1) original and three (3) copies of your response.



CONSULTANT SELECTION


The following criteria, will be used in selecting a consultant for this project:


Qualifications of firm with special emphasis on previous experience with Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing and ability to administer the program in a creative and cost conscious manner.


Cost as reflected in hourly rates and “not to exceed” figure.


The municipality may hold interviews prior to a final selection of the program consultant.


PROPOSALS DUE


Proposals for services should be submitted to:


Municipality of Norristown

Department of Planning and Municipal Development

235 East Airy Street

Norristown, PA 19401


Proposals are due no later than 4:00 p.m. On Wednesday, January 11, 2012. For further information, please contact the Planning Department at (610) 270-0451.


CHAIRMAN PHIL MENDELSON AT THE REQUEST OF THE
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST PLEASE REVIEW
FRESNO COUNTY EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL


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