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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
A process for obtaining input from citizens in the community, especially those for whom fair housing is a concern.
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.
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.
The information used to develop the AI is to include but not be limited to:
Public policies, practices, and procedures involving housing and housing related activities
Zoning and land use policies, tax assessment/abatement practices
The nature and extent of fair housing complaints/suits or other data that may highlight the municipalities achievement of fair housing choice
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
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
Who conducted the AI
Participants in the AI
Methodology used
How the organization is funded
Conclusions
Impediments identified
Action plan to address impediments identified
II. Municipality of Norristown Background Data
Demographic data
Income data
Employment data
Housing data/profile
Fair Housing complaint data
Transportation data
Education data
Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data
Fair Housing testing data
Maps
Zoning/land use policies
Interviews/surveys of:
Residents
Community-based organizations
Fair Housing organizations
Housing providers
Realtors
Lenders
Community planning representatives
Other relevant data
III. Evaluation of Norristown’s Current Fair Housing Status
Fair Housing complaints or compliance reviews
Fair Housing discrimination suits
Reasoning for any trends or evident patterns
Discussion of other Fair Housing Concerns or problems
IV. Identification of Potential Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
Public sector
Private sector
Other considerations
V. Assessment of Current Public and Private Fair Housing Programs and
Activities within Norristown
Agencies addressing fair housing
Funding invested
Programs and activities offered
VI. Conclusions and Recommendations
Action Plan
Long-term goals (5yrs)
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:
A statement of the consultant’s interest and understanding of the project.
A statement confirming the commitment of key personnel identified in the proposal to the extent necessary to meet the Municipality of Norristown’s quality expectations.
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:
Description of the project
Role of the firm
Roles to be assigned to staff assigned to the project
References for each project identified by the consultant including phone numbers. At least three should be provided, comparable in size to the Municipality of Norristown that received an Analysis of Impediments study similar in nature to the request.
3. Experience of Key Personnel: Discuss the experience and qualifications of the specific project team members on projects of comparable character, size, and complexity.
The name, resume and role of the individual(s) to be assigned to the project. Note: The resumes should not exceed two pages per employee.
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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