Regional Planning Grant to Prevent and End Homelessness is sponsored by Minnesota Housing. The Regional Planning Grant to Prevent and End Homelessness (RPG) supports Greater Minnesota's six Continuums of Care (CoCs) and Tribal Nations in working with state agencies to prevent and end homelessness. It includes two activities: planning support and capacity enhancement, and innovation (optional).

Regional Planning Grant to Prevent and End ## Request for Proposals Application Instructions ## Grant Period: January 1, 2027 - December 31, 2028 ## Application Deadline: Thursday, May 14, 2026, at noon Central time March 2026 The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, religion, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, familial status, gender identity, or sexual orientation in the provision of services.

An equal opportunity employer. This information will be made available in alternative format upon request. March 2026 Contents ...................................................................................................................................................

3 Overview ................................................................................................................................................... 1 Available Funding ..................................................................................................................................

1 Eligibility.................................................................................................................................................... 3 Eligible Applicants .................................................................................................................................

3 Eligible Expenses ................................................................................................................................... 3 Equity ........................................................................................................................................................

5 Review Criteria .......................................................................................................................................... 6 Threshold Criteria ..................................................................................................................................

6 Competitive Criteria .............................................................................................................................. 6 Funding Decisions..................................................................................................................................

9 Pre-Award Risk Assessment .................................................................................................................. 9 Application Timeline ...............................................................................................................................

11 Application Checklist ............................................................................................................................... 12 Submission Instructions ..........................................................................................................................

14 Post-Selection ......................................................................................................................................... 15 Due Diligence Requirements ............................................................................................................... 15 Contractual Requirements ..................................................................................................................

16 Reporting and Administrative Requirements ...................................................................................... 17 Contact ...................................................................................................................................................

18 March 2026 1 Minnesota Housing is now accepting applications for the Regional Planning Grant to Prevent and End Homelessness (RPG) Request for Proposals (RFP). This program operates in accordance with Minnesota Statute 462A. 21, subdivision 3b and Minnesota Rules, parts 4900.

1931 through 4900. 1937. The RPG supports Greater Minnesota’s six Continuums of Care (CoCs) and Tribal Nations in working with state agencies to prevent and end homelessness.

The grant recognizes the need for the four core activities below, which directly benefit the state of Minnesota: • Coordinated Entry (CE) operations • Homeless data management • Cross-system collaboration This program aligns with key state housing initiatives, including the One Minnesota Plan Housing Stability Goal, which seeks to ensure that all Minnesotans have stable housing, and the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness’ Crossroads to Justice Plan , which provides a strategic roadmap The application deadline is Thursday, May 14, 2026, at noon Central time.

Minnesota Housing anticipates awarding up to $900,000 in grant funds for the grant period of January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2028. Funding is contingent upon legislative approval, the availability of state appropriations, and the commitment and availability of Greater Minnesota Housing Fund resources.

The total amount of funding available may increase or decrease, and individual awards and the grant period may be increased or extended at Minnesota Housing’s sole discretion, with or without additional funding. There are two separate activities within the RPG RFP that applicants may apply for: 1.

Planning support and capacity enhancement Recommended awards for these two activities will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, the number of applications received, the funding amount requested, scoring results, demonstrated capacity needs, and geographic coverage. Final award amounts are determined at Minnesota Housing’s sole discretion.

March 2026 2 Planning Support and Capacity Enhancement Planning support and capacity enhancement provides resources for regional planning and activity coordination to enhance a region’s capacity to maintain and expand housing resources.

Activities that strengthen regional planning and enhance organizational capacity include, but are not limited to: • Community and provider engagement • Data analysis and local system performance • Staff training and development Innovation supports new or expanded approaches to strengthening housing stability and system coordination. Minnesota Housing anticipates funding up to two proposals in this category.

This funding category is intended to support innovative, time-limited strategies that strengthen the homelessness response system, rather than general operations or ongoing staffing. These funds are designed to encourage new approaches that improve system performance and advance measurable progress toward preventing and ending homelessness. Proposals must move beyond maintaining existing services or filling current funding gaps.

Instead, projects should test new strategies, partnerships, or system improvements that strengthen coordination, access, and overall system capacity. At a high level, examples of eligible innovations may include efforts that: • Strengthen collaboration across regions, jurisdictions, or systems that can be sustained (for example, shared infrastructure, joint staffing approaches, CE alignment among CoCs, etc.).

• Improve system efficiency and access, such as reducing permanent supportive housing vacancies, shortening CE wait times, and strengthening referral pathways. • Pilot new approaches informed by community input and data to improve system performance. • Build capacity or infrastructure that can be sustained, expanded, or replicated beyond the grant period.

Proposals must identify clear and tangible results expected during the grant period, even if the full project will not be fully implemented within that timeframe. Minnesota Housing may prioritize projects that can be completed within the grant period. In order to be eligible to receive funds for innovation, applicants must also apply to receive funds for planning support and capacity enhancement.

March 2026 3 Eligible applicants include: • Federally recognized Tribal Nations (or Tribally designated housing entities) within the state of Minnesota. • CoCs: A nonprofit or governmental entity can apply on behalf of a Greater Minnesota CoC. An eligible applicant must have an official designation from the CoC.

These funds are intended to support regional planning strategies that prevent and end homelessness by increasing capacity for coordination, system planning, and equitable access to housing resources. Funded efforts must align with HUD CoC goals and state homeless program priorities to ensure a cohesive statewide response.

Through collaborative planning, data-driven decision-making, and partnerships with local service providers, Tribal Nations, and community organizations, these activities will help build regional capacity, improve service delivery, and ensure that all Minnesotans, particularly those in rural and Tribal communities, have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.

While Minnesota Housing recognizes that other funding sources may support similar regional planning activities, no in-kind or matching funds are required for these grant resources. Instead, these funds are designed to enhance coordination and equity within the state’s homeless response system and advance Minnesota Housing’s mission to ensure housing stability for all. There are three eligible expense categories: 1.

Administration (can’t exceed 10% of the total): a. Audit, accounting, insurance b. Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) fees d.

Other administrative expenses as approved by Minnesota Housing 2. Staffing expenses – salaries and benefits to support staff who: a.

Facilitate regional coordination and stakeholder engagement among partners such as CoCs, Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program administrators, Tribal entities, local service providers, and state agencies to strengthen regionally driven responses to homelessness and housing instability March 2026 4 b.

Conduct data analysis and system performance monitoring using HMIS and other tools to identify trends, service gaps, and opportunities to improve the effectiveness and equity of the homeless response system d. Build and sustain partnerships that enhance provider capacity, support alignment and compliance, and advance efficient, coordinated implementation of regional housing strategies 3. Other expenses to support operations a.

Office rent, utilities, technology d. Marketing/outreach materials e. Meeting materials/supplies f.

Compensation for people with lived experience consultants g. Other operating expenses as approved by Minnesota Housing March 2026 5 All grantees must serve diverse populations, especially populations experiencing inequities and/or disparities in housing.

Minnesota Housing expects grantees to work toward decreasing barriers for populations accessing the homeless response system in their regions and to work toward increasing positive outcomes for diverse populations, especially those more likely to be impacted by housing instability and people with lived experience.

Grantees will also be expected to engage diverse populations and people who have lived experience of homelessness in their planning and decision-making processes. This includes clear and well-developed processes related to governance, data collection, and decision making.

Diverse populations may include: • Cultural, racial, and ethnic communities • Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and Two-Spirit+ (LGBTQIA2S+) communities • People with disabilities • Other populations who are identified by the region March 2026 6 This is a competitive application process.

Applications will be reviewed and scored by a committee comprised of Minnesota Housing staff, members of other state agencies, including the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness, and community reviewers to help determine selections and funding recommendations. Recommendations will be presented to the Minnesota Housing board for approval. Minnesota Housing’s award decisions are final and are not subject to appeal.

The following threshold criteria are the basic requirements an application must meet to be considered for funding: • The applicant must be eligible as defined in the Eligible Applicants section of this document. • The application must be properly completed and submitted by the published deadline via the specified submission method (refer to the Submission Instructions section of this document).

• The application must include all required application checklist items, provided either before or no later than the application deadline. Any application that does not include all required items (threshold criteria) will not be eligible for funding consideration.

The goals of the scoring methodology are to ensure RPG funds are distributed equitably in alignment with community needs and to maximize impact in strengthening both regional and statewide systems. The following competitive criteria will be used to score only those applications that satisfy the minimum threshold criteria.

Planning Support and Capacity Enhancement > Table 1: Planning Support and Capacity Enhancement Scoring Criteria > Category Criteria Maximum Score > Applicant provides the complete and accurate information to > evaluate the average grant dollars, rate of homelessness, and > Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) representation*.

> Project Narrative Applicant clearly identifies the specific capacity gaps to be > addressed and presents a realistic, well-defined plan for > strengthening regional planning and capacity. > The proposal demonstrates how increased capacity will benefit > the communities served and is evaluated for clarity, feasibility, > and alignment with RPG goals.

> Category Criteria Maximum Score > Equity Applicant describes plans to involve populations experiencing > disproportionate housing instability (for example, cultural, racial, > and ethnic communities, LGBTQIA2S+ communities, people > experiencing domestic violence, people with disabilities, > veterans) and people with lived experience in the planning.

> Tribal governments and Tribally designated housing entities > automatically receive full points under this criterion, recognizing > and honoring sovereignty. > Budget Applicant has a reasonable plan to cover proposed expenses.

> Proposed expenses are aligned with activities and reflect cost *Planning Capacity and Needs will be evaluated based on a composite of three factors: • Average Grant Dollars per CoC or Tribal Nation (total grant dollars divided by total number of funding subrecipients and partner organizations): Include all federal and state grants where your CoC or Tribal Nation serves as the primary applicant and is responsible for applying, contracting, monitoring, and reporting on the funds.

This metric reflects the average level of funding each subrecipient or partner organization receives under your CoC or Tribal Nation’s administration. A lower average grant amount per CoC or Tribal Nation may indicate that funding is spread across many partners or projects, often reflecting limited resources, higher administrative burden, and greater need for capacity support within the region.

• Rate of Homelessness (total number of people experiencing homelessness divided by total population of the CoC region or Tribal Nation): Use data from the 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count to represent the number of individuals experiencing homelessness within your CoC region.

For Tribal Nations, use the best available equivalent measures, such as HMIS data, the Wilder Research Reservation Homelessness Study, or the 2024 PIT methodology adapted for Tribal contexts. When using the Wilder Reservation Study data, include only counts that meet the federal definition of homelessness to align with PIT reporting.

You can also refer to American Community Survey data on people living on reservations as needed to provide additional context. This metric reflects the rate of homelessness relative to the total population. Higher rates indicate greater levels of housing instability and higher need for coordinated resources and system support.

• Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Representation (Number of BIPOC individuals experiencing homelessness divided by total 2024 PIT Count): This metric measures the proportion of individuals who identify as BIPOC among the total population experiencing homelessness within the CoC region or Tribal Nation.

Use 2024 PIT Count data or, for Tribal Nations, equivalent data sources such as HMIS or the Wilder Research Reservation Homelessness Study if PIT data are unavailable or incomplete.

Communities with a higher March 2026 8 percentage of BIPOC individuals represented in their homeless population will receive higher points, as this indicates disproportionate impact and higher need for equitable, culturally responsive housing and support systems. Applicants are ranked based on their composite score, and funding for planning support and capacity enhancement is allocated proportionally according to the rank.

Decisions to award and final award amounts will be determined at Minnesota Housing’s sole discretion.

Funding for innovation is intended to support one-time, innovative projects that test new strategies, partnerships, or approaches to addressing homelessness and housing instability and is designed to encourage creative, time-limited initiatives that generate learning, build capacity, or pilot models that could be sustained through other funding sources in the future.

Given that this is one-time funding, it should be clearly distinguished from other non-renewable or one-time grants that may serve ongoing operational needs.

Proposals should demonstrate how the innovation funds will: • Produce tangible, short-term outcomes or learnings that can inform future planning or system improvements • Be fully implemented and evaluated within the grant period, without expectation of renewal • Include a plan for knowledge-sharing or replication, so promising practices can benefit other regions or partners even after the funding ends > Table 2: Optional Innovation Scoring Criteria > Category Criteria Maximum Score > Applicant clearly articulates the purpose, goals, and anticipated > impact of the proposed innovation, including how it strengthens > long-term housing outcomes.

> Applicant demonstrates that the innovation fosters interregional > collaboration or cross-jurisdictional partnerships (for example, > shared infrastructure, staffing, coordinated entry alignment, > justice–housing partnerships) and builds organizational and > Applicant provides a detailed and actionable implementation > plan, including strategies for meaningful community > participation, data-informed learning, and evaluation or pilot > Applicant demonstrates a sustainable approach with clear plans > to maintain innovation and capacity beyond the grant period, > including scalability or replication potential.

> Category Criteria Maximum Score > Equity Applicant demonstrates a deep understanding of the > communities or populations served, including needs, > opportunities, and challenges. > Applicant demonstrates readiness and capacity to implement the > proposal, including trusted relationships with the communities.

> Tribal governments and Tribally designated housing entities > automatically receive full points under this criterion, recognizing > and honoring sovereignty. > Budget Applicant identifies major expense categories sufficient to > implement the proposal and provides reasonable cost estimates. > Applicant demonstrates a reasonable plan to cover expenses, > including contingencies.

RPG to Prevent and End Homelessness > funds are critical to move forward. Final funding amounts will be dependent on the amount requested, the number of applicants, the funding amount available, and the application scores. All funding decisions are at Minnesota Housing’s sole discretion and are not subject to appeal.

Additionally, Minnesota Housing reserves the right to request proposal revisions during the due diligence phase, which is after Minnesota Housing board approval but before the Grant Contract Agreement is executed. ## Pre-Award Risk Assessment Per Minn. Stat.

16B. 981 , Minnesota Housing is required to conduct a pre-award risk assessment of potential grantees requesting grant awards of $50,000 or more. The information submitted by potential grantees will be used to assess the risk that a potential grantee cannot or would not perform the required duties of the grant.

Minnesota Housing will review the potential grantee’s past performance, tax returns, audits, principals, and standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State.

Minnesota Housing will determine whether: • The potential grantee would likely be able to perform the duties of the grant without additional conditions, • The potential grantee would likely be able to perform the duties of the grant with additional technical assistance or conditions placed on the potential grantee, or • There is a substantial risk that the potential grantee cannot or would not perform the required duties of the grant.

The pre-award risk assessment includes the following components: March 2026 10 • A Risk Assessment Form with questions to be completed as part of the application • Financial information as applicable to the applicant organization and detailed on the Risk Assessment Form • Evidence of good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State • Certification of no convictions of felony financial crimes by a principal, along with a list of principals being certified To complete the assessment, Minnesota Housing may request additional information which must be provided by the potential grantee.

Minnesota Housing will notify a potential grantee if it is unable to satisfy its concerns that the potential grantee could not or would not perform the required duties of the grant. This notification will include information on the decision and options to contest the decision.

The submission of inaccurate or misleading information may be grounds for disqualification from a grant award and may subject an organization to suspension or debarment proceedings, as well as other remedies available to Minnesota Housing, by law. The results of the pre-award risk assessment will not impact scoring of an organization’s competitive application for grant funds.

Tribal governments are not subject to the pre-award risk assessment. Tribal-affiliated organizations with a nonprofit or for-profit business designation with the Minnesota Secretary of State are subject to the requirements.

March 2026 11 > Table 3: Application Timeline Monday, March 23, 2026 RFP posted to the Minnesota Housing website and announced via eNews Thursday, March 26, 2026 Minnesota Housing holds an RFP Information Session at 10 a. m.

Central Tuesday, April 7, 2026 First publication of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) posted to the Regional Planning Grant to Prevent & End Homelessness webpage addressing questions received by Wednesday, April 1, 2026 Tuesday, April 21, 2026 Second publication of FAQs posted to the Regional Planning Grant to Prevent & End Homelessness webpage addressing questions received by Wednesday, April 15, 2026 Wednesday, April 29, 2026 Final questions due by 4:30 p.

m.

Central time Tuesday, May 5, 2026 Final publication of FAQs posted to the Regional Planning Grant to Prevent & End Homelessness webpage Thursday, May 14, 2026 Applications due by noon Central time Thursday, September 24, 2026 Minnesota Housing staff recommends selections to Minnesota Housing’s Monday, September 28, 2026 Minnesota Housing notifies all applicants of selection decisions Thursday, October 1, 2026 Mandatory due diligence training for all selected applicants Monday, November 16, 2026 All due diligence items due Friday, January 1, 2027 Upon Grant Contract Agreements being fully executed, Grant Contract Sunday, December 31, 2028 Grant Contract Agreement term ends (no activities funded after this date) The timeline above is for informational purposes only.

All dates and times are subject to change at Minnesota Housing’s sole discretion. Minnesota Housing will hold an RFP Information Session at 10 a. m.

Central time on Thursday, March 26, 2026, which will provide an overview of RFP content and allow time for questions. Please register in FAQs from the RFP Information Session, along with other questions, will be posted on or around April 7, 2026, and April 21, 2026. Final questions must be submitted to Minnesota Housing by 4:30 p.

m. Central Time on April 29, 2026, with the final FAQ posted on or around May 5, 2026. March 2026 12 Applicants must use the application form and include all required information and documentation.

Applicants are encouraged to be clear and concise in the presentation of information. Do not submit materials that are not requested (letters of support, photos, brochures, etc.). Unrequested materials will not be reviewed.

The naming convention of the items submitted should be: Program Name RFP_Applicant name_Name of Document Example: “RPG_ABC_Application” All of the following checklist items must be completed properly and submitted using the Secure Upload Tool by the application deadline to meet the threshold criteria. Only applications meeting the threshold criteria will be considered for funding. o Planning Support and Capacity Enhancement 2.

Application Signature Page (wet, digital, or electronic signatures will be accepted) o Planning Support and Capacity Enhancement o Planning Support and Capacity Enhancement 5. Pre-award Risk Assessment Form and accompanying documentation detailed in the form a. Risk Assessment Form—Nonprofit Organizations b.

Accompanying Documentation: i. Financial Documents related to the applicant organization and detailed on the Risk Assessment Form (nonprofits only): Internal Controls Certification— ii. Evidence of good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State (nonprofits only) iii.

Certification of no convictions of felony financial crimes by a principal, along with a list of principals being certified (all applicants). Applicants should understand the application components and what types of submission materials are required to satisfy each required component.

Applications that do not contain all required components (completed and submitted properly) will be noted as incomplete and will not be eligible for further review, including scoring. Minnesota Housing is unable to provide notice if an application is incomplete. March 2026 13 If you have questions regarding checklist items, contact the designated point of contact listed in the Contact section.

Allow enough time for staff to respond and help resolve issues so that a complete application can be submitted prior to the application submission deadline. March 2026 14 # Submission Instructions In order to be considered for funding, all required materials must be submitted using the Secure Upload Tool no later than noon Central time on Thursday, May 14, 2026 .

The Secure Upload Tool will direct you to send items to the following email address: mhfa. app@state. mn.

us. Review the Secure Upload Tool Instructions for more information. Required documents must be uploaded in their original format.

Do not convert the documents into other formats except the Signature Page document which can be submitted as a PDF. If you have questions regarding the checklist items, please contact the designated point of contact listed in the Contact section. Submitted applications are considered final; late and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Minnesota Housing may request additional information or clarification. The applicant will be responsible for all costs incurred with applying for this RFP. Award decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

Per the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act , responses submitted by an applicant are private or ## Due Diligence Requirements Due Diligence refers to the documents that organizations must submit or actions that must be completed prior to contracting with Minnesota Housing.

If an applicant is selected for funding, Minnesota Housing will require that the following due diligence items be submitted by Monday, November 16, 2026: • Board Resolution: A signed board resolution specific to the Grant Contract Agreement that designates authorized signatories, authority to enter into a Grant Contract Agreement, and that references the requested and/or awarded amount o Organizational documents (such as bylaws) specifying authorized signatories if the authorized signer is not named on the Board Resolution • Designation letter from CoCs’ and Tribes’ planning entities • Certificate of Insurance with Employee Dishonesty/Crime Coverage in the amount of at least one-eighth of the total amount of the award.

Worker’s Compensation is required by statute for all grants. • W-9 and SWIFT vendor number for a new potential grantee that has been selected, or if the current information on file needs to be updated • Approved Final Work Plan: The selected organization will be required to complete and submit an updated work plan on a template provided by Minnesota Housing.

The purpose of the work plan is to describe changes since application submittal and as a result of the final award amount and requirements.

• Approved Final Budget: A final budget reflecting the awarded amount • Signed Grant Contract Agreement (provided by Minnesota Housing): Minnesota Housing will initiate the Grant Contract Agreement for execution through DocuSign once all due diligence items have been reviewed and approved, including the collection of required signatures Organizations awarded funding must have all due diligence items submitted and approved and the Grant Contract Agreement fully executed, which includes both the potential grantee’s and Minnesota Housing’s signatures, before costs can be incurred and reimbursed or grant funds can be expended.

Minnesota Housing will not reimburse costs incurred prior to the execution of the Grant Contract Agreement. March 2026 16 ## Contractual Requirements A potential grantee awarded funding under this proposal will be required to: • Enter into a Grant Contract Agreement with Minnesota Housing and comply with all requirements listed therein.

Agree to clearly post on the grantee's website the names of, and contact information for, the organization's leadership and the employee or other person who directly manages and oversees the grant for the grantee per Minn. Stat. §16B.

98 subd 5(d) . • Acknowledge that Minnesota Housing will complete a Grantee Performance Evaluation at the end of the grant term, which will be saved to the grantee’s file. For all contracts over $25,000 (including amendments), Evaluation information will be submitted to the Office of Grants Management and made available publicly online .

• Maintain financial records for a minimum of six years after the Grant Contract Agreement has ended that document the use of all grant funds. Minnesota Housing, at its sole discretion, may request to review the accounting and documentation of such. • Comply with monitoring and financial reconciliation audits including site visits, providing, and participating in evaluation and reporting by Minnesota Housing.

• Complete and submit by required due dates, all interim and final program reports in a template provided by Minnesota Housing • Have a Conflict of Interest policy and take necessary steps to prevent individual and organizational conflicts of interests. All suspected, disclosed, or discovered conflicts of interests must be reported to Minnesota Housing in a timely manner.

• Comply with applicable contracting and bidding requirements noted in the Grant Contract Agreement. • Comply with all affirmative action and non-discrimination requirements noted in the Grant Contract Agreement. • Comply with Minn.

Stat. §201. 162 by providing voter registration services for its employees and for the public served by the grantee.

This is not an exhaustive list. All Contractual Obligations will be outlined in the Grant Contract Agreement, sent to selected potential grantees.

March 2026 17 ## Reporting and Administrative Requirements • Submit quarterly progress and expenditure reports • Submit an annual narrative report • Participate in the state’s monitoring and financial reconciliation process Minnesota Housing reserves the right to withhold funds or discontinue funding disbursements if a grantee fails to accomplish the contracted activities or fails to comply with the stipulations outlined in the Grant Contract Agreement.

Quarterly funding reimbursement will occur upon approval of submitted expenditure reports and will be at Minnesota Housing’s sole discretion. March 2026 18 Questions can be directed to Ji-Young Choi, the designated point of contact for this RFP, at ji- No other staff are authorized to respond to questions from potential applicants. All questions and answers will be posted to Minnesota Housing’s Regional Planning Grant to Prevent & End