|
GENERAL CERTIFICATIONS FOR
<br />THE HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION AND RAPID RE -HOUSING PROGRAM (HPRP)
<br />In accordance with the applicable statutes and the regulations governing the consolidated plan regulations the
<br />undersigned certifies that:
<br />Conflicts of Interest
<br />1. General. With respect to the use of HPRP funds to procure services, equipment, supplies or other property,
<br />states, territories and units of general local government that receive HPRP funds shall comply with 24 CFR
<br />85.36(b)(3), and non-profit sub -grantees shall comply with 24 CFR 84.42. With respect to all other decisions
<br />involving the use of HPRP funds, the following restriction shall apply: No person who is an employee, agent,
<br />consultant, officer, or elected or appointed official of the grantee and who exercises or has exercised any
<br />functions or responsibilities with respect to assisted activities, or who is in a position to participate in a
<br />decision-making process or gain inside information with regard to such activities, may obtain a personal or
<br />financial interest or benefit from the activity, or have an interest in any contract, subcontract, or agreement
<br />with respect thereto, or the proceeds thereunder, either for himself or herself or for those with whom he or she
<br />has family or business ties, during his or her tenure or for one year thereafter.
<br />2. Exceptions. Upon the written request of the grantee, HUD may grant an exception to the restrictions in
<br />paragraph 1 above on a case-by-case basis when it determines that the exception will serve to further the
<br />purposes of the HPRP program and promote the efficient use of HPRP funds. In requesting an exception, the
<br />grantee must provide the following:
<br />a. For states and other governmental entities, a disclosure of the nature of the conflict, accompanied by an
<br />assurance that there has been public disclosure of the conflict and a description of how the public disclosure
<br />was made; and
<br />b. For all grantees, an opinion of the grantee's attorney that the interest for which the exception is sought
<br />would not violate state or local law.
<br />Environmental Requirements
<br />This Notice does not direct, provide for assistance or loan and mortgage insurance for, or otherwise govern or
<br />regulate, real property acquisition, disposition, leasing (other than tenant -based rental assistance),
<br />rehabilitation, alteration, demolition, or new construction, or establish, revise or provide for standards for
<br />construction or construction materials, manufactured housing, or occupancy. Accordingly, under 24 CFR
<br />50.19(c)(1), this Notice is categorically excluded from environmental review under the National
<br />Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321). Moreover, consistent with the provisions for
<br />administrative and management expenses, tenant -based rental assistance, and supportive services in 24 CFR
<br />50.19(b)(3), (11), and (12), the eligible activities to be assisted under this Notice are categorically excluded
<br />from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321) and are not subject
<br />to environmental review under the related laws and authorities.
<br />C. Habitability Standards
<br />Organizations providing rental assistance with HPRP funds will be required to conduct initial and any
<br />appropriate follow-up inspections of housing units into which a program participant will be moving. Units
<br />should be inspected on an annual basis and upon a change of tenancy. The minimum habitability standards are
<br />listed in Appendix C of the Notice of Allocations, Applications Procedures, and Requirements for
<br />Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re -Housing Program Grantees under the American Recovery and
<br />Reinvestment Act of 2009. Grantees may require more stringent standards.
<br />D. Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Requirements
<br />Grantees and sub -grantees must comply with all applicable fair housing and civil rights requirements in 24
<br />CFR 5.105(a). In addition, grantees must make known that HPRP rental assistance and services are available
<br />to all on a nondiscriminatory basis and ensure that all citizens have equal access to information about HPRP
<br />and equal access to the financial assistance and services provided under this program. Among other things,
<br />this means that each grantee must take reasonable steps to ensure meaningful access to programs to persons
<br />Exhibit D
<br />Page 1 of 4
<br />
|