Request for Proposals: HOME-ARP Non-Congregate Shelter (NCS) Property Acquisition and Development

The City of Gastonia is seeking proposals from qualified agencies interested in providing Non-Congregate Shelter (NCS) to individuals and households experiencing homelessness. The intent of the Gastonia Non-Congregate Shelter RFP is to establish a new non-congregate ADA accessible shelter (the shelter) targeting individuals and households experiencing homelessness or other eligible Qualified Populations as described herein. The funded activities aim to reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of homelessness in the City of Gastonia and the County of Gaston, NC.

This Request for Proposals (RFP) solicits proposals from experienced and established agencies and organizations with demonstrable knowledge and experience in developing and operating emergency shelters, including non-congregate shelters or transitional housing, and providing supportive services to one or more of the eligible Qualifying Populations (QP) described in Section 2.2. Eligible applicants may include private, not-for-profit, and public entities. Collaborative submittals are encouraged.

The City of Gastonia is making available **$2,400,000** in Home Investment Partnership American Rescue Plan Act (HOME-ARP) funds for the acquisition, rehabilitation, and new construction of a non-congregate shelter (NCS) targeting Qualified Populations both as defined in the HOME-ARP regulations.

HOME-ARP funds may be used to cover costs associated with the following activities:

• Acquisition: An acquisition only project means no rehabilitation or construction is required for a Certificate of Occupancy other than minor work. Example – buying a hotel that is in good condition, but management needs to replace mattresses or rekey locks before operating as NCS.
• Rehabilitation (with or without acquisition): Includes converting or redeveloping existing structures, hotels, nursing homes, schools, and current congregate shelters to NCS. Applicants seeking rehab funding must demonstrate site control at the time of submittal. The proposed project scope must review the remaining useful life of the building systems. Applicants may include replacement reserves but must complete a capital needs assessment.
• New Construction (with or without acquisition): Includes the new construction of non-congregate shelters or the addition of non-congregate shelter beds and structures.

Eligible Costs

• Acquisition
• Demolition
• Development hard costs
• Site improvements
• Related soft costs – excluding costs associated with marketing, costs of funding an operating deficit reserve, and costs of project specific assistance to community housing development organizations including technical assistance, site control loans, or seed money loans.
• Replacement reserve (rehab projects only) – a Capital Needs Assessment must be completed

HOME-ARP funds cannot be used to:

• Pay any operating costs of a HOME-ARP NCS project.
• Pay costs of a conversion of HOME-ARP NCS into permanent affordable housing.
• Pay delinquent taxes, fees, or charges on properties to be assisted with HOME-ARP NCS funds.
• Pay for any cost that is not eligible under this Notice.

A non-congregate shelter (NCS) is one or more buildings that provide private units or rooms as temporary shelter to individuals and families and does not require occupants to sign a lease or occupancy agreement. All HOME-ARP NCS units and communal areas must meet all applicable State and local codes, ordinance, and requirements and the applicable provisions of HUD's Lead Safe Housing Rules (24 CFR Park 35).

NCS projects must comply with the following restricted use requirements regardless of the amount of HOME-ARP funds invested in the project:

| Project Type | Restricted Use Period |
| --- | --- |
| New Construction | 15 years |
| Rehabilitation | 10 years |
| Acquisition Only | 10 years |

**Submission:** Submissions may be delivered by email, in person, USPS mail or courier service. All submissions should be titled: RFP- HOME-ARP Non-Congregate Shelter (NCS): Property Acquisition and Development.

All proposals must be received on or before **December 4, 2026, by 4:00 pm EST**. Responses received after the due date/time will not be considered. The City of Gastonia reserves the right to terminate this RFP at any time, as determined by the City at its sole discretion. The City also reserves the right to reject any and all proposals.

Email submissions go to Zsuzsi.Kadar@gastonianc.gov and Stacy.Pethia@gastonianc.gov, with the RFP title in the subject line. Proposals submitted in-person or by mail should include two (2) printed documents with original signature and an electronic version on a flash drive.

The City will score proposals based on the following categories (maximum 100 points):

• Project Readiness: 20
• Suitability of Property: 20
• Anticipated impact of proposed project on reducing the frequency or duration of homelessness: 20
• Financial Feasibility: 20
• Capacity of Project Team: 20

Proposals must include evidence of anticipated general liability, workers' compensation, and (for construction) payment and performance bonding capacity. The HOME-ARP funds awarded through this RFP must be fully expended by **September 30, 2030**.