SECTION 330:40-5-2. Ranking criteria

(a)   Threshold criteria. To be eligible for evaluation under the ranking criteria set forth herein, Applications must meet each of the threshold criteria described below. Applications that fail to meet all threshold criteria will not be eligible for assistance under the Pilot Program. The threshold criteria are:

(1)   Form, time, and adequacy of the Application. The Application must be filed in the form prescribed by OHFA within the time period established by OHFA.

(2)   Applicant eligibility to receive assistance. The Applicant must demonstrate that it is an Authorized Agency.

(3)   Applicant's financial responsibility. Applicants must demonstrate the financial ability to carry out the Project. OHFA will, in making its determination of financial responsibility, consider factors such as the past financial history of the Applicant, its current and anticipated financial outlook, the amount of funding that is requested by the Applicant, and Applicant's other financial responsibilities.

(4)   Applicant capacity. Applicant must demonstrate that it has the ability to carry out activities under the Pilot Program in a successful manner. In making this determination, OHFA will consider the extent and quality of the Applicant's past experience in establishing and operating housing. OHFA also will consider the ability of the Applicant's personnel to perform administrative, managerial, and operational functions necessary to the successful development and operation of the Project.

(5)   Applicant legal authority. Each applicant must:

(A)   Demonstrate that it has legal authority to participate in the Pilot Program and to carry out activities in accordance with Pilot Program requirements and the requirements of other applicable state and federal laws; and

(B)   Certify that a resolution, motion or similar action has been duly adopted or passed as an official act by the governing body of the Applicant, authorizing the submission of the Application Packet.

(C)   Nonprofit Organizations must provide proof of their nonprofit status.

(6)   Case Management and Supportive services. Each Applicant should include a description of its Comprehensive Case Management supportive services including Self-sufficiency Programs available for the Residents.

(7)   Proposal feasibility. Each Applicant must demonstrate that its proposal, when viewed as a whole, is operationally feasible and adequately serves the purposes of the Pilot Program.

(8)   Selection of Property(ies). The Applicant must identify proposed Properties at the time of Application. Properties identified must meet the requirements set forth in subchapter 9 of theses Guidelines.

(b)   Ranking criteria.

(1)   In general. Applications that fulfill each of the threshold requirements of 330:40-5-2(a) will be assigned a rating score and ranked, based upon the criteria described in paragraph (2) of this subsection.

(2)   Criteria. Applications will be assigned a rating and will be ranked based upon the following criteria:

(A)   Applicant's capacity. OHFA will consider the Applicant's relative ability to successfully carry out activities under the Pilot Program for the year of the commitment. OHFA will assign the greatest number of points under this criterion to Applications from Applicants with experience in establishing and operating housing for homeless persons and in providing or coordinating supportive services for its Residents. Applicants who demonstrate, through volunteers or other funding, the ability to maintain the Properties during the lease period, and who demonstrate, on the basis of prior experience, the greatest ability to carry out activities under the Pilot Program expeditiously and successfully, will be assigned the greatest number of points.

(B)   Case Management, Self-sufficiency Programs and Coordination of supportive services. While the primary focus of the Pilot Program is housing and housing assistance, Applicants must demonstrate Comprehensive Case Management and Self-sufficiency Programs. OHFA will review Applications for these services and will consider the supportive services available for the Residents of the Properties in ranking Applicants. Supportive services may include:

(i)   assistance in obtaining permanent housing;

(ii)   medical and psychological counseling and supervision;

(iii)   employment counseling;

(iv)   nutritional counseling;

(v)   assistance in obtaining other federal, state and local assistance available for Residents of transitional housing facilities, including mental health benefits, employment counseling, medical assistance, veterans' benefits, and income support assistance, such as Supplemental Security Income benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, General Assistance, and Food Stamps; and

(vi)   other services, such as child care and transportation.

(C)   Cost effectiveness. OHFA will consider the extent to which the Applicant's proposed Project Budget:

(i)   is reasonable in relation to the Rehabilitation, utilities and other services to be provided; and

(ii)   is effective in accomplishing the purposes of the Project.

(D)   Project quality. OHFA will consider the extent to which the Project will meet the needs of homeless persons in the State.

(c)   Final selection. In the final stage of the selection process, the highest-ranked Applications will be considered for final selection in accordance with their rank order. If the top-rated Applications under the ranking criteria described above involve Projects that predominantly serve one geographic area, OHFA may substitute one or more other highly-rated Applications to ensure reasonable variety in the Pilot Program.

(d)   In the event two or more Applicants receive the same ranking, funding will be made in the order of receipt of the Applications by OHFA.

[Source: Amended at 10 Ok Reg 971, eff 1-29-93 (emergency); Amended at 10 Ok Reg 4057, eff 7-26-93; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 2295, eff 7-12-04]