Notice of Funding Opportunity

THIS NOTICE IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING. 

I. Program Description 

Our Town Frederiksted Inc., (OTF) is pleased to announce the 2025 Frederiksted Housing Ecosystem Program which provides financial assistance for the rehabilitation of residential properties within downtown Frederiksted. This initiative aims to boost the affordable housing inventory by supporting modern, high-quality upgrades to residential spaces and enhancing the living conditions of residents. 

II. Funding Description 

This program offers low-interest loans and grants to eligible applicants for housing rehabilitation projects, including but not limited to structural repairs, plumbing, electrical work, and accessibility modifications. 

III. Eligibility Criteria 

Applicants must meet the following requirements: 

• Must own a residential property within downtown Frederiksted or property that can be converted into private housing. 
• Property must require rehabilitation or necessary repairs to improve livability.
• Must demonstrate financial need or inability to finance repairs independently. 
• Applicants must agree to maintain the property as affordable housing for a minimum period of 5 years or as further determined by the program. 
• Applicants must demonstrate how their project will contribute to the overall housing ecosystem in Frederiksted, including increasing access to quality affordable housing. 
• Applicants should clearly define project goals that advance organization’s mission of providing quality affordable housing to underserved communities, as well as define tangible outcomes that can be measured after the project’s completion. 
• Applicants must be able to complete all project repairs within 120 days of award and list the property for occupancy within 60 days thereafter. 

Applicants are only allowed to submit one application per property owner. If more than one application is submitted from the same property owner, all applications from that property owner will be considered ineligible for funding. 

Applicants that have received funding from Our Town Frederiksted under a past rehabilitation program may apply, however, preference will be given to applicants which did not receive any previous funding. 

IV. Eligible Uses of Funds 

Funds may be used for: 

• Structural Repairs and Stability Improvements – Foundation repairs, reinforcement of walls, and other structural enhancements to ensure safety and durability. 
• Roof Repairs – Repairing leaks, replacing damaged galvanize/shingles, or other relative repair work to ensure weatherproof structure. 
• Electrical and Plumbing Upgrades – Modernizing outdated systems, replacing faulty wiring or plumbing to ensure compliance with safety codes. 
• Weatherization and Energy Efficiency Improvements – Insulation, window replacements, HVAC upgrades, solar panel installation, and other improvements to reduce energy costs. 
• Accessibility Modifications – Installation of ramps, widened doorways, grab bars, walk-in showers, and other modifications to support residents with mobility challenges. 
• Health and Safety Improvements – Mold remediation, lead paint abatement, pest control, and other necessary measures to ensure a safe living environment. 
• Interior and Exterior Repairs – Replacement of deteriorated flooring, drywall repairs, siding replacement, and painting to enhance livability. 
• Disaster Resilience Upgrades – Reinforcements to protect against hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, or other natural disasters common to the area. 
• Essential Appliance Replacements – Replacement of essential household appliances (stoves, refrigerators, water heaters) if necessary for habitability. 
• Kitchen and Bathroom Upgrades – Installation of new cabinets, countertops, sinks, and fixtures to enhance functionality and modernize the space. 
• Modern Interior and Exterior Upgrades – Flooring replacements, lighting enhancements, updated finishes, and other improvements to improve the home’s aesthetic and marketability while maintaining affordability. 
• Other Necessary Home Improvements – Any additional repairs or modifications required to ensure a safe, sanitary, and livable environment for residents. 

V. Award Information 

• Awards will range from $2,500 to $15,000 per project. 
• The number of awards will depend on the requested amounts and available funding. 
• Length of performance period: 180 days (with a possibility of no-cost time extensions, provided there is a good justification for a request to extend the duration of the project). 
• Funding Instrument Type: Fixed amount grant or low-interest loan. The organization will decide on the funding instrument depending on the scope of the project, applicants’ preference, and recipients’ track record with the organization, if applicable. Applicants may receive either a grant, low-interest loan, or a combination of both. 

VI. Application Process 

Interested applicants must submit a completed application along with required documentation, including: 

1. Proof of property ownership or authorization of site control. 
2. Description of proposed rehabilitation work. 
3. Detailed budget in USD amounts and contractor quotes. 
4. Proof of financial need or hardship. 
5. A statement explaining the expected impact of the project on Frederiksted’s housing ecosystem and how it will improve the affordable housing inventory. 
6. Any additional supporting documents as requested by the program. 
7. Full and complete applications must be submitted through the online portal by close of business, 5:00 PM AST on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Incomplete application packages will not be considered for funding. 
8. Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt upon submission and acknowledgement from the organizations’ Program Administrator within 48 hours. 

VII. Review and Selection Process 

Each application will be evaluated and rated based on the evaluation criteria outlined below: 

Quality and Feasibility of the Program Proposal: The application must present a well-developed renovation or construction plan detailing how rehabilitation activities will be carried out. It should clearly demonstrate how proposed activities will address urgent housing needs, improve housing conditions, and contribute to the long-term affordability of the rehabilitated unit(s). The application should include a reasonable implementation timeline aligned with project goals. 

Applicant Capacity: The applicant must be capable of executing the project without oversight from the organization’s program administrator. The proposed project lead—whether in-house or contracted—should have the necessary experience to execute the scope of work successfully. If the applicant has previously received funding, its record of compliance, timely reporting, and fiscal responsibility of repayment, if applicable, will be considered. Additionally, the applicant must select a qualified contractor to complete the rehabilitation work within the proposed timeline. If the applicant is unable to secure an affordable contractor independently, they must use a contractor from the organization’s list of preferred contractors. 

Advancing Equity and Serving Underserved Communities: Applications should explicitly outline how the awarded funds will promote equitable access to safe, affordable housing and prioritize support for historically underserved communities. A clearly defined goal, a feasible action plan, and an evaluation strategy should be included to measure success. 

Program Planning and Ability to Achieve Objectives: Goals and objectives should be clearly defined, and the proposed rehabilitation approach should demonstrate the ability to maximize impact. Applications should provide a structured plan to ensure that proposed housing improvements effectively meet community needs. 

Budget and Cost Effectiveness: The proposed budget must include a clear justification for all costs, demonstrating that expenses are reasonable and directly aligned with rehabilitation activities and anticipated outcomes. The budget should be realistic, ensuring all necessary costs are accounted for while maintaining cost efficiency. The submitted contractor quote(s) must be lower than the organization’s estimated quote in order to be considered for funding. 

Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: The applicant must agree to and accept the organization’s plan for tracking and evaluating progress toward achieving program milestones and outcomes. Inspections, resident surveys, and community feedback will be used to evaluate the effectiveness or the awarded funds. 

Public Outreach and Community Engagement: A strong media and outreach strategy should be presented to engage stakeholders, and raise awareness about housing availability. This can include traditional media, social media, and direct community engagement efforts. 

Sustainability and Long-Term Impact: The application should demonstrate how the rehabilitation efforts will continue to provide long-term benefits beyond the funding period. Plans for maintaining affordability and ongoing property upkeep should be included. 

Impact on Housing Inventory and Community Development: The extent to which the project will improve housing quality, enhance neighborhood stability, and support local economic development will be considered. Special attention will be given to projects that contribute to long-term affordability, energy efficiency, and accessibility improvements for low- and moderate-income households. 

The review panel will evaluate all eligible applications and will contact the applicants in case of any follow-up questions. As soon as the results of the awarded applications are available, applicants will receive an email notification. Applications wishing to obtain a status update must email admin@ourtownfrederiksted.org with their application number and inquiry. No phone calls will be accepted during the review period. 

VIII. Award Administration Information 

The funding award will be written, signed, dispersed, and administered by the Program Administrator. The assistance agreement is the authorizing document, and it will be provided to the recipient for review and signature by email. The recipient may only start incurring program expenses and implementing project activities beginning on the start date shown on the award document. 

If an application is selected for funding, Our Town Frederiksted, Inc., has no obligation to provide any additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the organization. 

Issuance of this NOFO does not constitute an award commitment on the part of Our Town Frederiksted, Inc., nor does it commit the organization to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of applications. Further, Our Town Frederiksted, Inc., reserves the right to reject any or all applications received. 

Payment Method: Dynamics of payments would be discussed with recipients individually, and once agreed upon they will be stated in the award document. 

Reporting Requirements: Award recipients may be required to submit financial reports and program reports during and after the project’s period of performance. The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted. 

Duplication of Funding: Award recipients must promptly disclose the receipt of any additional financial assistance received during the performance period that will be used to supplement or support the project. Failure to disclose such funding, if discovered independently by the organization, may result in the recipient being deemed ineligible for any additional disbursements or future funding. Additionally, recipients under a loan agreement should make every effort to use any additional funds received for the same project during the period to repay the loan early. 

IX. Contact Information 

For more information or to request a link to the online application, please contact the Program Administrator at admin@ourtownfrederiksted.org or via phone at 340-772-3550.