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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIowa Legal Aid ApplicationHOME-ARP Application Description Description/General Information and Project Need: The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARP”) appropriated $5 billion to communities across the U.S. to provide housing, services, and shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable populations. These funds were allocated by formula to jurisdictions that qualified for funding through the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME Program) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Eligible activities that may be funded with HOME-ARP include: 1. Development and support of affordable housing; 2. Tenant-based rental assistance; 3. Provision of supportive services (such as housing counseling, homelessness prevention, childcare, job training, legal services, case management, moving costs, rental applications, and rent assistance); and 4. Acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter units. Funds must primarily benefit individuals and households in the following Qualifying Populations: 1. Experiencing homelessness; 2. At risk of homelessness; 3. Fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking; 4. Other popula�ons with high risk of housing instability including: a. Households who have previously been qualified as homeless, are currently housed, and who need addi�onal assistance to avoid a return to homelessness b. At greatest risk of housing instability i. Households with annual income <=30% of AMI who are paying more that 50% of monthly household income toward housing costs ii. Households with annual income <=50% of AMI AND meets one of the following criteria: 1. Households who have moved two or more times in the last 60 days 2. Households living in the home of another due to economic hardship 3. Has been notified in writing that their right to occupy their current living or housing situation will be terminated within 21 days 4. Households living in a hotel/motel not subsidized by other programs 5. Lives in an SRO or efficiency unit with more than 2 persons or in a larger housing unit in which there are more than 1.5 persons per room, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau 6. Is exiting a publicly funded institution or system of care 7. Otherwise lives in housing that has characteristics associated with instability and an increased risk of homelessness Iowa City expects to have $1,521,981 in HOME-ARP funds available for allocation in a competitive funding round, including up to $89,000 for non-profit operating & capacity building funds for applicants who are carrying out the eligible activities listed above. Section 1 - General Information and Project Need Name Website UEI Number For help obtaining a UEI: External UEI Transi�on FactSheet Address Organization Type Name Title Phone Email Did you complete a survey or attend a consultation meeting for HOME-ARP? System for Award Management (SAM) Registration Expiration Date: Is there a secondary applicant? Is applicant (including partners, co-applicants, etc.) currently in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations, including CDBG and/or HOME funded projects? Name Address 1. Lead Organization/Agency Iowa Legal Aid www.iowalegalaid.org FF47EZYZ77Z9 City Iowa City State / Province / Region Iowa Postal / Zip Code 52240 Country United States Street Address 1700 South 1st Avenue Address Line 2 Suite 10 501(c)3 Public For Profit Faith-based CHDO Other Application Contact Laura Nelson Lof Grants Manager/Sr. Grantwriter 319-338-3369 grants@iowalaw.org Yes No 4/4/2023 Yes No Yes No 2. Project Legal Services to Increase Housing Stability Project Type Qualifying Populations Served Please indicate whether your project will prioritize any populations or subpopulations: Population/subpopulation to be prioritized Indicate the documentation used to ensure the households served are eligible Indicate the referral method(s) used for the project Brief Description City Iowa City State / Province / Region Iowa Postal / Zip Code 52240 Country United States Street Address 1700 South 1st Avenue Address Line 2 Suite 10 Mark all that apply Affordable Housing Development Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Supportive Services Development of non-congregate shelter mark all that apply Experiencing homelessness At risk of homelessness Fleeing domestic violence Other at-risk populations Yes No The project must comply with all applicable fair housing, civil rights, and nondiscrimination requirements, including but not limited to those requirements listed in 24 CFR 5.105(a) when applying preferences. Persons who are eligible for a preference must have the opportunity to participate in all activities in which they are eligible, including activities that are not separate or different, and cannot be excluded because of any protected characteristics or preferential status. Our project will prioritize low-income Iowa City residents with a housing legal issue. We will primarily serve residents with income at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty level. Residents earning less than 80% of Area Median Income will be eligible for legal services at our eviction diversion help desk at the Johnson County Courthouse. (VI-SPDAT, third-party income verification, etc.) We do not require income verification for potential clients unless we have reason to believe that they may not be sharing accurate information. We use the City of Iowa City HOME CDBG Rent and Income Table, cross-checking the number of persons in the household and the annual income to determine eligibility. (Coordinated Entry, waitlist, etc.) Low-income Iowa City residents have several options to contact our regional Iowa City office – by telephone, through a secure form on our website, in person at our office on South 1st Avenue, or at the helpdesk at the Johnson County Courthouse. We have long-established cross-referral relationships with community organizations. We work closely with Shelter House to make referrals for rental assistance and to receive referrals for renters in need of legal assistance. A member of Shelter House staff is present with us at the weekly helpdesk at the Johnson County Courthouse. 3. Mark goal from City Steps 2025 primarily addressed by this application Briefly explain how the project will meet this goal. 4. How will this project respond to the impacts of COVID-19? (include purpose, benefits, and specific activities of project) The aim of this project is to stabilize the housing of low- income Iowa City individuals and families by preventing eviction, foreclosures, loss of housing benefits, housing discrimination, utility shutoffs, and addressing unsafe rental housing. This project was created in 2020 in response to the pandemic and flow of housing cases coming to Iowa Legal Aid. Evictions slowed from 2019 levels due to several protections such as eviction moratoria in place through August 2021. However, since August, eviction cases are on the rise. Families still recovering from the economic downturn caused by the pandemic are struggling with the current cost of living and inflation. Low-income families are extremely limited in the quality of available rental housing and are often forced to take housing with safety and security issues because they have no other choice. This project will address housing instability and unsafe housing for low-to-moderate income Iowa City residents. Increase the number of affordable rental housing units Provide tenant-based rental assistance (TBRA) Serve those experiencing homelessness and reduce homelessness Provide public services Other Prevent eviction, foreclosure, loss of housing benefits, inhabitable rental housing, utility shutoffs, and housing discrimination The legal system deals with these issues represented in these goals in significant ways. Courts and government agencies determine issues that affect safety, security, and stability. Decisions are made to stop or uphold evictions and foreclosures, protect scarce income from garnishment, enforce housing codes, issue protection orders, and approve benefits crucial to low-income people, such as housing assistance, food, medical, disability, and unemployment. Without legal aid, low-income individuals have limited knowledge of their rights, options, and legal solutions to problems. Access to the court to get the protection and help they are entitled to receive is limited. When one party has the means to hire an attorney and the other does not, a deeply unfair situation exists. Uninformed or unrepresented individuals are less likely to attend court or advocate successfully on their own behalf, and direct legal services is one of the most effective means of obtaining a favorable outcome and assisting clients through the complex legal system. A successful legal case can lead to numerous positive outcomes that can improve housing for clients and their families. Iowa Legal Aid continues to see increased housing legal needs in Iowa City related to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Housing instability and the eviction crisis were already a growing concern for low-income residents struggling prior to the pandemic. The housing needs of low-income residents were exacerbated during the pandemic by changes in employment, loss of income, and loss of childcare. A lack of safe, affordable housing is further complicating the situation by forcing low-income residents to choose between homelessness and paying much more than they can afford on housing. Iowa Legal Aid has responded by prioritizing a wide suite of housing case types and operating an eviction diversion helpdesk at the Johnson County Courthouse. We expect the impact of the pandemic to be with us for many years to come. Section 2 - Budget and Resources HOME-ARP funds may be used to pay for up to 100% of eligible costs associated with the project. While there is not a match requirement, please identify any additional funding allocated for the project. Funding terms including type of assistance and affordability period are determined upon award. Please a�ach a scope of work or es�mate for any project that involves rehabilita�on or new construc�on to demonstrate the cost reasonableness of any proposal. 5. Summary Budget In the applicable budget detail table(s), please submit budget details for the full scope of the project, regardless of whether HOME-ARP funds are requested for a specific activity. Category Amount Requested If funds requested, complete the following budget detail tables: Affordable Housing Development 5a Tenant-Based Rental Assistance 5b Supportive Services 5c Development of non- congregate shelter 5d Nonprofit Operating & Capacity Building Maximum 5% of total HOME-ARP funds requested 5e Total 5a. Affordable Housing Development Sub-Category Sub- Category Amount Requested Other Funds Allocated Committed Funding Source(s) Description of Activity Land Acquisition Building Acquisition Site Improvements Rehabilitation Construction Professional Fees Construction Finance Permanent Finance Developer Fees $ $ 150,000.00$ $ 7,500.00$ 157,500.00$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Operating Costs/Reserves Relocation Costs Other 5b. Tenant Based Rental Assistance Sub-Category Amount Requested Other Funds Allocated Committed Funding Source(s) Description of Activity Rental Assistance (Tenant) Rental Assistance (Master Lease) Security Deposits Utility Deposits Inspection Costs Administration Total 5c. Supportive Services Sub-Category Amount Requested Other Funds Allocated Committed Funding Source(s) Description of Activity Child Care Education Services Employment Assistance & Training Food Housing Search & Counseling $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Legal Services Life Skills Training Mental Health Services Outpatient Health Services Outreach Services Substance Abuse Treatment Transportation Case Management Mediation Credit Repair Landlord/Tenant Liaison Services for Special Populations Financial Assistance Short-Term Rent Assistance Medium-Term Rent Assistance Total 150,000.00$ 107,000.00 $ Johnson County ARP, Wells Fargo, Principal Foundation Funding will support the provision of free professional legal services to low-income renters for housing stability and safety. Salaries and benefits: $196,003; Office occupancy: $8,051; Office expenses: $14,661; In-state/in- town travel expenses: $2,482; Assistance to households/litigation: $195; Insurance: $421; other expenses include professional fees and payroll services: $5,187. $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 5d. Development of Non-Congregate Shelter Sub-Category Amount Requested Other Funds Allocated Committed Funding Source(s) Description of Activity Land Acquisition Building Acquisition Site Improvements Rehabilitation Construction Demolition Professional Fees Construction Finance Developer Fees Total 5e. Nonprofit Operating & Capacity Building Sub- Category Amount Requested Other Funds Allocated Committed Funding Source(s) Description of Activity Operating Expenses Capacity Building Total $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 7,500.00$ 3,850.00$ Wells Fargo, Principal Foundation This represents 5 % of the total budget cost to support grant administration costs, such as salaries for ILA grant accountants and reporting staff. $ $ 7,500.00$ 3,850.00$ Section 3 - Feasibility and Community Impact 6. Anticipated Income Levels of Beneficiaries Households Persons 0-30% AMI 31-50% AMI 51-60% AMI 61-80% AMI Over 80% AMI Total Basis for Estimates Indicate prioritization for populations to be served: Rate each population on a scale from 0-10. If all populations will be served without prioritization, rate all as “1”. If a population will not be served, rate “0”. Experiencing Homelessness At Risk of Homelessness Domestic Violence Previously Homeless & At Risk of Recurrence At Greatest Risk of Housing Instability Chronically Homeless Veterans & Veteran Families Elderly Persons with Disabilities Other (Specify) Affordable Housing Development Projects 14,289.00$ 11,429.00$ 33,446.00$ 27,216.00$ 45,211.00$ 44,395.00$ 67,600.00$ 51,000.00$ 0.00$ 0.00$ 160,546.00$ 124,040.00$ We can estimate the anticipated income levels of beneficiaries by taking the average income level of 2021 housing clients and classifying them using the Iowa City HOME CDBG Rent and Income Table. We estimate 420 households to be within 0-30% AMI; 48 within 31-50% AMI; 18 within 51-60% AMI; and 15 within 61-80% AMI. We estimate 1000 persons within 0-30% AMI; 90 persons within 31-50% AMI; 25 within 51-60%; and 15 within 61-80% AMI 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 low-income residents experiencing a housing legal issue 7. Housing Projects Unit Size Total Units in Project Proposed HOME-ARP Units Proposed Contract Rent SRO Studio/Eff 1BR 2BR 3BR 4BR Non-Congregate Shelter Projects Unit Size Total Units in Project SRO Studio/Eff 1BR 2BR 3BR 4BR Proposed rental assistance contract term Unit Size Projected Households to be Assisted SRO Studio/Eff 1BR 2BR 3BR 4BR 9. Supportive Services Projects Projected Single Individuals to be Assisted $ $ $ $ $ $ 8. TBRA Projects 113 0 Projected Families to be Assisted Describe the specific environment in which the qualifying participants will present to be enrolled for services Affordable Housing Development Projects Number of people on housing waiting list Total number of units owned by the organization Number of federally funded units (CDBG, HOME, LIHTC, CoC, etc.) Total number of units currently vacant Total vacancy rate Number of federally funded units vacant Does your organization use a property management company? If yes, please indicate the entity Non-Congregate Shelter Projects Number of people on shelter waiting list Number of shelter beds/units owned by the organization Number of federally funded shelter beds (ESG, etc.) Number of beds not occupied as of last Point in Time Count Total vacancy rate (Question 4/Question 2) Number of federally funded shelter beds vacant as of last Point in Time Count 11. Proposed Project Timetable Include milestones such as rezoning, construction schedule, application(s) for other funding, expected commitment dates, hiring dates, service delivery start dates etc. as applicable. Attach additional sheets as necessary. Date Milestone 500 i.e. shelter, street outreach, PSH, etc. Low-income residents seeking housing legal assistance may call or come to the Iowa City office during business hours, complete a secure form on our website, or come to the helpdesk at the Johnson County Courthouse. Staff from Shelter House and an attorney from Iowa Legal Aid are present at the courthouse to meet with tenants weekly during the time when eviction cases are heard. 10. Vacancy & Property Management July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2025 Provide legal services to help stabilize housing for 1,000 low-to-moderate income Iowa City residents. 12. Describe how the project will promote the efficient use of funding over the compliance term and beyond: 13. Describe how the project will provide for affordable housing or public assistance at rates or prices lower than those in the current existing market: 14. Describe in what manner or form the project will proceed if awarded less than full funding; if there are several elements of the project, describe how they will be prioritized: 15. For Non-Congregate Shelters: HOME-ARP Funds cannot be used for operating costs of non-congregate shelters. Describe how the ongoing operating costs will be funded, at least for the minimum compliance period: 16. For Non-Congregate Shelters: Do you anticipate the future conversion of the Non-Congregate Shelter to Rental Housing? Explain: October 1, 2022 – July 31, 2025* Provide quarterly reports as scheduled by the City of Iowa City to include invoices of expenses incurred and information as requested. June 30, 2025 Project close-out. Iowa Legal Aid manages hundreds of federal, state, and private grants. Our largest funding source, Legal Services Corporation (LSC), is a federal entity governed by laws and regulations imposed by Congress. As an LSC funding recipient, we must comply with a significant array of fiscal and administrative regulatory requirements. Our Finance Team includes four full-time staff members with significant experience in nonprofit award management. Iowa Legal Aid has a history of program sustainability and success in fundraising. We employ a full-time Director of Development and three additional full-time fundraising professionals who work to secure funding and manage accounts. n/a Iowa Legal Aid strives to ensure the legal assistance it provides helps clients obtain their most basic needs. Less resources will result in fewer clients receiving the full suite of legal services that they need. For example, a client may receive legal advice instead of legal representation in court. Iowa Legal Aid prioritizes staff resources by representing those clients with the most critical legal need. n/a n/a Section 4 - Capacity and Applicant History 17. HOME and/or CDBG funds received and status of the project(s) undertaken Timeframe Budget Expended through 2021 Date Project Completed July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017 July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018 July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019 July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020 July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021 July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022 18. Describe your organization’s experience and capacity to administer the proposed program. Identify any prior year funds that remain unspent. If funds remain, justify this funding request. 19. Do you anticipate receiving and/or expending over $750,000 in federal funds in a single fiscal year? $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 70,528.00$ 70,528.00$ 5/31/2022 Iowa Legal Aid has been providing free civil legal services to low-income Iowans since 1977, including tenants facing eviction and other housing issues in urban and rural communities. We have extensive experience implementing large federal, state, and privately funded projects, many of them statewide through our ten regional offices throughout Iowa. From 2019 – 2021, Iowa Legal Aid has received more than $10,269,000 in federal funds, including CARES Act funding and disaster-related funds through the following departments and initiatives: -Legal Services Corporation is our largest single funder and source of income -U.S. Department of Justice - Violence Against Women Act -U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Fair Housing Initiative Project -Corporation for National and Community Service - AmeriCorps In addition to these federal grants, Iowa Legal Aid manages awards from the State of Iowa, county boards of supervisors, private foundations, corporations, United Way organizations, and other funders that require accurate recordkeeping, regular reporting on progress toward goals, and compliance with regulations. These grants require a binding commitment to shared terms and conditions between our organization and those awarding the funds. Our many formal affiliations with government agencies and other organizations outline the development and implementation of projects to provide legal services to vulnerable populations. These and other examples demonstrate our expertise and 45 years of experience conducting large scale projects. This experience translates to our commitment to implement the goals and objectives in this proposed project. No prior year funds remain unspent from the CDBG-CV award of $35,696. The grant period for this award was July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022. 20. Describe your organization’s structure, officers, and staff. 21. Describe the education and experience of the key staff who will implement the project (excludes volunteers, board members, and consultants). Yes No Iowa Legal Aid has been meeting the civil legal needs of low- income Iowans for 45 years. We help our clients secure income, housing, and safety by increasing benefits, preventing evictions, and stopping domestic violence. We stabilize individuals, families, and communities through strategic initiatives to help children, seniors, veterans, disaster victims, people with disabilities, and survivors of domestic violence. Iowa Legal Aid operates ten regional offices across the state and is the only legal services provider serving all 99 counties. Nick Smithberg serves as executive director. Jackie Pullen is chief financial officer. Alexander Kornya is our litigation director. Angela Broughton-Romain and Shelley Whitcher serve as deputy directors. More than 110 attorneys, paralegals, support staff, and other professionals are dedicated to making hope, dignity, and justice available to low-income Iowans through legal assistance. An 18-member board of directors meets quarterly and provides oversight for the organization. Our bylaws require 11 members to be attorneys admitted to practice in Iowa. Appointments are made to reasonably reflect the diversity of our clients and staff. Six members are persons who are eligible to receive services at the time of their appointment. There is one at-large member who is not required to be an attorney, nor eligible to receive services. 22. Describe your organization’s business/operations plan approach and identify the relevant factors that help verify the demand for the proposed project. If another organization provides the same services, explain why both projects are needed to address the need. 23. Describe your organization’s activities and portfolio, including projects currently underway. For housing providers/developers, include number of units owned/managed. The key project staff in the Iowa City Regional Office have a combined 48 years of experience practicing public and poverty law and have spent their careers providing legal services for low-income clients. Jim Kringlen, Managing Attorney, earned his undergraduate degree from Iowa State University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa College of Law. Jim has more than 30 years’ experience working in legal services in West Virginia and in Iowa. He joined Iowa Legal Aid as a staff attorney in the Iowa City Regional Office 26 years ago. As managing attorney, Jim supervises eight staff attorneys, three intake paralegals, and AmeriCorps service members in the Iowa City Regional Office. He maintains a varied case load, including public and private housing and consumer matters with an emphasis on access to utilities and safe housing. Charles Pierce, Staff Attorney, completed his undergraduate degree at Stanford University and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of IA College of Law. Charles has been a member of the Iowa City Regional Office since 2002. He completed an internship during law school in the Ottumwa Regional Office of Iowa Legal Aid. Charles works with housing and consumer law as well as family law. He represents Iowa Legal Aid through his service with the Johnson County Coalition Against Domestic Violence and received the Pat Meyer Vision Award for his contributions. Emma Shimanovsky, Staff Attorney, is a graduate of the University of Iowa and earned her Juris Doctor at Drake University Law School. Emma has worked on more than 1,250 cases in the eight years she has been a staff attorney with Iowa Legal Aid. Her focus is largely on family, consumer, and housing law and has worked for both the Black Hawk and Johnson County eviction helpdesks. Emma also completed an internship with Iowa Legal Aid in the Central Iowa Regional Office in Des Moines during law school. Data provided by the National Equity Atlas shows that 1,930 households in Iowa City are behind on rent and collectively owe an estimated $4,050,000. The average rent debt per household is estimated at $2,100. An estimated 1,700 children are a part of these households. This data is current as of May 9, 2022. Over the past 12 months, Iowa Legal Aid received 251 calls and inquiries from Iowa City residents on housing related issues. Of those calls, 184 clients worked with Iowa Legal Aid staff to resolve their legal issues – just ten percent of the 1,930 households reported by National Equity Atlas. With the new HOME CDBG Income and Rent Table with increased income levels, more of the families we serve are falling into lower AMI groups. These new income levels will identify more individuals and families as income-eligible for our services in this project. 24. Describe any identity of interest (IOI) relationships with the applicant and/or project owners. (i.e. General Partner has a financial interest in the construction company, etc.) 25. Describe how you will incorporate sustainability initiatives into your project to help carry out the City’s Climate Action Plan. 26. Explain how your agency promotes racial equity and inclusivity for marginalizes populations (including, but not limited to; people of color, LGBTQ+, immigrants/refugees, individuals with disabilities) Iowa Legal Aid makes hope, dignity and justice available to low-income Iowans. We provide legal assistance education that protect fundamental rights, basic necessities, and access to the judicial system. We challenge policies and practices that harm low-income persons. We stabilize families and communities and help them achieve economic development. We empower clients to advocate effectively for themselves and their communities. The services provided by Iowa Legal Aid range from legal advice and brief service to representation before state and federal courts and administrative agencies. During the past 12 months, Iowa Legal Aid has closed 1,343 cases of all types for 1,002 low-income Iowa City clients. The total number of individuals involved in these cases is 2,847 and includes 1,200 children. Clients from communities of color represented 54 percent of all clients in the past 12 months. Sixty-two percent of clients were women. Twenty- three percent of clients reported having a disability. Housing makes up 37 percent of all Iowa City cases. Nearly 25 percent of cases involve family law and include issues of child custody, divorce, domestic violence, and protective orders. Nine percent of cases involved unemployment benefits. Consumer law cases include bankruptcy, garnishment, and collections. These represented eight percent of cases in the past 12 months. We operate numerous specialized projects to help meet the unique needs of Iowa's most vulnerable populations. In addition to eviction diversion, other projects include: • Legal Hotline for Older Iowans: We advise Iowans 60 years of age and older on issues impacting the elderly, such as Medicare, long-term care, and end-of-life planning. • Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic: We assist Iowans in resolving tax controversies. • Race Equity Project: We help individuals who have been involved with the justice system overcome barriers to housing, employment, and educational opportunities. • Veterans Project: We assist veterans and their families with VA compensation and pension claims, overpayments, issues involving the VA medical center, and discharge upgrades. Our work is augmented by private attorneys who participate in our Volunteer Lawyers Project. Through this project local attorneys agree to accept referrals from us and provide their services free of charge. n/a n/a Nearly all our clients live at or below 125 percent of Federal Poverty. Women, people of color, and people with disabilities are disproportionately represented compared to the population at large. Civil legal services for people with low-income reduces disparities for people who face inequities. There is no constitutional right to legal counsel or representation in civil matters as there is in criminal cases. There is no court- appointed lawyer for clients who cannot afford to hire an attorney for civil cases. Without legal aid, individuals have limited knowledge of their rights, options, and legal solutions to problems. Access to the court to get the protection and help they are entitled to receive is limited. When one party has the means to hire an attorney and the other does not, a deeply unfair situation exists. Limited access to justice is an example of systemic, institutional, and historical barriers predicting socioeconomic, education, education, and health outcomes. Addressing these systemic causes of economic, racial, and ethnic in any community is the goal of legal services. When people with low-income have access to legal services for any civil matter, they make informed decisions, are empowered rather than disenfranchised, and have some level of equality in accessing the judicial system. Our legal staff educates every client about their rights under the law, which is something that many people with low-income, seniors, and persons with disabilities are not aware they have. Even if they are fully aware of their rights, there are very few people who can navigate the judicial system without legal assistance. For those who cannot afford to hire an attorney, this often leads to resignation that nothing can be done. This is where free legal services provided by organizations like Iowa Legal Aid seek to interrupt that ongoing pattern of disparity. A successful legal case can lead to numerous positive outcomes that can improve the financial and economic well-being and health for clients and their families. Section 5 - Required Documentation Description Requirement W-9 Form (Requested for Tax ID & Certification)Required SAM.gov Registration All subrecipients must register on SAM.gov before a legally binding agreement can be signed. Attach your SAM.gov Entity Registration Summary as evidence that this has been completed. Required Unique Entity ID (UEI) Effective April 2022 the federal government stopped using DUNS numbers to uniquely identify entities and transitioned to utilizing UEI numbers issued by SAM.gov. For help obtaining a UEI: External UEI Transition FactSheet Attach documentation of your UEI. Required Organizational Status Go to https://sos.iowa.gov/search/business to look up the organization applying for funds. Provide a copy of the Business Entity Summary screen. Required Commitment Letters Attach the following for committed funding sources listed in Section 2. Non-Congregate Shelter Projects: Attach documentation indicating secured sources for ongoing operating costs and any operating gap that will require additional assistance. If a gap is identified, attach a plan for securing additional funding for successful operation of the project. Non-Congregate Shelter Projects: Required All other projects: Required if other sources identified as recommended. (Match not required) Evidence of Relevant Experience Attach evidence of the applicant’s previous experience carrying out the proposed activities. Non-Congregate Shelter Projects: In addition to attaching evidence of the applicant’s experience operating shelters, also attach evidence of the developer’s skills and experience related to the development of shelters or similar facilities. Non-Congregate Shelter Projects: Required All other projects: Recommended Evidence of Fiscal Capacity Evidence of fiscal capacity is required. Sufficient alternative financial information may be accepted. Attach: • 3 years Balance Sheets • 3 years Profit & Loss Statements • Most recent audit (if applicable) Required Evidence of Organizational Capacity Up to four pages of additional information about the capacity of the organization may be included. Example of possible evidence may be: • Resumes of key staff • Additional description of organizational activities • Complete list of board members & their contact information Required Scope of work Include a write up of the work to be completed and include copies of cost estimates that are the basis of the budget tables. Required, if the project includes development of affordable housing or non-congregate shelter. Pro forma Acquisition, rehabilitation, or new construction projects MUST include completed pro forma. Excel format is provided by the City. Applications for acquisition, rehabilitation, or new construction projects without the City’s pro forma will not be considered. Required, if the project includes development of affordable housing or non-congregate shelter. Upload Documents * Iowa Legal Aid Form W9 v3.29.2022.pdf 315.8KB ILA SAM Entity Registration Summary.pdf 105.05KB ILA Unique Entity ID documentation.pdf 103.62KB ILA Iowa Business Entity Summary.pdf 82.06KB Iowa Legal Aid Evidence of Relevant Experience.docx 12.93KB Iowa Legal Aid 2021 Audit Report.pdf 532.66KB ILA Evidence of Relevant Experience.pdf 50.21KB ILA Evidence of Organization Capacity.pdf 227.1KB ILA Commitment Letters or Agreements.pdf 899.2KB ILA Evidence of Fiscal Capacity.pdf 88.76KB