Notice of HUD's Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 General Section and FY2008 SuperNOFA for HUD's Discretionary Grant Programs; Correction, 33446-33451 [E8-13285]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 114 (Thursday, June 12, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33446-33451]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-13285]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5200-C-01A2]


Notice of HUD's Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 General Section and FY2008 
SuperNOFA for HUD's Discretionary Grant Programs; Correction

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HUD.

ACTION: Super Notice of Funding Availability (SuperNOFA) for HUD 
Discretionary Grant Programs; correction.

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SUMMARY: On March 19, 2008, HUD published its Notice of Fiscal Year 
(FY) 2008 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA); Policy Requirements 
and General Section to HUD's FY2008 NOFAs for Discretionary Programs 
(General Section). On May 12, 2008, HUD published its FY2008 SuperNOFA, 
for HUD's Discretionary Grant Programs. This document corrects the 
hourly rate for consultants as published in the March 19, 2008, General 
Section. This document also makes corrections or clarifications to the 
following sections of the May 12, 2008, SuperNOFA: Appendix A of the 
Introduction to the SuperNOFA, the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control 
Grant Program, Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Program, and 
Operation Lead Elimination Action Program; the Lead Outreach Grant 
Program; the Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency Program; 
the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) Service 
Coordinators Program; and the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity 
Program (SHOP). Finally, this notice provides notice to all applicants 
regarding a technical issue with the Grants.gov SF-424 form and 
provides guidance to address the issue.

DATES: The application submission dates for the Lead-Based Paint Hazard 
Control Grant Program, Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant 
Program, and Operation Lead Elimination Action Program NOFA, the Lead 
Outreach Grant Program NOFA, and the Resident Opportunity and Self-
Sufficiency (ROSS) Service Coordinators Program NOFA remain as 
published in the Federal Register on May 12, 2008. The deadline date 
for the Housing Choice Voucher Program has been moved to July 16, 2008. 
The deadline date for the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program 
(SHOP) has been moved to July 18, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding the General 
Section of March 19, 2008, should be directed to the NOFA Information 
Center between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time at (800) 
HUD-8929. Hearing-impaired persons may call 800-HUD-2209. For the 
programs listed in this notice, please contact the office or individual 
listed under section VII of the applicable program sections of the 
SuperNOFA, published on May 12, 2008.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 19, 2008 (73 FR 14882), HUD 
published its Notice of Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Notice of Funding 
Availability (NOFA); Policy Requirements and General Section to HUD's 
FY2008 NOFAs for Discretionary Programs (General Section). Early 
publication of the General Section was intended to provide prospective 
applicants additional time to become familiar with and address those 
provisions in the General Section that constitute part of almost every 
application. On May 12, 2008 (73 FR 27032), HUD published its Notice of 
HUD's Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 SuperNOFA for HUD's Discretionary Grant 
Programs. The FY 2008 SuperNOFA announced the availability of 
approximately $1.02 billion in HUD assistance. This notice published in 
today's Federal Register corrects the hourly rate for consultants as 
published in the March 19, 2008, General Section. This notice also 
makes technical corrections to the following sections of the May 12, 
2008, SuperNOFA: Appendix A of the Introduction to the SuperNOFA; the 
Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program, Lead Hazard Reduction 
Demonstration Grant Program, and Operation Lead Elimination Action 
Program; the Lead Outreach Grant Program; the Housing Choice Voucher 
Family Self-Sufficiency Program; the Resident Opportunity and Self-
Sufficiency (ROSS) Service Coordinators Program; and the Self-Help 
Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP). This notice also provides 
notice to all applicants regarding a technical issue with the 
Grants.gov SF-424 form in the funding opportunity Application Package 
and provides guidance to address the issue.

I. Correction of General Section

    On March 19, 2008 (73 FR 14882), HUD published its General Section. 
At page 14887, section III.C.4.l., second column, HUD stated that the 
hourly wage for the equivalent of General Schedule 15, Step 10 base pay 
rate is $57.90. The correct hourly rate for the equivalent of General 
Schedule 15, Step 10 base pay rate is actually $59.42.
    Accordingly, at page 14887, section III.C.4.l., second column, in 
the March

[[Page 33447]]

19, 2008, Notice of HUD's FY2008, Notice of Funding Availability 
(NOFA), Policy Requirements and General Section to the SuperNOFA for 
HUD's Discretionary Grant Programs, the following correction is made:
    1. Salary Limitation for Consultants. FY2008 funds may not be used 
to pay or to provide reimbursement for payment of the salary of a 
consultant, whether retained by the federal government or the grantee, 
at a rate more than the equivalent of General Schedule 15, Step 10 base 
pay rate for which the annual rate for FY2008 is $124,010. The hourly 
rate is $59.42.

II. Summary of Technical Corrections

    On May 12, 2008, HUD published its FY2008 SuperNOFA. Today's 
publication corrects certain sections of the SuperNOFA. Summaries of 
the technical corrections made by this document follow. The page number 
shown in brackets identifies where the individual funding availability 
announcement that is being corrected can be found in the May 12, 2008, 
SuperNOFA. The technical correction described in today's Federal 
Register will also be reflected in the application instructions located 
on Grants.gov/Apply. Applicants who have submitted their applications 
prior to this publication can choose to resubmit an updated application 
that reflects the corrections and clarifications. The last application 
received and validated by Grants.gov by the deadline date will be the 
application that is reviewed and rated.

Introduction to the SuperNOFA--Appendix A [27035]

    As discussed in this technical correction notice, HUD is moving the 
application deadline dates for the Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-
Sufficiency and SHOP NOFAs. The new deadline date for the Housing 
Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency NOFA will be July 16, 2008. The 
new deadline date for the SHOP NOFA will be July 18, 2008. HUD is, 
therefore, correcting the entries for the Housing Choice Voucher Family 
Self-Sufficiency Program and the SHOP NOFAs on Appendix A to reflect 
these changes.

Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program, Lead Hazard Reduction 
Demonstration Grant Program, and Operation Lead Elimination Action 
Program [27159]

    On page 27161, Section I.B.4., first column, and on page 27168, 
Section IV.F.2, first column, the deadline date for applicants to 
request a waiver of the 25 percent match requirement does not match the 
date posted on Grants.gov. HUD is correcting the deadline date to 
request a waiver in the SuperNOFA to match that listed on Grants.gov.

Lead Outreach Grant Program [27188]

    On page 27189, Section II entitled ``Eligibility Information'', 
third column, HUD inadvertently identified this section as section 
``II.'' It should be section ``III.''
    On page 27190, section III entitled ``application and submission 
information'', second column, HUD inadvertently identified this section 
as section ``iii.'' it should be section ``iv.''
    On page 27191, section v.a, third column, HUD incorrectly cross-
referenced to information discussing threshold requirements and is 
deleting the incorrect cross-reference.
    On page 27193, section V.A.3.e.(3), second column, HUD is 
correcting the requirement for including a separate budget and budget 
narrative when sub-grantees receive a portion of the award.
    These corrections are also reflected in the instructions found on 
Grants.gov/Apply. Applicants must download the instructions to receive 
all forms and instructions related to this NOFA. Applicants are 
encouraged to read the instructions on Grants.gov/Apply prior to 
submitting your application in response to the Lead Outreach Program 
funding opportunity.

Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program [27210]

    On page 27211, paragraph F under ``Overview Information'', first 
column, as discussed in this notice, HUD is moving the deadline date 
for applications to July 16, 2008.
    On page 27213, section III.C.3.g. entitled ``Affirmatively 
Furthering Fair Housing'', HUD is revising the timeline for applicants 
to submit their plans to affirmatively further fair housing (AFFH). 
Specifically, HUD is changing the date for applicants to submit this 
plan from prior to the application date to prior to the award of 
funding. This extension is required because implementation of an AFFH 
policy for the FSS program trigger a 45-day public comment period for 
the proposed AFFH policy followed by board approval of the policy prior 
to submission to HUD. The original application deadline did not allow 
sufficient time for PHAs to complete the steps required for approval 
and submission of their AFFH statements.
    These corrections are also reflected in the instructions found on 
Grants.gov/Apply. Applicants must download the instructions to receive 
all forms and instructions related to this NOFA. Applicants are 
encouraged to read the instructions on Grants.gov/Apply prior to 
submitting your application in response to the Housing Choice Voucher 
Family Self-Sufficiency Program funding opportunity

Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency Coordinators Program [27230]

    On page 27230, section I.B.1, third column, HUD is clarifying for 
applicants how the number of occupied units should be counted in order 
to determine the number of positions for which an applicant may apply.
    On page 27232, section II.C.1.a., third column, HUD is noting that 
more than one person may job-share a Service Coordinator position.
    On page 27239, section V.B.2., first column, entitled ``Selection 
Process for all Grant Categories and All Applicants,'' HUD is 
clarifying that all Resident Association applicants, even those that 
apply as nonprofits, must have a contract administrator.
    These corrections are also reflected in the instructions found on 
Grants.gov/Apply. Applicants must download the instructions to receive 
all forms and instructions related to this NOFA. Applicants are 
encouraged to read the instructions on Grants.gov/Apply prior to 
submitting your application in response to the Resident Opportunity and 
Self-Sufficiency Coordinators Program funding opportunity.

Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program [27250]

    On page 27250, section F under ``Overview Information,'' first 
column, HUD is moving the deadline date for the SHOP NOFA to July 18, 
2008.
    On page 27253, section III.C.4.e., first column, HUD is clarifying 
the requirement for applicants to reduce energy costs.
    On page 27254, section VI.C., second column entitled, ``Submission 
Date and Time,'' HUD is moving the deadline date for the SHOP NOFA to 
July 18, 2008.
    On page 27256, under ``Submission Requirements for Rating Factor 
3,'' section d., third column entitled ``Cost Effective to the 
Homebuyer,'' HUD is clarifying the requirement for applicants to 
disclose the contract sales price to the homebuyer and the appraised or 
market value of the home.
    On page 27258, section V.A.5, second column entitled, ``Rating 
Factor 5. Achieving Result and Program Evaluation (10 points),'' HUD is 
clarifying that applicants should include actual or estimated costs for 
utilities and any applicable

[[Page 33448]]

homeownership association fee when comparing total housing costs of new 
self-help units to previous rents.
    On page 27258, section V.A.5, third column entitled ``Submission 
Requirements for Rating Factor 5,'' HUD is revising this section to 
advises applicants that HUD has developed and posted on Grants.gov a 
revised eLogic Model form that incorporates the revision to Rating 
Factor 5 that instructs applicants to include actual or estimated 
utility and other costs. HUD encourages applicants to download and use 
the revised eLogic Model.
    These corrections are also reflected in the instructions found on 
Grants.gov/Apply. Applicants must download the instructions to receive 
all forms and instructions related to this NOFA. Applicants are 
encouraged to read the instructions on Grants.gov/Apply prior to 
submitting your application in response to the Self-Help Homeownership 
Opportunity Program funding opportunity.
    Accordingly, in the May 12, 2008, Notice of HUD's FY2008 SuperNOFA 
for HUD's Discretionary Grant Programs, beginning at 73 FR 27032, the 
following corrections are made.
1. Introduction to the SuperNOFA--Appendix A Beginning at Page 27035
    At page 27035, as discussed in this notice, HUD is moving the 
deadline date for the Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency 
Program to July 16, 2008. HUD is also moving the deadline date for the 
SHOP NOFA to July 18, 2008. As a result, the entries for the Housing 
Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency Program and SHOP NOFA on 
Appendix A at page 27035 should read as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Application deadline  (All
                                                                               applications must be received and
                                                                                validated by Grants.gov no later
   Programs included in the FY2008 SuperNOFA      Approximate funding amounts   than 11:59:59 p.m., eastern time
                                                           available           on the application deadline date.
                                                                                   See details in the General
                                                                                           Section.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency                    $49,000,000  July 16, 2008.
 (FSS) Program.
    CFDA No: 14,871
    OMB Approval No.: 2577-0178
Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program                        26,500,000  July 18, 2008.
 (SHOP).
    CFDA No: 14,247
    OMB Approval No.: 2506-0157
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program, Lead Hazard Reduction 
Demonstration Grant Program, and Operation Lead Elimination Action 
Program [27159]
    On page 27161, Section I.B.4., first column, HUD is correcting this 
section to read as follows:
    4. Applicants to the LHRD grant program may request a waiver of the 
25 percent match requirement, if the applicant submits a request that 
meets HUD's criteria. See unit III.B.2, Eligibility Information, below. 
The request for the waiver of the match, with supporting narrative and 
documentation, must be submitted in accordance with unit IV.F.2, below, 
to be received no later than June 23, 2008.
    On page 27168, section IV.F.2, first column, HUD is correcting this 
section to read as follows:
    2. Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Program match waiver. 
Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Program applicants requesting 
a waiver from the 25 percent match requirement are required to submit a 
request by e-mail. LHRD match waiver requests must be submitted no 
later than 11:59 pm on June 23, 2008, and should be submitted to 
Jonnette Hawkins, Director, Programs Division, Office of Healthy Homes 
and Lead Hazard Control, at Jonnette.G.Hawkins@hud.gov. HUD will 
respond to the LHRD match waiver requests by e-mail no later than July 
2, 2008, and, if a mailing address is provided in a request, by letter 
within 5 working days thereafter.
3. Lead Outreach Grant Program Beginning at Page 27188
    On page 27189, Section II entitled ``Eligibility Information'', 
third column, is corrected to read as follows:

III. Eligibility Information

    On page 27190, section III entitled ``Application and Submission 
Information'', second column, is corrected to read as follows:

IV. Application and Submission Information

    On page 27191, section V.A, third column, HUD is correcting this 
paragraph to read as follows:
    A. Criteria. Applications that meet all of the threshold 
requirements will be eligible to be scored and ranked, based on the 
total number of points allocated for each of the rating factors 
described in this NOFA. The application must receive a total score of 
at least 75 points to be considered for funding.
    On page 27193, section V.A.3.e.(3), second column, HUD is 
correcting this section to read as follows:
    (3) Include a separate budget (HUD-424-CBW) and budget narrative 
for any sub-grantee receiving more than 10 percent of total budget 
request.
4. Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program 
beginning at page 27210
    On page 27211, paragraph F under ``Overview Information'', first 
column, is corrected to read as follows:
    F. Dates: The application deadline date is July 16, 2008. Please 
see the General Section for timely receipt requirements.
    On page 27213, section III.C.3.g. entitled ``Affirmatively 
Furthering Fair Housing,'' HUD is revising the second sentence of this 
paragraph to read as follows:
    Prior to the award of funding under this NOFA, each applicant must 
submit to the public housing director in the applicant's local HUD 
field office an addendum to the applicant's HCV administrative plan 
that outlines reasonable steps the applicant will take to affirmatively 
further fair housing in its HCV FSS program and how it will maintain 
records of those steps and their impacts.
5. Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency Coordinators Program 
Beginning at Page 27230
    On page 27230, section I.B.1, third column, HUD is correcting this 
paragraph to read as follows:
    1. For PHA and Tribe/TDHE applicants, the number of positions is 
determined by number of ACC units. PHAs must use the number of occupied

[[Page 33449]]

conventional public housing units as of September 30, 2007. Tribes/
TDHEs must use the number of units counted as Formula Current Assisted 
Stock for FY 2007 as defined in 24 CFR 1000.316. Tribes that have not 
previously received funds from the Department under the U.S. Housing 
Act of 1937 should count housing units under management that are owned 
and operated by the Tribe and that are identified in their housing 
inventory as of September 30, 2007. Applicants may apply for up to 3 
Service Coordinators depending on the size and type of the applicant. 
Program ratio for number of eligible Service Coordinators is in the 
table above under ``Award Amounts.''
    On page 27232, section II.C.1.a., third column, correcting this 
section to read as follows:
    a. Salaries and fringe benefits of one or more Service 
Coordinators. A part-time Service Coordinator may be retained where 
appropriate, however, the minimum units served remains the same. One or 
more PHAs may share a full-time position if that is deemed most 
appropriate for the applicant's program. More than one person may job-
share a Service Coordinator position. Although the exact role for the 
SC shall be designed to meet the needs of the project's community, 
below is a listing of recommended functions for an SC:
    On page 27239, section V.B.2., first column, entitled ``Selection 
Process for all Grant Categories and All Applicants, HUD is correcting 
this section to read as follows:
    2. Selection Process for All Grant Categories and All Applicants. 
All qualified applications will be awarded based on a lottery. Per 
statute, twenty-five percent (25%) of funds will be set aside for 
Resident Associations and all qualifying Resident Association 
applications will be funded first, up to 25 percent of the funding 
amount. Even if applying as non-profits, state, national, and other 
incorporated non-profit Resident Associations will be included in this 
set-aside. To be included in this Resident Association Category, you 
must indicate your status on the HUD-52768. If an applicant indicates 
that they are a resident council for the purposes of this lottery 
designation, they must also supply a contract administrator partner 
agreement, even if applying as a nonprofit applicant. If there are more 
qualified resident organizations than 25% of the available funding, 
there will be an initial lottery for all resident organizations, then 
the remaining resident organizations will be put together with the rest 
of the qualified applicants for a second general lottery.
6. Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program Beginning at Page 27250
    On page 27250, section F under ``Overview Information,'' first 
column, HUD is moving the deadline date for the SHOP NOFA to July 18, 
2008, therefore, this section is corrected to read as follows:
    F. Dates: The application deadline date for electronic submission 
and validation in Grants.gov is July 18, 2008. Applications submitted 
through https://www.grants.gov must be received and validated by 
Grants.gov no later than 11:59:59 Eastern time on the application 
deadline date. The validation process may take up to 72 hours.
    On page 27253, section III.C.4.e., first column, HUD is clarifying 
the requirement for applicants to reduce energy cost to read as 
follows.
    e. Reduce Energy Costs. Applicants are required to take specific 
energy-saving actions. In the new construction of self-help housing, 
SHOP applicants must incorporate energy-efficiency measures in the 
design and construction of self-help housing units. All newly 
constructed units assisted with SHOP funds provided under this NOFA 
must qualify and receive Energy Star Certification by an independent 
Home Energy Rater (HER) upon completions and only Energy Star labeled 
products and appliances may be used in these units.
    On page 27254, section VI.C., second column entitled, ``Submission 
Date and Time,'' HUD is moving the deadline date for the SHOP NOFA to 
July 18, 2008, therefore, this section is corrected to read as follows:

C. Submission Date and Time

    The electronic application must be received and validated no later 
than 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern time by Grants.gov on the application 
deadline date, which is July 18, 2008. The validation process may take 
24-48 hours. Applicants are advised to submit applications 72 hours in 
advance. By doing so, if your application fails validation and 
Grants.gov rejects the application, you have time to correct the noted 
problems prior to the deadline date. If an applicant is granted a 
waiver to the electronic application submission requirement, the 
application must be received at HUD Headquarters by the application 
deadline date (see General Section).
    On page 27256, under ``Submission Requirements for Rating Factor 
3,'' section d., third column entitled ``Cost Effective to the 
Homebuyer,'' HUD is clarifying the requirement for applicants to 
disclose the contract sales price to the homebuyer and the appraised or 
market value of the home to read as follows:
    d. Cost Effective to the Homebuyer (7 points). State how the sales 
price for SHOP-assisted units is established (provide a table outlining 
separate costs for land purchase and infrastructure improvements paid 
by the affiliate; land and infrastructure improvements charged to the 
homebuyer; construction and project-related soft costs, such as 
architectural, engineering and related professional services; and any 
other costs charged to the homebuyer including 2nd or additional 
mortgages that must be repaid by the homebuyer upon sale of the 
property). You must include in the table the contract sales price to 
the homebuyer and the appraised or market value. You must demonstrate 
the extent to which the investment of SHOP funds, the contribution of 
sweat equity and volunteer labor, donations (e.g., land or building 
materials), in-kind contributions, and financing subsidies, further 
reduce the sales price to the homebuyer below the appraised value of 
the house or market value of comparable housing in the neighborhood. 
This must be demonstrated for homebuyers receiving both USDA and non-
USDA construction assistance. Applicants showing a larger reduction of 
the sales price to the homebuyer from the appraised or market value as 
a result of the use of the SHOP funds for costs that are not charged to 
the homebuyer, the SHOP homebuyer's sweat equity, volunteer labor, and 
other contributions and subsidies not repaid by the homebuyer will 
receive a higher score.
    On page 27258, section V.A.5, second column entitled, ``Rating 
Factor 5. Achieving Result and Program Evaluation (10 points),'' HUD is 
revising the first paragraph of this section to read as follows:
    5. Rating Factor 5. Achieving Results and Program Evaluation (10 
points)
    This factor emphasizes HUD's determination to track whether 
applicants meet commitments made in their applications. HUD requires 
SHOP applicants to develop an effective, quantifiable, outcome-oriented 
evaluation plan for measuring performance and determining whether goals 
have been met using the Master Logic Model for SHOP, which can be found 
in the download instructions portion at https://www.grants.gov/
applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp. Applicants must clearly identify the 
``Outputs'' and ``Outcomes'' to be achieved and measured. Completed 
newly constructed or rehabilitated self-help housing units are outputs.

[[Page 33450]]

Outcomes are benefits accruing to the families and/or communities 
during or after participation in SHOP. Examples of outcomes include 
increasing the homeownership rate in a neighborhood or among low-income 
families by a certain percentage, increasing the property tax base by a 
certain value, or increasing housing stability (e.g., increasing assets 
of the low-income homebuyer households by creating household equity or 
reducing total housing costs compared to rents that SHOP participants 
previously paid. When comparing the total housing costs of new self-
help housing units to rents previously paid by homebuyers, applicants 
should include actual or estimated costs of utilities for the rental 
units and any applicable homeowner association fees and estimated 
utilities for the new housing units.) during and beyond the grantee's 
period for reporting on property completions. See Reporting in section 
VI.C. In addition, applicants must establish interim benchmarks for 
which outputs lead to the ultimate achievement of outcomes. ``Interim 
benchmarks'' are steps or stages in your activities that, if reached or 
completed successfully, will result in outputs for your program. 
Examples of interim benchmarks for SHOP include acquisition of land, 
completion of infrastructure, identification of income-qualified 
homebuyers, obtaining building permits, or securing construction 
materials and equipment.
    On page 27258, section V.A.5, third column entitled ``Submission 
Requirements for Rating Factor 5,'' HUD is revising this section to 
read as follows:

Submission Requirements for Rating Factor 5

    Program Evaluation Plan and Logic Model (10 Points). The FY 2008 
application requires submission of a written program evaluation plan 
and a completed eLogicModel \TM\. The eLogicModel \TM\ allows the 
applicant to select from drop down menus the elements of their program 
that are captured in the Logic Model. Instructions for the eLogic Model 
\TM\ are found in Tab 1 of the form HUD-96011 found in the instructions 
download to your electronic application. The Master Logic Model listing 
also identifies the unit of measure that HUD will collect for the 
output(s) and outcome(s) selected. Applicants must identify a unit of 
measure and establish a goal for each output and outcome.
    HUD has designated mandatory outputs and outcomes that must be 
addressed by the applicant. For both ``Housing Constructed'' and 
``Housing Rehabilitated,'' applicants must address the following five 
mandatory Outputs: (1) Sweat Equity (hours); (2) Volunteer Labor 
(hours); (3) Design incorporates energy efficiency measures and Energy 
Star Standards (units); (4) Policy Priority--Design incorporates 
universal design (units); and (5) Policy Priority--Design incorporates 
visitability standards (units).
    For both ``New construction'' and ``Rehabilitated units,'' 
applicants must address the following four mandatory Outcomes: (1) one 
of the three sets of ``average reduced sales price'' from 1-10 % 
(dollars and units) or from 11-30% (dollars and units) or greater than 
30% (dollars and units)--each set counts as two outcomes; (2) Increased 
housing stability--average decreased housing costs (dollars); and (3) 
Increased housing stability--average increased assets in savings 
(dollars).
    HUD has revised the eLogic Model \TM\ form HUD-96011, Tab 9 labeled 
``Outcomes,'' Column 5, Achievement Outcomes Goals and Indicator. 
Instead of ``percentage,'' the double asterisks (**) footnote should 
state: ``This is the average dollars of reduced housing costs to the 
families or increased assets to the families.'' HUD is also clarifying 
that for the projected outcome ``Increased housing stability--Average 
increased assets in savings,'' applicants are not asked to report on 
homebuyers' existing savings. This outcome requires applicants to 
measure the equity in the units at the time properties are completed 
and families close on their units. This equity increases any other 
assets in savings homebuyers may have at the time of closing.
    If an applicant's program consists of new construction or 
rehabilitation, but not both, the five mandatory outputs and four 
outcomes applicable to the program must be selected. If an applicant's 
program includes both new construction and rehabilitation, applicant 
must address all mandatory outputs/outcomes. However, applicants are 
expected to select additional outputs and outcomes identified in their 
work plan. Further, interim benchmarks, program indicators, outputs, 
and outcomes must be quantifiable.
    You must summarize your program evaluation plan that measures your 
own program performance. Your plan must measure the performance of 
individual consortium members and affiliates, including the standards 
and measurement methods, and the steps you have in place or how you 
plan to make adjustments if you begin to fall short of established 
benchmarks and time frames. Applicants that include both mandatory and 
optional outputs and outcomes and interim benchmarks, and prepare a 
written evaluation plan that meets the specified content requirements 
will receive a higher score. HUD will rate the eLogicModel \TM\ 
submission based upon the matrix contained in Attachment 1 to the 
General Section.

III. Guidance To Address Grants.gov SF-424 Issue

    The Department has been informed that applicants have experienced 
trouble completing the Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 
electronic form in the Grants.gov funding opportunity application 
package. Specifically, the Department has been alerted that if an 
applicant checks ``No'' to question number 20 (Is the Applicant 
Delinquent On Any Federal Debt?) and inadvertently places his or her 
cursor and clicks on the space on page 4 entitled ``Applicant Federal 
Debt Delinquency Explanation,'' the SF-424 will make the space a 
mandatory field that is yellow in color. The SF-424 will not allow 
applicants to enter text in the mandatory field. The reason for this 
behavior is that Adobe Reader 8.1.1 and 8.1.2 opens with a default with 
the Text Select Tool pointer (which look like a finger). This default 
was intended by Adobe Reader. The issue that this causes for Grants.gov 
forms is that the Text Select Tool, if clicked in a read-only form 
field will make the field mandatory without any means to fill in text 
or change it back to read only. As a result, HUD is advising applicants 
to avoid placing their cursors in the explanation space provided on the 
form if they check the response to question 20 as ``No.''
    If an applicant inadvertently triggers the creation of the 
mandatory field, the way to clear the form of the problem is to go back 
to question 20, click the ``Yes'' box and then click the ``No'' box. 
This brings the form back to the original state and eliminates the 
explanation field from being a mandatory field. An alternative way to 
address the issue is to go to the menu bar, select ``Tools,'' select 
from the drop-down bar ``Select and Zoom'' and then select ``Hand 
Tool.'' The Grants.gov help desk has been alerted to this issue and can 
help applicants address this issue.
    In addition, applicants are alerted that the form contains edit 
checks. To avoid a rejection notice, please make sure that dates 
provided in response to question 17, ``Proposed Project Start and end 
date,'' are internally consistent and that the project does not end 
prior to its proposed start date. If an applicant mistakenly provides a 
project end date that is prior to the start date, the

[[Page 33451]]

package will be rejected by Grants.gov due to an internal 
inconsistency.
    HUD again strongly advises applicants to submit their application 
to Grants.gov 72 hours in advance to the deadline date so that if they 
receive a rejection error, there is sufficient time for the applicant 
to cure the problem and resubmit in time to meet the deadline date 
requirements.

    Dated: June 9, 2008.
Keith A. Nelson,
Assistant Secretary for Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-13285 Filed 6-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P