Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 6 - Economic Development
Part 4 - Community Services
Chapter 8 - Emergency Shelter Grants Program
Rule 6-4-8.9 - Threshold Requirements

A. Applications submitted by a local unit of government must include a copy of the Resolution authorizing submission of this application. The Resolution must be adopted by the local unit of government and must be signed and dated by the local unit of government's Chief Elected Official.

B. Applications submitted by non-profit organizations operating homeless shelters must include a copy of the authorizing resolution. The Resolution must be adopted by the nonprofit organization's Board and must be signed and dated by the President of the Board.

C. Applications from non-profit organizations operating homeless shelters must also include a letter from the local unit of government approving the submission of the application. The letter must refer to the current ESG Program Year for which the application is being submitted and be signed by the Chief Elected Official.

D. To be eligible for 2011 funds, at least 80% of the 2010 project funds must be drawn in the IDIS system at the time an application is submitted. Any project funded with 2009 funds must be expended and a closeout package submitted to be eligible to apply for 2011 funds. And if funded, no funds may be drawn down on the new grant until the previously funded ESG project is closed out with CSD.

E. Match requirement must be documented in the application. The matching amount must be equal to the amount of ESG funds being requested. The match amount may include funds from other sources, the value or fair rental value of any donated material or building (this source can only be utilized as match one time), the value of any lease on a building, any salary paid to staff to carry out the program, and the value of the time and services (at a rate of $5.00 per hour) contributed by volunteers to carry out the program. If match includes funds from other sources or the value of the time and services contributed by volunteers to carry out the program, applicants must provide a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding or Agreement, or letter of support from the entities providing match. This documentation must identify the match type, match amount and must cover the grant Program Year time period for this application. If a facility is to be used as matching funds, a recent appraisal (less than two years) of the facility must be included. A current appraisal is also required if the local unit of government is submitting an application on behalf of an existing shelter. If the value of any lease on a building is to be used as matching funds, a copy of the lease information indicating the lease amount must be included. If donated materials are to be utilized as match, documentation from the donor indicating the type of materials and their value, and the date or proposed date of the donation must be submitted in the application.

F. Applicants must not have any unresolved audit or monitoring findings. In addition, if a community or organization has ANY CSD concerns that have not been resolved, then CSD may not review the application and the application may be disqualified from consideration in funding. This includes but is not limited to, failing to submit required reports, etc.

G. Contracts will be sent out after the award is made. Environmental clearance and special conditions clearance must be completed within four (4) months of the award date or the contract may be voided. No request for cash will be processed until the environmental clearance is granted. Waivers to the four (4) months rule may be granted on a case-by-case basis. The Division Director will be the only signature authority for waivers.

H. Any application that has been prepared by an application preparer who is involved in a pending debarment or suspension proceeding before a state or federal agent shall not be reviewed until such time as the debarment proceeding has been finally resolved. Additionally, no person who is involved in a suspension or debarment proceeding shall be allowed to administer a CDBG, ESG or HOME project until such time as the suspension or debarment process or finding is resolved.

I. The shelter board must be composed of at least one (1) homeless or former homeless person in a decision-making capacity.