**APPLICATION PERIOD CLOSED**

Housing and Essential Needs Program

2011-2013 Essential Needs Request for Proposals (RFP)

The Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) Grant Program was created by Engrossed Senate House Bill 2082. The HEN grant program will be administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce) and is comprised of several components: Administration, Rent Assistance, and Essential Needs.  Commerce intends contracting with existing homeless assistance grantees, including Snohomish County.

Snohomish County expects to receive approximately $335,191 for Essential Needs that the County intends to subcontract through this Request for Proposal (RFP). Approximately $33,519 of the $335,191 can be used for staff time and related operating costs, and the remaining funds must be used to purchase Essential Needs items.  In addition, the County anticipates passing on approximately $22,000 in administration funds. If funding is available, the grant will cover eight (8) months of the 2012 State Fiscal Year (11/2011 -6/2012), and the 2013 (7/2012 -6/2013) State Fiscal Year.  Respondents should note that grant funds are contingent upon funding being available.

The Essential Needs element of the HEN grant consists of three types of assistance:

1. Personal health and hygiene items (i.e., toothpaste, shampoo, soap, etc.),
2. Household cleaning supplies (laundry soap, dish detergent, etc.), and
3. Bus passes.

Application Submission and Due Date: Applications must be received by -
        Wednesday, September 27^th, 2011, no later than 4:00 pm.

Applications can be delivered in person to:

Division of Housing & Community Services
Snohomish County Human Services Department in downtown Everett
Receptionist station on the Lower Level of the Robert Drewel Building (Admin East) Oakes Ave entrance (download map of County government campus).
Please do NOT attempt to deliver to the 4th floor or to the Energy Assistance receptionist.

Or mailed to:
Applicants are strongly encouraged to mail early to avoid missing the deadline - applications received after the August 23rd deadline will be returned

Division of Housing & Community Services
Snohomish County Human Services Department
Attention: Jerry Gadek, Human Service Specialist II
3000 Rockefeller Ave, M/S 305
Everett, WA. 98201-4046

Technical Assistance and Bidders Meetings:

The Proposers' Question and Answer session is scheduled for Wednesday, September 7th, from 4:15 - 5:00 pm in the Office of Community and Homeless Services, 4th floor, Snohomish County Campus, Admin West (3000 Rockefeller Avenue, Everett WA). Attendance is strongly recommended.

Required Proposal Documents:

• Essential Needs Proposal (Coversheet and Program Narrative) – in Word (119kb)
• Essential Needs Budget Attachment – in Excel (77kb)

Washington State Department of Commerce – Additional Documents

• Link to Commerce documents for reference: http://www.commerce.wa.gov/site/1375/default.aspx

For additional information, please contact:

Jerry Gadek Human Service Specialist II
Office of Community and Homeless Services
425-388-3270

ADA Notice:
Snohomish County facilities are accessible. The County strives to provide access to all members of the public. Please notify the ADA contact person at least one week in advance for public meetings or hearings if accommodations are required. Sign-language interpreters, large print and audiotape are available upon request. Foreign language interpreters are also available upon request where a substantial number of non-English speaking residents can reasonably be expected to participate. Please contact Jerry Gadek at (425) 388-3270 (voice) or (425) 388-3700 (TDD).