Manufactured Home Community Redevelopment Program Request for Proposals (RFP) Application Instructions
Grant Period: 2025 - 2028
Application Deadline: Thursday, September 19, 12:00pm Central Time
Table of Contents 
Overview
Program Funding
Eligible Applicants
Eligible Parks
Ineligible Parks
Eligible Uses
Program Expectations
Affordability Restrictions
Equity
Application Requirements
Applicants Proposing Infrastructure Redevelopment
Applicants Proposing Acquisition or as Part of the Project
Review Criteria
Threshold Criteria
Competitive Criteria
Pre-Award Risk Assessment
Application Timeline
Application Checklist
Submission Instructions
Due Diligence Requirements
Contractual Requirements
Questions

Overview
The Manufactured Home Community Redevelopment Program is authorized by Minnesota Statutes Section 462A.2035, Subdivision 1b to provide funding for Manufactured Home Park redevelopment.  The Manufactured Home Community Redevelopment Program is a grant program to fund infrastructure improvements to improve the livability of manufactured home communities around the state of Minnesota and to fund the acquisition of manufactured home parks. Funds are available through an annual Request for Proposals (RFP) process.
The purpose of this program is to fund projects which will improve the safety and habitability of Manufactured Home Communities located in the state of Minnesota. 
Program Funding
  Program funding is contingent upon legislative approval/program appropriations through the Minnesota Legislature. The program is an eligible use of state appropriations and Housing Infrastructure funds. Funds will be awarded annually through a competitive RFP process.

Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants can be any one of the following:
•	Cooperative Manufactured Home Park Owners
•	Privately Owned Manufactured Home Park Owners
•	Government Manufactured Home Park Owners
•	Housing Redevelopment Authority Manufactured Home Park Owners
•	Nonprofit Manufactured Home Park Owners
•	Nonprofits acting as an intermediary on behalf of a Manufactured Home Park
Funds for the Manufactured Home Community Redevelopment Program can be used for the acquisition of a park, improvement and/or infrastructure development of manufactured home parks. Minnesota Housing must have adequate assurances that the acquisition, improvement or infrastructure development will benefit low and moderate income Manufactured Home Park residents, which is defined as residents who are, in aggregate, at or below 115 percent Area Median Income (AMI), based on the greater of state or local AMI. 
If the applicant is a city, county, or community action program, preference must be given to households at or below 50 percent of the city or county AMI.
Funding will be contingent on the agreement that Manufactured Home Park owners will maintain lot rents affordable to households at or below 115 percent AMI during the Affordability Period as set forth in the Declaration of Restrictive Covenants (see Affordability Restrictions).

Gross Household Income (percent AMI)	11-County Twin Cities Metro Area*	Rochester MSA**	Balance of State	
50%	$62,500	$61,600	$55,900	
60%	$75,000	$74,000	$67,100	
80%	$100,000	$98,600	$89,400	
100%	$124,900	$123,200	$111,700	
115%	$143,700	$141,700	$128,500	

 *Includes the counties of Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright
**Includes the counties of Dodge and Olmsted 
Eligible Parks
Eligible parks must be permanent, year-round parks without property age restrictions that are either:
•	Cooperatively Owned
•	Privately Owned
•	Publicly Owned
Ineligible Parks
The following parks are ineligible for funds:
•	Seasonal and/or Resort Parks

All applicants should review and comply with the requirements outlined in the Manufactured Home Community Redevelopment Program Guide found on the Minnesota Housing website.
Eligible Uses
The Manufactured Home Community Redevelopment Program is focused on funding eligible infrastructure and improvement projects. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, water and sewer installation and improvements, installment or repair of storm shelters, electrical system installation and repairs, road and sidewalk installation or improvements, necessary installation or repair of park signage, installation or repair of security systems and fences and/or park lighting installation or repair.
The Manufactured Home Community Redevelopment Program may also fund the acquisition of manufactured home parks.  Improvements required prior to an acquisition of a manufactured home park will also be eligible. Other infrastructure improvements may be eligible as approved in writing by Minnesota Housing.
Program Expectations
Applicants must comply with the minimum architectural design standards posted on the Department of Health website. These are the minimum standards required to maintain a license to operate as a manufactured home park.
Applications for infrastructure improvements must include an assessment of the existing infrastructure item(s) to be improved. Assessments should include a reasonable cost estimate for the improvement and must be completed by a licensed assessor who has specific knowledge in the area of the infrastructure needing improvement.
The Manufactured Home Community Redevelopment Program is a three-year grant term.  All project funds must be expended within three years of the execution date of the Grant Contract Agreement. An extension exception may be requested in writing to Minnesota Housing. The project or project phase associated with the grant must be completed within 6 months of the disbursement of all funds.
Grantees must follow annual reporting requirements, including providing documentation related to the project progress, as well as submission of lot rent rolls and any other documents requested by Minnesota Housing for reporting or monitoring purposes.

Affordability Restrictions
Manufactured Home Parks awarded funds will be subject to extended use affordability requirements. Review the sample Declaration of Restrictive Covenants (“Declaration”). Upon execution of the Grant Contract Agreement, a Declaration will be filed of record with the county on the real property title upon which the manufactured home park is located. The owner of the Manufactured Home Park must remain in compliance with the Declaration through the affordability period. If not in compliance, Minnesota Housing reserves the right to take action to enforce the Declaration. The affordability period will be determined by Minnesota Housing and runs 25 years. The Declaration requirements may include:
•	The property will remain a manufactured home park
•	Manufactured home park owners will maintain lot rents affordable to low- or moderate-income households
•	Manufactured Home Park owners will establish and fund an account for replacement reserves for infrastructure and improvement repairs
•	Lot rent increases will be capped at 5% annually, or as agreed upon in writing by Minnesota Housing
•	Any sale or transfer of ownership of the Manufactured Home Park must be approved by Minnesota Housing
Equity
Minnesota thrives because of its diversity of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, (dis)abilities, ages, families and geographies. Discrimination and lack of access to resources and other barriers have led to disparities that hinder Minnesotans from achieving their fullest potential. Minnesota Housing focuses on communities most impacted by housing instability and disparities in its work to advance equity. This is a core value in all of Minnesota Housing’s actions, including resources administered through the annual Manufactured Home Community Redevelopment RFP process, which includes the awarding and allocation of grant funds. This Manufactured Home Community Redevelopment Program RFP is designed to prioritize projects that center on communities most impacted.
It is the policy of Minnesota Housing to affirmatively further fair housing in all its programs so that individuals of similar income levels have equal access to Minnesota Housing programs, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, familial status, gender identity or sexual orientation.
Application Requirements
All Applicants:
•	Intent to Apply: All applicants must submit an Intent to Apply by 12:00 p.m. on Friday, August 30, 2024.  The Intent to Apply can be submitted by completing the link on the website, or by filling out the Intent to Apply form and emailing it to MNHousing.ManufacturedHomes@state.mn.us.
•	Credit Review Documents: Applicants must submit the appropriate documents based on the ownership structure of the park so that a credit review can take place. Government entities are exempt from a credit review.
•	Inspection Report:  Applicants must submit the most recent park inspection report from the Department of Health or local delegated authority.
•	License: Applicants must submit a valid park license.
•	Rent Rolls: Applicants must submit three months of consecutive rent rolls to demonstrate park vacancy levels as well as verifying lot rents.
•	Tenant Questionnaire: Provided by Minnesota Housing (optional). 
Applicants must provide documentation that the lots are available to year-round residents within the Manufactured Home Park. If a portion of the park is available to seasonal residents, funds will be awarded proportionate to resident occupancy if selected for funding.
Applicants Proposing Infrastructure Redevelopment
•	Cost Estimate Documents: Applicants can supply assessments and reasonable cost estimate documents with the application when applying for infrastructure redevelopment. If multiple bids are conducted and the lowest bid was not selected, applicants must provide an explanation in the application and narrative. The selected bid should be clearly identified. If only one bid or assessment was completed, provide an explanation why multiple bids were not obtained. Cost estimates and assessments should be completed by an assessor with the legal, educational and/or industry authority to complete a reasonable assessment.
•	Construction Timeline: Applicants must submit a construction timeline when applying for infrastructure redevelopment to verify the work will be completed within the terms in the Grant Contract Agreement.
•	Photographs and/or Map of the Park (optional) addressing infrastructure project.
Applicants Proposing Acquisition or as Part of the Project
•	Commitment Letter: Applicants must submit a commitment letter from the first mortgage lender outlining the loan amount, terms and an estimated closing date.
•	Purchase Contract: Applicants must submit a copy of the executed purchase contract for the park.
•	Credit Review Documents: In addition to the credit review documents outlined above, applicants must submit the appropriate documents for the proposed ownership entity after acquisition.
Review Criteria 
This is a competitive application process. Applications will be reviewed and scored by a committee comprised of Minnesota Housing staff and community reviewers with industry knowledge. Recommendations will be presented to the Minnesota Housing board for approval. Minnesota Housing’s award decisions are final and are not subject to appeal. 
Threshold Criteria 
Threshold criteria are the basic requirements an application must meet in order to be considered for funding. The following threshold criteria must be satisfied for an application to be considered: 

•	The application must be for an eligible applicant as defined in the Eligible Applicants section.
•	The application must include all required application checklist items, be properly completed and submitted by the published deadline via the specified submission method (refer to the Submission Instructions section of this document). NOTE: All required application items must be provided either before or no later than the application deadline. Any application that does not include all required items (threshold criteria) will not be eligible for funding consideration.
Competitive Criteria
The Manufactured Home Community Redevelopment Program prioritizes applications addressing health and safety concerns of their communities. 
The following competitive criteria will be used to score only those applications that satisfy the minimum threshold criteria as stated in the Application Checklist section of this document: 

1.	Community Needs (0-20 points)
o	Infrastructure Needs based on critical need, health & safety issues or other infrastructure needs for the sustainability of the community. OR
o	Acquisition Needs based on converting communities to cooperative ownership models, the risk of park closure or the risk of the park being converted to other uses.
2.	Households Served (0-30 points) – based on affordable lot rents in the community and demographics of the community, with higher scores going toward funding parks with lower income households and households who represent typically underserved communities.
3.	Community Support (0-30 points) – based on how much the surrounding community is in support of the project, including leverage for the project from local municipalities, converting park utilities into public utilities or project oversight from a local municipality or housing organization. 
4.	Project Leverage and Costs (0-30 points) – based on amount of leverage in the project, leverage sources from local municipality, project costs compared to the number of lots in a community.
5.	Project Assessment (0-10 points) – based on how well-planned the project is, how detailed cost assessments have been determined and how the project timeline is constructed.
6.	Project Experience (0-10 points) – based on the experience of the contractors, project managers, engineers etc. who have been selected to work on the project through completion. 
Scores are totaled and combined (0-130 total), and funding recommendations are based on the total final scores.
After the grant review committee has met and scores have been finalized, Minnesota Housing staff may incorporate the scores into final funding recommendations that may also be based on affordability of the housing for the community. Funding recommendations will also incorporate the results of the pre-award risk assessment (noted below). Final funding amounts will be dependent on the amount requested, the number of applicants, and the funding amount available to distribute.
All funding decisions are at Minnesota Housing’s sole discretion and are not subject to appeal unless allowed for under Minn. Stat. §16B.981. Additionally, Minnesota Housing reserves the right to request proposal revisions during the due diligence phase, which is after Minnesota Housing board approval but before the Grant Contract Agreement is executed.
Pre-Award Risk Assessment 
Per Minn. Stat. §16B.981, Minnesota Housing is required to conduct a pre-award risk assessment of potential grantees requesting grant awards of $50,000 or more. The information submitted by potential grantees will be used to assess the risk that a potential grantee cannot or would not perform the required duties of the grant. Minnesota Housing will review the potential grantee’s past performance, tax returns, audits, principals, and standing with the Secretary of State. 
Minnesota Housing will determine whether:
1.	The potential grantee would likely be able to perform the duties of the grant without additional conditions,
2.	The potential grantee would likely be able to perform the duties of the grant with additional technical assistance or conditions placed on the potential grantee, or
3.	There is a substantial risk that the potential grantee cannot or would not perform the required duties of the grant. 
The pre-award risk assessment will include the following components: 
•	A Risk Assessment Form with questions to be completed as part of the application
•	Financial Information as applicable to the applicant organization and detailed on the Risk Assessment Form
•	Evidence of good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State
•	Certification of no convictions of felony financial crimes by a principal, along with a list of principals being certified
To complete this assessment, Minnesota Housing may request additional information which must be provided by the potential grantee. Minnesota Housing will notify a potential grantee if it is unable to satisfy its concerns by working with the potential grantee. This notification will include information on the decision and options to request reconsideration of the decision. 
The submission of inaccurate or misleading information may be grounds for disqualification from a grant award and may subject an organization to suspension or debarment proceedings, as well as other remedies available to Minnesota Housing, by law.
The results of this pre-award risk assessment will not impact scoring of an organization’s competitive application for grant funds.
Note: Tribal governments are not subject to the Pre-award Risk Assessment. Tribal- affiliated organizations with a non-profit or for-profit business designation with the Minnesota Secretary of State are subject to the requirements. 
Application Timeline
Table 2: Application Timeline
Date	Activity	
Monday, August 12, 2024	RFP Application and Intent to Apply open and are posted via the Minnesota Housing website, eNews and State Register.	
Friday, August 30, 2024	Intent to Apply due by 12:00 pm Central Time 
Note: The Intent to Apply is required to apply for the program.	
September 5 & 9, 2024	Minnesota Housing holds two (2) RFP information Session/Technical Assistance Sessions. A session will be recorded and posted on the website.	
Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024	Final call for questions by 5:00 pm Central Time 	
Friday, September 13, 2024	Final FAQs posted to the Minnesota Housing website in response to RFP questions submitted	
Thursday, September 19, 2024	Applications due by 12:00 pm Central Time (refer to the Submission Instructions section below)	
Thursday, December 19, 2024	Minnesota Housing staff recommends selections to the Minnesota Housing board of directors	
January 2025	Minnesota Housing notifies all applicants of selection decisions	
February – April 2025	Mandatory due diligence training for all selected applicants	
Spring 2025	Upon Grant Contract Agreements being fully executed, Grant Contract Agreement term begins	
Annually, June 30	Annual Reporting	
NOTE: All dates and times are subject to change at the sole discretion of Minnesota Housing. 
Minnesota Housing will hold RFP Information/Technical Assistance Sessions via Microsoft Teams Webinar, dates for the sessions will be posted on the Manufactured Housing webpage in August 2024. 
The information session will provide an overview of RFP content and allow time for questions. 
To receive email updates related to the RFP, sign up to receive eNews updates on the Minnesota Housing website: https://mnhousing.gov/homeownership/community-initiatives-programs/manufactured-home-community-redevelopment-.html. 
Application Checklist
Applicants must use the required application form and include all of the required information/documentation. Applicants are encouraged to be clear and concise in the presentation of information. Do not submit materials that are not requested. Unrequested materials will not be reviewed.
All of the following checklist items must be completed properly and submitted to meet the threshold criteria. Only applications meeting the threshold criteria will be considered for funding: 
1.	 Application, Narrative, and Checklist
2.	 Application Signature Page (wet, digital or electronic signatures will be accepted) 
3.	 Pre-Award Risk Assessment Form and accompanying documents detailed in the form 
A.	Risk Assessment Form—Nonprofit Organizations
B.	Risk Assessment Form—For Profit Business Entities
C.	Risk Assessment Form—Political Subdivisions
D.	Accompanying Documentation:
a.	Financial Documents related to the applicant organization and detailed on the Risk Assessment Form (Non-profits and For-profits only)
1.	Internal Controls Certification—Nonprofits Organizations, if applicable
2.	Internal Controls Certification—For Profit Business Entities, if applicable
b.	Evidence of good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State (Non-profits and For-profits only)
c.	Certification of no convictions of felony financial crimes by a principal, along with a list of principals being certified (All applicants)
4.	 Project Cost Estimates Documents
5.	 Construction or Acquisition Timeline 
6.	 Credit Review Documents
7.	 Department of Health Inspection Report
8.	 Park Owner License
9.	 Lot Rent Documentation/Rent Rolls
10.	 Compiled Results of Tenant Questionnaires (optional)
11.	 Photographs and/or Map of the Park (optional)
12.	 If Project includes a Park Acquisition	
A.	Commitment Letter
B.	Purchase Contract
C.	Appraisal

The file naming convention of the items submitted above should be: 
Program Name RFP_Applicant name_Name of Document Example: “Program Name_RFP_EXY Services _Application”]
NOTE: Applicants must understand the application components and what types of submission materials are required to satisfy each required component. Applications that do not contain all required components (completed and submitted properly) will be noted as incomplete and will not be eligible for further review, including scoring, unless Minnesota Housing deems the error or omission to be immaterial. Minnesota Housing is unable to provide notice if an application is incomplete. 
If you have questions regarding checklist items listed above, contact the designated point of contact found at the end of this document. Allow enough time for staff to respond and help resolve issues so that a complete application can be submitted prior to the application submission deadline. Also note that technical assistance does not guarantee that a complete application will be submitted.
Submission Instructions
The Intent to Apply can be completed through the form found on Minnesota Housing’s website and must be submitted no later than 12:00pm Central Time on Friday, August 30, 2024. 
Intent to Apply and applications can be completed through the Online Application on the website, or paper applications can be scanned and uploaded using the Single Family Secure File Exchange (LeapFILE), accessible on the Partner Login page. Documents can also be submitted via MNHousing.ManufacturedHomes@state.mn.us.
Financial Information must be submitted via a secure method no later than 12:00 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, September 19, 2024, in order to be considered for funding. Financial information can be submitted using the Single Family Secure File Exchange (LeapFILE), accessible on the Partner Login page, or emailing it to the Manufactured Housing team. 
If you need technical support when completing or submitting your application, email MNHousing.ManufacturedHomes@state.mn.us with “Manufactured Housing Community Redevelopment Program” in the subject line.  
Applicants must complete the narrative questions in the application and include all the required information. The narrative questions can be completed through either the Online Application on the website or by completing the Application Narrative form in the application – Applicants do not need to complete both.  
Applicants are encouraged to be clear and concise in the presentation of information. Applicants must also submit the application checklist and all supporting documentation listed. 
If you have questions regarding the checklist items, please contact the designated point of contact listed in the Questions section below. 
NOTE: Submitted applications are considered final; late and incomplete applications will not be considered. Minnesota Housing may request additional information or clarification. The applicant will be responsible for all costs incurred with applying for this RFP. Award decisions are final and not subject to appeal. 
Per the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, responses submitted by an applicant are private or nonpublic until the responses are opened. Once the responses are opened, the name and address of the applicant and the amount requested is public. All other data in a response is private or nonpublic data until completion of the evaluation process, which for the purposes of this grant, is when all grant agreements have been fully executed.  After a granting agency has completed the evaluation process, all remaining data in the responses is public with the exception of trade secret data as defined and classified in Section 13.37 of the Minnesota Governmental Data Practices Act. A statement by an applicant that the response is copyrighted or otherwise protected does not prevent public access to the response.
Due Diligence Requirements
Due Diligence refers to the documents that organizations must submit or actions that must be completed prior to contracting with Minnesota Housing. If an applicant is selected for funding, Minnesota Housing will require the following due diligence items be submitted before funds can be disbursed:
•	Signed Grant Contract Agreement (provided by Minnesota Housing)
•	Recorded, signed and notarized Declaration of Restrictive Covenants sent to Minnesota Housing.
•	Full Legal Description 
•	W-9 and SWIFT vendor number  for a new potential grantee that has been selected, or if the current information on file needs to be updated.
•	Approved Scope of Work, a detailed list of project activities, timelines, and what entity is responsible for payment of activities. 
Potential grantees that are awarded funding must have all due diligence submitted and approved and the Grant Contract Agreement fully executed, which includes both the potential grantee’s and Minnesota Housing’s signatures, before costs can be incurred and reimbursed or grant funds can be expended.  Minnesota Housing will not reimburse costs incurred prior to the execution of the Grant Contract Agreement. Minnesota Housing will initiate the execution of the Grant Contract Agreement, including required signatures.
Contractual Requirements
A potential grantee awarded funding under this proposal will be required to:
•	Comply with Manufactured Housing Community Redevelopment Program Procedural Manual. 
•	Maintain financial records for a minimum of six years after the Grant Contract Agreement has ended that document the use of all grant funds.  Minnesota Housing, at its sole discretion, may request to review the accounting and documentation of such records at site visits or at other times.  
•	Complete and submit by required due dates, all requests for extensions or exceptions, annual reporting and final program reports in a template provided by Minnesota Housing. 
•	Comply with all local, state, and federal requirements.
•	Comply with monitoring and financial reconciliation audits including site visits, providing, and participating in evaluation and reporting by Minnesota Housing.
•	Have a Conflict of Interest policy and take necessary steps to prevent individual and organizational conflicts of interests.  All suspected, disclosed or discovered conflicts of interests must be reported to Minnesota Housing in a timely manner.
•	Comply with applicable contracting and bidding requirements noted in the Grant Contract Agreement.
•	Comply with all affirmative action and non-discrimination requirements noted in the Grant Contract Agreement.
•	Comply with Minn. Stat. §201.162 by providing voter registration services for its employees and for the public served by the grantee.
Questions 
Questions can be directed to the designated points of contact for this RFP:
•	Monica Tucker 		651.296.5602		monica.tucker@state.mn.us 
•	Jeramiah Townsend	651.296.8835	jeramiah.townsend@state.mn.us	
•	General inquiries and technical assistance needs can be emailed to MNHousing.ManufacturedHomes@state.mn.us.
No other staff are authorized to respond to questions from potential applicants related to this RFP. All questions and answers will be posted to Minnesota Housing’s website at https://mnhousing.gov/homeownership/community-initiatives-programs/manufactured-home-community-redevelopment-.html.