RFI - NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACQUISITION AND REHABILITATION

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Notice of Funding Availability for
Affordable Housing Acquisition and
Rehabilitation
6/1/2026
Elizabeth A. Hernandez, Ph.D
Interim Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Health and Human Services Agency
David Estrella, JD
Director, Housing and Community Development Services
3989 Ruffin Road * San Diego, CA * 92123-1815 * (858) 694-4885 * TDD: (866) 945-2207
SDHCD.ORG

SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Terra Lawson-Remer
District 3 / Chair
Monica Montgomery Steppe
District 4 / Vice Chair
Paloma Aguirre
District 1 / Chair Pro Tem
Joel Anderson
District 2
Jim Desmond
District 5
Ebony Shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
NOFA 2026-01 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOFA OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
NOFA SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS ....................................................................................................................... 5
NOFA TIMELINE .......................................................................................................................................................... 6
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ........................................................................................................................................ 6
ANTICIPATED AVAILABLE FUNDING .................................................................................................................. 6
AFFORDABILITY PERIOD ......................................................................................................................................... 7
ELIGIBLE COMMUNITIES: ....................................................................................................................................... 7
APPLICANT QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................ 7
RESERVATION OF FUNDS ......................................................................................................................................... 7
APPLICANT FINANCIAL CAPACITY ...................................................................................................................... 8
CONDITIONS ................................................................................................................................................................. 8
COST RECOVERY AND FEES ................................................................................................................................... 9
NOFA APPLICATION ................................................................................................................................................ 11
TAB 1: GENERAL INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY ............................................................. 11
TAB 2: DEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................... 12
TAB 3: APPLICANT EXPERIENCE ......................................................................................................................... 14
TAB 4: TENANT POPULATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES ............................................................................. 14
TAB 5: MANAGEMENT PLAN ................................................................................................................................. 15
TAB 6: REPORTS ........................................................................................................................................................ 16
TAB 7: REHABILITATION PROJECTS (as applicable) ........................................................................................ 18
TAB 8: RELOCATION (as applicable) ...................................................................................................................... 19
NOFA APPLICATION ACKNOWLEDGMENT ..................................................................................................... 21
NOFA ATTACHMENTS ............................................................................................................................................. 25
ATTACHMENT A - Required Federal Provisions ........................................................................................................ 25
ATTACHMENT B - Program Basics ............................................................................................................................ 29
ATTACHMENT C - Sample Insurance Requirements .................................................................................................. 30
ATTACHMENT D - Sample Board Resolution ............................................................................................................ 42
ATTACHMENT E - San Diego County Income Limits ................................................................................................ 44
ATTACHMENT F - Management Plan Requirements .................................................................................................. 45
ATTACHMENT G - Estimated Development Timeline ................................................................................................ 47
NOFA 2026-01 3

NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY
OVERVIEW
NOFA 2026-01 4

NOFA OVERVIEW
The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), through its Housing and
Community Development Services (HCDS) division, is issuing this Notice of Funding Availability
(NOFA) with the objective of supporting the acquisition and/or rehabilitation of affordable multi-family
housing units. Units will serve households at or below low-income (80% AMI) levels. Financing will be
provided through HCDS-administered funding sources, subject to availability. Funding will primarily
consist of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. However, funding sources may
include a combination of the following, depending on availability:
HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)
HOME Investment Partnerships Program Community Housing Development Organization
(HOME-CHDO)
Please note that new construction is not eligible for this NOFA. HCDS may allocate different funds
than those originally requested by the applicant to meet the funding objectives of HCDS. HCDS reserves
the right to allocate funding sources at its sole discretion.
NOFA SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS
All materials and information related to the NOFA can be found within the NOFA Overview, NOFA
Application, NOFA Application Workbook, and NOFA Attachments. The NOFA Overview provides a
summary of the NOFA Application and Application Workbook, incorporates the NOFA Attachments by
reference and is further supplemented by them.
Submit completed and signed NOFA responses in electronic format as indicated in the NOFA Application
Workbook. The NOFA application must be delivered on one USB drive and one electronic copy per the
instructions noted below:
Mail or Deliver USB to
County of San Diego Housing and Community Development Services
3989 Ruffin Road
San Diego, CA 92123
Attn: Community Development
Electronic application shall be submitted via secured electronic document management and storage
system (SharePoint, OneDrive, Dropbox) with email notification to
community.development@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Applicants who do not submit both versions of their completed application on or before the application
deadline will be deemed non-responsive. Applications shall be saved/stored in accordance with the
NOFA Checklist included in the NOFA Application Workbook. Documents should be in labeled
folders and named in accordance with said checklist.
Applications submitted for consideration must be complete and fully executed. If any information
requested in the NOFA is not applicable to the proposed project, note "N/A" on the Application Checklist.
Faxed copies, electronic copies submitted via CD, or data provided via links or websites will not be
accepted. The electronic application and the information contained on the USB drive shall be consistent
and the same. The County will not consider any items previously submitted through other NOFA
applications.
HCDS reserves the right to change the requirements and policies described in this NOFA at HCDS' sole
NOFA 2026-01 5

discretion. HCDS is responsible only for that which is expressly stated in the NOFA documents. Any
supplemental NOFA information shall be made available to each person or organization via the NOFA
distribution list and on the HCDS webpage. It is the responsibility of applicants to ensure, prior to
submission, that the application reflects the most recent information, program requirements, and policies.
By submitting an application, the applicant acknowledges receipt of all supplemental NOFA information,
if applicable, that was emailed or posted on the HCDS webpage. HCDS is not responsible for and shall
not be bound by any representations otherwise made by any individual acting or purporting to act on its
behalf if those representations conflict with NOFA requirements.
Furthermore, HCDS reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any application that is
incomplete, out of order, lacks required attachments, or contains errors, inconsistencies, misrepresented
information or other deficiencies. Forms provided in the NOFA application must be used and information
provided otherwise may be disregarded at the discretion of HCDS. HCDS reserves the right to waive
disparities in a NOFA response if the sum and substance of the NOFA response is present. Moreover,
HCDS reserves the right to terminate this NOFA at any time without prior notice.
NOFA TIMELINE
Below is the timeline for the NOFA. The County reserves the right to modify any of the dates in the
schedule as deemed necessary.
DATE EVENT
6/1/2026 NOFA Release
6/18/2026 In-Person Industry Day at 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
7/10/2026 NOFA Application Due by 2:00 p.m.
November 2026 Award
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
All communications regarding this NOFA and any requests for clarification must be submitted to HCDS
via email at community.development@sdcounty.ca.gov.
ANTICIPATED AVAILABLE FUNDING
Funding made available through this NOFA will include Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
funding, supporting the acquisition and/or rehabilitation of affordable multi-family housing units or the
acquisition of land for the development of affordable housing. Please note that new construction is not
eligible for this NOFA.
AMOUNT PROGRAM
$1.7M CDBG
Program
Target Maximum Required Special
(Funding Eligible Communities
Population AMI Affordability Requirements
Type)
CDBG Low- 80% Minimum For acquisition and Unincorporated Areas of the
income 5-years rehabilitation only County and the cities of
Households Coronado, Del Mar, Imperial
Beach, Lemon Grove,
Poway, and Solana Beach.
NOFA 2026-01 6

AFFORDABILITY PERIOD
HCDS will enforce an affordability period of at least 55 years for all developments awarded funds under
this NOFA. Successful applicants will acknowledge the affordability period applicable to the project.
ELIGIBLE COMMUNITIES:
Unincorporated Areas of the County and the cities of Coronado, Del Mar, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove,
Poway, and Solana Beach.
APPLICANT QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
The County of San Diego will accept and consider eligible development proposals from all qualified
applicants. Applicants should represent a development team that includes a developer, architect,
professional consultants (such as an attorney), a general contractor, property manager, lenders and
investors, and any other team members necessary to finance, construct, and operate the development.
The proportion of rent-restricted units to the total number of units in the development shall, at a minimum,
equal the proportion of HCDS investment in the development's total development cost. Successful
applicants will be able to clearly demonstrate how their proposal will improve access to affordable housing
within San Diego County and maintain restricted units, as applicable, throughout the affordability period.
Qualified housing developers must demonstrate ability and capacity to:
1. Acquire and/or rehabilitate affordable housing developments.
2. Operate and maintain affordable housing developments throughout the project's life cycle.
3. Adhere to all programs' regulatory, statutory, and funding requirements and guidelines.
4. Leverage other funding sources, such as private equity loans from lending institutions, and funds
from federal, state and/or local programs.
RESERVATION OF FUNDS
Time is of the essence to commit and expend funds. Upon approval of a conditional loan commitment, funds
may be reserved for the project for a maximum of 12 months but may be revoked earlier if satisfactory
progress is not demonstrated. Extensions will not be granted for funding awarded through this NOFA. HCDS
reserves the right to reallocate CDBG, HOME, and HOME-ARP, funds from one approved project to another,
to new activities, or to cancel fund reservations at its discretion if projects are not proceeding satisfactorily
(in the sole opinion of HCDS) towards commencement of the proposed activity. Program funds available
through this NOFA shall meet regulatory commitment and expenditure requirements. Commitment and
expenditure requirements vary by funding source.
HCDS reserves the right to cancel its funding reservation if the HCDS loan has not closed escrow by the
end of the 12th month. Once awarded, HCDS will not break up or combine project awards to accommodate
a conversion to or from a hybrid CTCAC project.
From the date the application is submitted and at all times up to and including the date of any funding
award and the closing of such funding award, HCDS must receive written notice of any material changes
made to the project after application submittal. Material changes include but are not limited to changes or
alterations regarding architectural design, energy efficiency and sustainability features, development team,
lead developer or joint developer structure, ownership, proposed financing structure, supportive services,
cash flow, operating subsidies, changes in development budget line items that show an increase that
exceeds 10 percent, environmental and title conditions of the project site, land use approvals and permits,
and community support for the project. Applicants must request and receive the HCDS' written approval
NOFA 2026-01 7

for any material changes. If the applicant undertakes material changes without approval, HCDS reserves
the right, in its sole discretion, to withdraw, rescind, or modify any funding commitment.
Recipients of CDBG, HOME, HOME-ARP, and HOME-CHDO, funds will be required to execute a
promissory note, deed of trust, regulatory agreement, and other related loan documents. Loan funds will not
be disbursed until the loan is closed through escrow. Verifiable documentation of expenses must be submitted
with all draw requests.
APPLICANT FINANCIAL CAPACITY
Applicants shall demonstrate financial capacity to perform administrative, managerial, and operational
functions, and to oversee the work necessary for successful completion of the proposed development. To
be eligible for financing, an applicant shall:
1. Exhibit prior work resulting in successful development of affordable rental housing. Successful
development may include acquisition, construction, operation, acquisition with rehabilitation or
any combination of accomplishments that created or preserved affordable housing.
2. Possess control of the proposed development site through fee title, option to purchase, disposition
and development agreement with a public agency, land sales contract, leasehold with development
provisions or any other enforceable instrument approved by HCDS.
3. Provide full disclosure of all associations between partners, contractors, and subcontractors.
Conflict-of-interest laws and regulations will be strictly applied.
NOTE: It is the responsibility of each applicant to ensure that all of its employees, contractors,
affiliates, agents, volunteers, and other personnel comply with all applicable laws and
rules regarding conflicts of interest, including California Government Code section
1090 et seq., the Political Reform Act, and the County Administrative Code, including
but not limited to Section 67.
CONDITIONS
Applications for funding will be considered based on the threshold requirements and preferences/priorities
criteria set forth in this NOFA. HCDS reserves the right to negotiate and award an allocation of funds to
multiple applicants and may request additional information from applicants. In the event applications for
funding exceed the amount of funding available, applications that meet all NOFA requirements and would
otherwise be eligible for an award, may be placed on a waitlist for funding. HCDS may use the waitlist to
award funds that become available up to three years after the NOFA close date. HCDS reserves the right
to request and evaluate additional information from waitlisted applications prior to awarding funds. HCDS
is not required to issue funds to waitlisted applications and reserves the right to issue a new NOFA in lieu
of awarding funds to waitlisted applications. Placement on the waitlist is NOT a commitment of funding
from HCDS and is NOT an indication of future award. Placement on the waitlist will NOT impact an
application's score if the project applies under future NOFAs.
By the act of submitting a response to this NOFA, applicants acknowledge and agree to the terms and
conditions of this NOFA and to the accuracy of the information submitted. All applications become the
property of the County of San Diego and will not be returned. All submitted information will become
public information and is subject to public inspection under the State of California Public Records Act.
No confidential or proprietary information, including Personnel Information (PI) or Personal Identifiable
Information (PII), is to be included in the non-confidential responses. If confidential or proprietary
information is contained within the NOFA response, the documents must be submitted in a separate clearly
labeled exbibit with all pages marked as "CONFIDENTIAL / PROPRIETARY."
NOFA 2026-01 8

It is understood and agreed upon by the applicant in submitting a NOFA response that the County has the
right to withhold all information regarding this NOFA until after conditional awards are distributed,
including but not limited to competitive development description information, competitive proposed
financial capability, and HCDS' evaluation of NOFA responses. Information releasable after award is
subject to the disclosure requirements of the Public Records Act, State of California Government Code
Section 6250.
NOTE: Applicants acknowledge that by applying under this NOFA, they are seeking benefit
from a government entity. Applicants must acknowledge that all statements in their
application are and will remain true; failure to comply with this commitment may
violate the federal or state False Claims Act.
COST RECOVERY AND FEES
The Owner of any development funded through this NOFA will be required to pay any and all relevant
fees that may be imposed by HUD or by the Board of Supervisors, and such fees may be enacted or
amended from time to time. The Applicant is responsible for the payment of County staff time related to
Environmental Review. Payment to the County shall be included with the development finance closing
pro forma.
Developers are responsible for covering all costs associated with radon testing and mitigation to ensure
the safety and health of residents. This includes initial radon testing, any necessary follow-up tests, and
implementing mitigation measures if radon levels exceed acceptable thresholds. By assuming these fees,
developers help maintain compliance with environmental safety standards and contribute to creating
healthier living conditions. These costs should be factored into the proposal's operating pro forma.
NOFA 2026-01 9

NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY
APPLICATION
NOFA 2026-01 10