Vigo County and the City of Terre Haute have joined together to launch a housing strategy with high quality and production in mind. The following programs are available for both the City and County.
Please review the information below and feel free to contact us with any questions. As you scroll through the information, you will discover detailed information about this request for funding proposal (RFP). Thrive West Central has a rolling Request for Proposal (RFP/housing proposal application) that closes on the 12th of each month. Applications are reviewed at the end of every month, and awards are made following. The Criteria section outlines eligibility and the timeline. The next section illustrates each of the available programs and the nuances of each and the max award per project. The support and information section follows, which goes into detail about requirements, penalties, payment structure, and expectations. The Process section walks you through each of the required submission documents, scoring and evaluation, and any considerations. The final section is where you will find the button to submit your application documents. Feel free to explore and contact us with any questions! We look forward to seeing your applications.
In order to be eligible for consideration of grant funding, you must not start any work on a project site prior to the execution of an award contract.
Criteria
Request for funding proposal (RFP)
Thrive has created an RFP process that is publicly solicited and advertised for any parties interested in home development in Vigo County and its communities.
Timeline
Thrive West Central is operating on a timeline for all grant funding to be allocated to developer/builder projects as quickly as possible. Awards with Readi funding are to be completed on or before September 2025. Awards with ARPA funding are to be completed on or before September 2026.
Eligible Project Types
Due to the nature of the grant requirements from the federal government, builders must show expenses for infrastructure-related expenses in the construction or redevelopment of homes. Eligible infrastructure funding categories for new housing units under the Professional Builders, Small Builders, and Non-Profit Builders Programs include public infrastructure such as sidewalks, water, sewer, stormwater drainage, driveway and road installation, broadband, and water and sewage tap fees.
Appropriate expenses for the Blight and Rehabilitation Program include upgrading utilities to code, such as electrical, upgrading pipes if they are lead pipes, storm drainage and sewage work, tap fees, concrete for sidewalks, driveways, and broadband installations. Note: HVAC is not an approved expense.
Because of this, any work on the project site must not be started prior to the execution of the award contract.
Eligible projects must be located within the City of Terre Haute or greater Vigo County.
Key Aspects of Available Programs
Select a Tab to learn about a specific program’s Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have a demonstrated experience of five years or longer in the development of housing units and have the capacity to build a minimum of fifteen (15) housing units on or before September 30, 2026. For-profit, cooperatives, public entities, and non-profit organizations are eligible to apply. Applicants must be in good standing with local, state, and federal units of government and demonstrate a good financial history as well as current and future financial capacity
Max Award
$245,000 per project and not to exceed 10% of the market value.
Competitive applications have demonstrated between 1% and 7% of the project’s appraised value.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have a demonstrated experience of three years or longer in the development of housing units and have the capacity to build a minimum of seven (7) or a maximum of twelve (12) housing units on or before September 30, 2026. For-profit, cooperatives, public entities, and non-profit organizations are eligible to apply. Applicants must be in good standing with local, state, and federal units of government and demonstrate a good financial history as well as current and future financial capacity.
Max Award
$150,000 per project and not to exceed 10% of the market value.
Competitive applications have demonstrated between 1% and 7% of the project’s appraised value.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have a demonstrated experience of three years or longer in the development of housing units and have the capacity to build a minimum of six (6) or a maximum of fifteen (15) housing units on or before September 30, 2026. For-profit, cooperatives, public entities, and non-profit organizations are eligible to apply. Applicants must be in good standing with local, state, and federal units of government and demonstrate a good financial history as well as current and future financial capacity.
Max Award
$100,000 per project; Up to a max per unit award of $7,500 based on documented need.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have a demonstrated experience of three years or longer in the development of housing units and have the capacity to build a minimum of three (3) or a maximum of ten (10) housing units on or before September 30, 2026. Public entities and non-profit organizations are eligible to apply. Applicants must be in good standing with local, state, and federal units of government and demonstrate a good financial history as well as current and future financial capacity.
Max Award
$50,000 per project. Maximum award of up to $7,500 per unit.
Support & Information
Support and Assistance Info
Our Housing Hub team is here to help. Each applicant is encouraged to participate in a pre-application meeting to assist with application development. Thrive will provide technical assistance during the application process. Thrive, and their project partners will provide technical assistance during the project development, implementation, and closeout.
Post-Completion Expectations
Post-completion expectations are that home builders offer a one-year warranty on all units to encourage quality developments. In addition, regardless if a buyer is already under contract, each unit must have an assigned MLS# to hit our region’s comparison database.
Requirements
Awardees will be required to have a minimum of two bids for every expense, along with a written narrative for selection considerations. (Blight and Rehabilitation projects require before and after pictures of exterior and interior to submit in reports.) Upon completion of work (infrastructure), photographic evidence of infrastructure completion is required. All records will be required for submission prior to reimbursement. Ribbon cutting is required for the first and last housing unit. Thrive West Central will retain all records for five (5) years.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Developers/builders are required to submit a timeline for the completion of any projects and adhere to, within reason, any agreed-upon timeline for development. Periodic updates and communication will be an essential part of any award. Developers who fall behind in their construction timelines may see all or a partially awarded funds reallocated to other applicants or awardees.
If the final project does not meet the approved criteria specified in the proposal, awardees may see a penalty resulting in reduction of their award.
Payment Structure
Awardees will be issued payment in one lump sum or an approved draw schedule after the project’s completion or agreed-upon milestones.
Feedback and Reapplication
If an application is not successful, feedback will be provided. Applicants are allowed to reapply if there are subsequent RFP rounds and improvements are made to their application proposal
Process
Submission documents
1. Summary description of the project: Submit a written description of the proposed development, including an explanation of age-friendly aspects that will be incorporated into the home designs. Include the number of housing units, square footage, the amount you are asking for, and the targeted sale price/ rental. The expectation is to connect this to the Vigo County Market Potential Analysis.
2. Map or geographic location of the project: Present a map showing the location of the development to the community.
3. Design Plans: Provide detailed architectural or engineering design plans for the overall development and the housing units.
4. Financial Projections: Present detailed cost estimations of the project and appraisal estimates. Include the total cost to build, the cost on infrastructure broken down, the amount of loan/investments, the amount you will need to cover, and the amount of your request. This shows the gap that is limiting development. Also, show the Market Value of the entire project along with the percentage of Homes For The Future investment.
5. Project Timeline: Submit a detailed project timeline. All construction must be completed by September 30, 2026.
6. Community Impact Report: Describe any impact this project may have on the community, including job creation during and after construction, population attraction/retention, improving neighborhood aesthetics, or enhancing local infrastructure.
7. Risk Assessment: Outline the potential safety, schedule, financial risks, and corresponding mitigation strategies.
8. Developer’s Experience Portfolio: Provide a portfolio of past projects to demonstrate your track record, experience, and reliability.
9. Environmental: Provide a narrative of the project’s environmental impacts.
10. Certifications and Licenses: Identify and submit proof of relevant certifications and licenses for the designer, construction, and future property management.
11. Financial Capacity: Provide a financial institution letter outlining your financial capacity to complete the proposal.
12. Pending Litigation: Do you, your company, or companies you own or operate have any pending litigation that could impact the development?
13. Local Zoning: Does this project need local zoning or planning commission approval?
14. Maintenance Plans: For rental projects, do you have a comprehensive, long-term maintenance plan in place?
Scoring And Evaluation
RFP rounds will be issued on a periodic basis based on available funding. The selection committee will score, and award proposals based on a scoring rubric. The categories for scoring are:
- Proposal details and thoroughness of the plan
- Housing type is in alignment with ZVA regional or local market potential analysis needs
- Scale/quantity of developed units/impact on the environment
- Quality of build, impact on the community, and consideration of age-friendly housing
- Overall competitiveness of the proposal
*The Blight and Rehabilitation program may also involve historical aspects (when applicable)
Environment and Sustainability Considerations
Thrive encourages the use and development of units that use and adhere to best practices in environmental and sustainability practices; however, it is not a requirement.
