Homes for the Future

Request for Proposal

The Homes for the Future Program is a pilot initiative for homebuilders and developers to incentivize them to build new, age-friendly homes in West Central Indiana. Thrive has been granted 1.8 million dollars from the Wabash River Regional Development Authority to invest in long-term sustainable housing for West Central Indiana. After a request for funding proposal process, chosen homebuilders/developers could receive up to $245,000 of the building cost to cover eligible infrastructure expenditures upon the completion of each home built. This program emphasizes a focus on developers and homebuilders creating homes at market rate to meet the needs of an ever-growing workforce and population in West Central Indiana. The goal of this funding is to kickstart the development of quality, age-friendly homes throughout our region. Applicants are encouraged to access Thrive West Centra’s Resource Library section at Thrive’s Housing Resource Hub to learn more about the housing needs within our region.

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 ten (10) housing units on or before September 30, 2025. 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.

Process

Request for funding proposal (RFP): Thrive has created an RFP process that is publicly solicited and advertised for any parties interested in home development throughout Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo Counties.

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. 

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. 

5. Project Timeline: Submit a detailed project timeline. All construction must be completed by September 30, 2025.  

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 drainage, flora, and fauna 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

Eligible Project Types

Due to the nature of the grant requirements from the federal government, builders must show expenses for infrastructure-related expenses (roads, driveways, sidewalks, water, sanitary sewer, tap fees, broadband, etc.) in the construction or redevelopment of homes. Because of this, all projects must not be started prior to award. Payment will go directly to the homebuilder/developer A maximum of $245,000 in any one infrastructure type (drinking water pipe, concrete, etc.) is preferred due to federal regulations. Once a request for payment is submitted to the State for reimbursement, typical payment terms are 30 – 90 days.

Eligible projects must be located within Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo counties.

Requirements

Awardees will be required to have a minimum of two bids for every expense, along with a written narrative for selection considerations. Upon completion of work (infrastructure), photographic evidence of completion is required. All records will be required for submission prior to reimbursement. Thrive West Central will retain all records for five (5) years.

Timeline

Thrive West Central is operating on a timeline for all grant funding to be allocated to developer/builder projects on or before October 2023. With the completion of any projects on or before September 30, 2025.

Payment Structure

Awardees will be issued payment in one lump sum after the completion of the project in its entirety and after the project has been approved by Thrive, IEDC, and the State grant administrator.

Post-Completion Expectations

Post-completion expectations are that builders/developers offer a one-year warranty on all units to encourage quality developments.

Support and Assistance

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.

Penalties or Consequences 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.

Environmental 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.

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.

FAQ

Do I have to follow federal procurement requirements all parts of the build or just the portions where the funding is going to?

Only the portion the funding is going to needs to follow federal procurement requirements.

There will be informational forms to complete initially. For disbursement, homebuilders/developers will need to submit invoice(s), proof of completion, and proof of procurement.

Yes, as long as procurement requirements are followed. For example, if you do the concrete work and it costs over $10,000, you will need to get a quote from at least one other vendor.

Projects completed after March 3, 2021 are technically eligible for this program. However, may not be competitive as this program is focused on new housing units that are created between July 1, 2023 and September 1, 2025.

All distributions of funds within this program will go directly to the homebuilders.

Homebuilders will be required to submit documentation to Thrive to receive funding. Thrive will keep that documentation for 5 years. Aside from that, there is no further documentation from the homebuilders.

No, this is not required.

Timeline

  • Release RFP – 6/26
  • Regional presentation RFP webpage – 7/11
  • RFP Round 1 Responses Due by 4PM – 7/24
  • Round 1 Awards Announced – 9/1
  • Release RFP Round 2 – 9/1
  • Round 1 Pre-Contract Meetings – 9/4 – 9/22
  • Round 1 Contracts Executed – 10/1
  • RFP Round 2 Reponses Due by 4PM – 10/11
  • Round 2 Awards Announced –
  • Round 2 Pre-Contract Meetings – 
  • Round 2 Contracts Executed – 

Promised Growth.

Dedicated Quality of Life.

Dedicated Care.