Scope of Work
Introduction – Background of the Standard & Poor’s Settlement
In February 2015 a joint state settlement agreement was reached between Arizona, 18 other states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Department of Justice with Standard and Poor’s (S&P) to resolve allegations that S&P misrepresented its objectivity with regard to its structured finance ratings services. The agreement resolved claims alleged by the Attorney General in a consumer fraud lawsuit filed two years earlier.
Arizona received approximately $21.5 million as a result of the settlement, which the court ordered to be used by the Arizona Attorney General for attorneys’ fees and other costs of investigation or litigation, for restitution, remediation, or for other consumer protection purposes, or for other uses as permitted by governing state law, within the discretion of the Attorney General.
The AGO intends to make up to $3 million available to fund one or more Grants over a two year funding cycle to support community-based solutions that assist homeless adults and families move towards self-sufficiency and independence, and vulnerable populations including children.
The funds will be distributed to a community-based organization(s) through a competitive solicitation process for the purposes set forth in the settlement and as directed by the Attorney General. Additional information on the settlement is available at www.azag.gov.
Purpose
The purpose of the Homeless Housing Support Program is to address the need for housing and supportive services for homeless children, adults and families and to prevent persons who are at risk of homelessness from becoming homeless.
Programs Available
Offerors may submit a grant application to address one or more of the following program areas.
Program 1 – Housing Services
Program 2 – Essential Support Services
Program 3 – Capital Improvement Projects
Program Descriptions
There are several public and private services provided in Arizona to address homelessness. Yet there are still many gaps to meet the needs of Arizonans who are homeless or facing homelessness. The Attorney General’s Office recognizes that in order to meet the needs of Arizonans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, funding for capital improvement projects could be needed.
The AGO expects to award grants to organization(s) that have experience working with homeless programs. Due to the limited amount of funding and limited timeframe, organizations that can leverage this funding to create projects that will provide sustainable change for the target population, move a community towards greater capacity to address homelessness or expand an existing, successful program to reach a larger audience are encouraged to apply.