Individuals or organizations interested in submitting a proposal must provide a written statement of interest, must demonstrate the financial capacity to assume projects of this diversity and magnitude, the ability to accomplish specific development goals, and experience with the successful development of similar projects involving public/private participation. Also considered will be the developer’s demonstrated sensitivity to quality in land use planning, housing development design and architecture, and ability to meet or exceed “Visit-ability” standards. The proposer must provide responses to all information requested in the “Proposal Contents” in a clear and concise manner. The required “Proposal Contents” are found in the complete “Request for Proposals” available from the City Community Development Division. Additional information may be requested by the City after review of each proposal.

Proposals must be received by the application deadline of 5:00 PM on Friday, March 30, 2012. Proposals received after the deadline will be considered only if no other proposals are received by the original application date.

All responses to this request for proposals are the property of the City of Billings. The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals received, negotiate with qualified proposers, re-advertise or cancel, in part or in its entirety, the request. This RFP does not bind the City of Billings to enter into an agreement or award costs incurred by the organization or individual preparing a proposal.

Objective
Provide lots at a nominal fee to encourage the development of affordable single family housing for occupancy by low income households of the City of Billings. Affordable housing and low income households are defined according to the City’s HOME Program regulations. These are available from the City’s Community Development Division Office for review.

Assistance for site improvements is available from funding the City receives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through its HOME Investment Partnership. The City of Billings committed $389,000 for the development of site improvements for this project and construction in currently underway. Proposals seeking to participate in this project must demonstrate in the proposal, how and to what extent, housing affordability will be enhanced.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Proposers must comply with the provisions of all applicable federal laws, including Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Any subcontracting by the proposer subjects the subcontracting firm(s) to the same provisions of federal law. In accordance with the Montana Government Code of Fair Practices (49-3-2-7 MCA) the proposer must agree that the hiring of persons to work on this contract will be made on the basis of merit and qualification without discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, age, religion, marital or family status, physical or mental disability, or national origin. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Fair Housing Opportunity
The City of Billings and HUD enforces the Fair Housing Act. Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of dwellings based on race, color, creed, sex, age, religion, marital or family status, physical or mental disability, or national origin. HUD also prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.