|
Technical and Supervisory Assistance Grants
Objective: To assist low-income rural families in obtaining
adequate housing to meet their family's needs and/or to provide
the necessary guidance to promote their continued occupancy of
already adequate housing. These objectives will be accomplished
through the establishment or support of housing delivery and counseling
projects run by eligible applicants.
Uses and Restrictions: Grant purposes: Grant funds are to be used
for a housing delivery system and counseling program to include a
comprehensive program of technical and supervisory assistance as
set forth in the grant agreement and any other special conditions as
required by RHS. Uses of grant funds may include, but are not limited to:
(a) The development and implementation of a program of technical and
supervisory assistance as defined in RD Instruction 1944-K, 1944.506(h)
and (i);
(b) payment of reasonable salaries of professional, technical, and
clerical staff actively assisting in the delivery of the TSA project;
(c) payment of necessary and reasonable office expenses such as office
supplies and office rental, office utilities, telephone services, and office
equipment rental;
(d) payment of necessary and reasonable administrative costs such as
workers' compensation, liability insurance, audit reports, travel to
and attendance at RD approved training sessions, and the employer's share
of Social Security and health benefits. Payments to private
retirement funds are prohibited unless prior written
authorization is obtained from the Administrator;
(e) payment of reasonable fees for necessary training of grantee personnel.
This may include the cost of travel and per diem to attend regional training
sessions when authorized by the State Director; and
(f) other reasonable travel and miscellaneous expenses necessary to
accomplish the objectives of the specific TSA grant which were anticipated
in the individual TSA grant proposal and which were included as eligible expenses
at the time of grant approval.
Ineligible activities: Grant funds may not be used for:
(1) Acquisition construction, repair, or rehabilitation of structures
or acquisition of land, vehicles, or equipment;
(2) replacement of or substitution for any financial support which
would be available from any other source;
(3) duplication of current services in conflict with the requirements
of RD Instruction 1944-k, 1944.514(c);
(4) hiring personnel to perform construction;
(5) buying property of any kind from families receiving technical
or supervisory assistance from the grantee under the terms of the TSA grant;
(6) paying for or reimbursing the grantee for any expenses or debts
incurred before RHS/RD executes the grant agreement;
(7) paying any debts, expenses or costs which should be the responsibilities of
the individual families receiving technical and supervisory assistance;
(8) any type of political activities, and
(9) other costs including contributions and donations, entertainment, fines
and penalties, interest and other financial costs, legislative expenses and
any excess of cost from other grant agreements.
Advice and assistance may be obtained from the national office where
ineligible costs are proposed as part of the TSA project or where a proposed
cost appears ineligible. The grantee may not change fees or accept compensation
or gratuities from TSA recipients for the grantee's assistance under the program.
Eligibility: Technical and Supervisory Assistance Grants may be made to
public or private nonprofit corporations, agencies, institutions, organizations,
Indian Tribes, and other associations. Listed below are a description and definition of
eligible applicants:
1. Sponsored organization - A public purpose group other than a unit of government that is a
beneficiary under a plan or program administered by a State, or political subdivision of
a State or local government, and which is subject to approval by a Federal agency. Usually
organized to work for a specific purpose. Examples: Community development agencies, model
cities, and community action agencies;
2. Public Nonprofit Institution/Organization - A public owned agency or organization
established to perform specialized functions or services for the benefit of all or part of
the general public either without charge or at cost, making no profits and having no shareholders
or receive dividends, includes institutions of higher education and hospitals.
3. Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Government - the governing body or a governmental agency of an
Indian tribe, nation, pueblo, or other organized group or community (including native village as
defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act) certified by the Secretary of the
Interior as eligible for the special programs and services provided through the Bureau of
Indian Affairs; and
4. Private Nonprofit Institution/Organization - privately owned organization or institution which
represent community service networks, public information, technical assistance, and public education.
Operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes such that no
part of its earnings is for the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, includes
private institutions of higher education and hospitals. Examples: Girl Scouts, American Civil Liberties Union
Basic Instruction: 7 CFR 1944 Subpart K
For more information about this program, or to file an application,
contact the local
Rural Development office in your area.
|
