Chicago Department of Housing Requests Proposals for New Home Repair Program (HRP).

The Chicago Department of Housing (DOH) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFPs) for administrative service provider(s) to provide oversight and management of the 2021 Home Repair Program (HRP) formerly the Roof and Porch Repair (RPR) program. As the Roof and Porch Repair program expands to include remediation of environmental health hazards and accessibility repairs, these new providers will be key in managing a qualified pool of local small and minority construction firms that will make needed repairs for low-income qualified homeowners.

“Through the expanded Home Repair Program, the Department of Housing will continue the very important roof and porch repairs, but begin to address other health hazards, such as mold, asbestos and lead remediation that are just as important to keep residents safely housed,” said DOH Commissioner Marisa Novara. “The delegate agencies will be instrumental in administering and managing the program as well as expanding the pool of local small and minority contractors that will be responsible for completing the repairs.”

The HRP service providers’ primary role is seeking out and managing a qualified pool of local small and minority construction firms to secure bids on HRP projects. The service provider must have successful experience executing a construction cost containment bid and contract award process and the financial ability to front fund these projects. The administrative service provider must be a not-for-profit and cannot be a construction subcontractor. Other administrative obligations include oversight of subcontractors, construction practices and performance, implementation and documentation of lead-safe practices, and lead abatement procedures.

Under the HRP, grants will be provided for rehabilitation or repair services up to $24,999, excluding households requiring lead abatement, to qualified owner-occupied homeowners of single-family attached or detached units or two-to-four rental units within owner-occupied properties for service, including but not limited to:

• Roof or porch repair/replacement.
• Remediation of environmental health hazards. Areas of concern to be addressed include mold, asbestos or lead remediation, flood control, air quality, and other environmental issues that may be deemed an unhealthy living condition.
• Small accessibility improvements, rehabilitation, or repairs for households with occupant(s) with disabilities.

The lottery program for the 2022 Home Repair Program (HRP) will open May 20, 2021, and qualified residents must register by May 20, 2021, for a chance to receive a grant for service. Information on the process and income qualifications can be found here.

The RFP for service providers is available now, and the window for submissions begins December 16, 2020. The Department of Housing will be hosting two virtual pre-bid conferences on December 16, one in English and one in Spanish. Details on the pre-bid conferences will be available by visiting http://www.chicago.gov/housing. All bids must be submitted electronically through the City of Chicago’s Procurement Services portal and received by 12pm, CST on January 11, 2021.

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