Homes for All Service Site Application Instructions2017-2018

Deadline: May 12th, 2017

Homes for All is seeking applications from qualified Service Sites to host AmeriCorps Members for the 2017-2018 program year. Qualified Service Sites are non-profit organizations with 501(c)3 status, educational institutions (local school districts, colleges, universities, etc.), local government entities, and state agencies in Kentucky with demonstrated needs, as well as the capacity and ability to recruit, train and host a Homes for All Member.

We strongly encourage you to read all the information completely before completing the application process. Please pay particular attention to the stated expectations and responsibilities of Service Sites and HHCK.

About Homes for All

Homes for Allis an AmeriCorps State program administered by the Homeless & Housing Coalition of Kentucky (HHCK). Homes for Allis funded through grants received from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the Kentucky Commission on Community Service and Volunteerism (KCCVS).

AmeriCorps is a national service program that provides thousands of Americans of all ages and backgrounds with an opportunity to give back to their communities and country. AmeriCorps Members dedicate a year of their lives to service in exchange for a small living allowance and educational benefits.

HHCK sponsors AmeriCorps Members who help satisfy unmet needs in the areas of housing and homelessness, and other poverty issues throughout the state of Kentucky. Homes for Allpartners with non-profit organizations, educational institutions, local government entities, and state agencies that act as host Sites for AmeriCorps Members. Homes for AllMembers provide direct service to low income individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or inadequately housed. The Homes for All program year begins September 1, 2017 and ends August 31, 2018. Participation requires a one year commitment from both the Service Site and the AmeriCorps Member. Service Sites also must be or become organizational members of HHCK (please see HHCK Membership Application on the HHCK website).

Member Activities

Sites may utilize Homes for All Members in the following ways:

  • Help build safe, healthy, affordable housing for low income individuals and families;
  • Help improve existing homes through repair, renovation and/or weatherization services;
  • Teach basic home maintenance and energy conservation skills to homeowners,
  • Provide financial literacy training to economically disadvantaged individuals or groups;
  • Provide housing and case management services to homeless or economically disadvantaged individuals;
  • Help recruit, train, and lead volunteers in activities related to the above services;
  • Other activities approved by Homes for All staff.

You must indicate in the Member Position Description, what activities you are applying for your Member to participate in and an approximate percentage of time that the Member will spend on each. Please utilize one of the position description templates (located on the website) and examples of approved position descriptions in order to include all needed information concerning the Member's position and activities. If you are applying for Members in multiple physical locations of your organization, i.e. Frankfort and Lexington, you must complete the narrative section addressing the questions in full for each position and each location.

There is no limit to the number of positions you can request. The number of positions you are granted if you are selected as a Service Site will depends on the following –

  • the level of funding HHCK receives,
  • previous experience with the Service Site (if applicable),
  • need of service agency,
  • and the strength of the position description for each Member

2017-2018 Program Goals

Homes for All Members will provide housing services to 3500 economically disadvantaged and homeless individuals.

  • 1350 of these individuals will successfully maintain or secure safe, healthy, affordable housing.

Housing placement, homelessness prevention, financial literacy, construction, repair, and weatherization will all be counted under this performance measure for the 2017-2018 program year. Food and clothing assistance cannot be counted under this performance measure, but that does not mean that the Member may not serve clients in this way.

AllHomes for All Members will be required to conduct at least one team service project.

In addition, Members are encouraged to train and manage volunteers at their Service Sites. Please indicate how many volunteers you expect your AmeriCorps Member to recruit, train, or manage. Please keep program goals in mind when completing the Member Position Description.

Submissions Deadlines

April 14th, 2017 – Emailed intent to apply, with the number and type of positions you are requesting, to Caitlin

. You are welcome to send this information sooner!

May 12th, 2017 – Application due to HHCK no later than the close of business, with all attachments included.

Early June – Organization is notified of selection decision and the number of slots awarded, provided Homes

for All is awarded funding.

Mid-June – Slots awarded is confirmed after notice is received from KCCVS

Submission Information

The completed application may be submitted in two ways –

  1. Email to Homes for All program staff at
  2. Add materials as email attachments and use the subject line “Site Application”
  3. Mail the signature page to HHCK (required original copy)
  4. Fax to Homes for All program staff at 502.226.4968
  5. Mail the signature page to HHCK (required original copy)

HHCK – AmeriCorps

306 W Main St., Ste 207

Frankfort, KY 40601

Application Instructions

The Service Site application is the means by which HHCK receives information about a proposed Service Site. The application is relatively brief, but each component is vital in assessing the merits of the organization as a Homes for AllService Site. Each application will be reviewed by several people who will independently evaluate it using a standardized 100-point scoring guide. Previous experience—both positive and negative—with agencies that have hosted Homes for AllMembers before will be taken into account. New applicants will not be penalized for lack of previous experience with the Homes for Allprogram.

Your application consists of the following components. Please be sure to complete each one.

1)Applicant Information Form

2)Position Description(s) on the form provided

3)Narrative

4)Signature Page

Applicant Information Form -

The Applicant Information Form is set up as a locked form Word document so that you can easily click on the gray boxes and insert your answers. The form can be downloaded from the HHCK website.

Position Description(s) –

The position description must be specific and include duties and the approximate percentage of time that a Member will be spending on each of the duties. Please use the form provided to you and do NOT leave any portion of the form blank. All portions are required by CNCS. This Member position description will be a separate document from the application narrative, so that a copy is easily made for the Site Supervisor, Member, and Homes for All Program Director. If your agency is awarded a Member, this document will go into the Member’s file and into the Site file. If the Service Site will require the Member to be drug tested, this must be stated in the position description. (The Service Site must pay for the cost of drug testing.)

We look for Member roles that meet a compelling community need, are aligned with our program’s mission and performance measures, and will provide the AmeriCorps Member with a meaningful, enriching service experience. Please note that AmeriCorps Members must be primarily engaged in direct service. Administrative tasks must be kept to a minimum. Fundraising must also be kept to a minimum and is only allowable if connected to direct client services. All fundraising must be approved by the Homes for All program director before the Member engages in the activity. Gathering items, such as clothing, personal hygiene necessities, food, etc. does not need prior approval.

*If you are applying for more than one AmeriCorps Member, please include a separate position description for each.

Narrative

We suggest that the narrative is completed as a Word document and emailed along with the rest of the application. It should not be longer than four pages in length. The narrative should include the following –

  1. Member Orientation and Training

AmeriCorps Members must receive orientation and training that will give them the necessary knowledge and skills to accomplish assigned tasks. HHCK will provide the Members with detailed training on the AmeriCorps program and general housing and homelessness issues in Kentucky. Members will also be provided with basic training on completing position requirements. Responsibility for preparing the Member to perform their day-to-day tasks, however, will rest with the Service Site. We expect your agency to provide the Member with detailed orientation and training.

  • Describe in detail your plans for orienting the Member to your organization, the community, and to the service they will perform, including agency policies and procedures, and internal and external training.
  • How do you plan to train your Member to perform all the activities they will engage in and, as necessary, provide them with ongoing training throughout their term of service?
  • What is the timeline for this training?
  • Identify the training curricula, the materials you will use, and the staff person/people responsible.
  • How will you ensure that your Member has learned what he or she needs to do in order to be successful in assigned tasks?
  1. Member Development Opportunities
  • Describe any other learning opportunities that your organization is willing and able to provide that could help Members enhance their overall knowledge and experience.
  • List any additional benefits that will be provided to an AmeriCorps Member serving at your agency (housing, meals, training, equipment, etc.) and the estimated value of these benefits.
  1. Organizational Success
  • Describe your organization’s experience as a Service Site and provide specific examples of accomplishments during the 2016-2017 program year, as it relates to AmeriCorps Member activities.
  • If you experienced difficulty as an AmeriCorps Service Site, please explain these difficulties and how you plan to handles these challenges if chosen as a Service Site for the 2017-2018 program year.
  1. Additional Information –
  • Approximate number of homes your member(s) will be building
  • Approximate number of major rehabilitations your member will be assisting with
  • Approximate number of minor rehabilitation projects your member will participate in
  • Approximate number of housing clients (unduplicated) that each of your members will serve
  • Approximate number of volunteers for member will recruit, train or manage_____

Signature Page -

We will need the original signatures on the signature page, so please mail this to HHCK by the application deadline. This is also available on our website.

Thank you for your application!

NOTE: All positions depend upon continued funding from CNCS and KCCVS.