RFP - Kent County Housing Study

Kent County is seeking qualified vendors to conduct a comprehensive housing study that assesses the current supply and demand for housing across all five municipalities, with a focus on availability, accessibility, adequacy, and affordability, stratified by income levels including 50%, 80%, and 120% of the Area Median Income. The study will analyze historical and projected housing trends over a ten-year period, examining homeownership versus rental patterns, unit types, household sizes, and wage-to-housing-cost relationships, while incorporating data beyond the American Community Survey to ensure robust insights. Special attention will be given to the housing needs of vulnerable populations, including homeless individuals, disabled persons, and aging adults, along with an evaluation of existing county and municipal ordinances, comprehensive plans, and opportunities for rehabilitation of blighted areas. The vendor is required to engage with stakeholders, community members, and municipal representatives through an online survey portal and public input mechanisms, delivering a fact sheet on housing gaps in both English and Spanish. Key deliverables include a projected 10-year housing needs forecast, identification of incentives and strategies to expand supply aligned with regional housing targets, an analysis of financial, political, and legal implications of proposed policies, and recommendations for inclusionary zoning and other policy tools to support equitable development. The solicitation, numbered BPM056875, is open for proposals with a firm budget cap of $43,000, funded by a $30,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and a $13,000 grant from the Upper Shore Regional Council. Proposals must be submitted electronically via email to Carla Gerber by June 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST, with “Kent County Housing Study” in the subject line, and must follow a strict five-section format limited to 20 pages total, including an executive summary, proposed methodology with a detailed implementation schedule tied to 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% milestones, vendor qualifications, budget breakdown, and a signed acknowledgment of RFP terms. The award will be made on a best-value basis, prioritizing approach, methodology, demonstrated capacity, staff expertise, timeline feasibility, and cost, with the most beneficial proposal selected regardless of lowest price. Payment is structured in four installments—25% each at 25%, 50%, and 75% completion, with the final 25