Request for Proposals For Legal Counsel

Request for Proposals (RFP) For Legal Counsel for the Housing Authority of Florence and its Board of Commissioners

Position Summary:

The Housing Authority of Florence (serving Florence and Cheraw) hereby requests proposals from qualified law firms and attorneys to provide legal services under a firm fixed price contract for a two (2) year time period with a one (1) year option to extend the contract.

Attorney provides legal counsel and representation to the Housing Authority of Florence (HAF), its Board of Commissioners, staff, and clients.  This role involves advising on a wide range of legal issues related to public housing, affordable housing, tenant rights, housing finance, and compliance with local, state, and federal housing regulations.  The attorney will ensure that HAF operates within the bounds of the law while fulfilling its mission to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing for eligible residents of Florence.  The attorney will also play a key role in procurement, strategic planning, developing financial strategies (including bonds), and ensuring legal compliance with policies surrounding not-for-profit resident drug activity.

The H.A.F. created by the S.C. State Legislature and a "Public Housing Agency" as defined in the United States Housing Act of 1937, was organized in 1968 with the mission of providing quality, safe and affordable housing to the residents of Florence County.  In 2021 HAF was designated as a "Moving-To-Work" (MTW) agency by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which includes significant changes to our current practices and policies.

 

Key Responsibilities:

Legal Advice and Representation:

Provide legal counsel to the HAF Board of Commissioners, Executive Staff, and Departments on housing law, governance, compliance, and policy matters.

Represent HAF in administrative hearings, court proceedings, and negotiations involving housing-related disputes or litigation.

Advise on Public Housing and Affordable Housing matters, including Section Eight and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) programs.

 

Procurement and Contract Management:

Oversee and advise on procurement processes for housing projects, property management, and other services, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local procurement regulations.

Draft, review, and negotiate contracts related to housing development, construction, property management, and service agreements.

Ensure all procurement activities align with legal standards and HAF's goals.

 

Board Support and Meeting Attendance:

Attend HAF Board meetings as requested and provide legal guidance on agenda items, resolutions, and policies.

Advise the Board on legal risks, regulatory compliance, and legal ramifications of potential actions or decisions.

Assist with board decision-making and help ensure legal compliance in board-level decisions related to housing programs, financing, and development.

Some travel may be required for hearings, meetings, and site visits.

Occasional evening or weekend work may be necessary for board meetings or urgent matters.

 

Compliance and Risk Management:

Ensure that HAF's policies, programs, and projects comply with relevant laws and regulations, including fair housing laws, tenant rights, Public Housing, Section 8, Low-Income Housing, and other affordable housing program requirements.

Maintain and enforce policies related to resident drug activity and ensure legal compliance with not-for-profit and public housing regulations in this area.

Develop and implement strategies to minimize legal and financial risks across housing programs.

 

Strategic Planning and Development:

Assist in the development and implementation of HAF's long-term strategic planning initiatives, providing legal insight into housing policy, program development, and operational goals.

Advise on opportunities for new housing development projects, financing mechanisms, and strategic growth of the agency.

Provide legal support for long-term planning to ensure alignment with HAF's mission, local and state housing needs, and regulatory requirements.

 

Financial Bonds and Funding:

Provide legal expertise in the issuance of financial bonds, including revenue bonds and tax-exempt bonds, to support housing development and improvement projects.

Assist in structuring and negotiating bond transactions, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, and protecting HAF's interests in financing deals.

Collaborate with financial advisors, bond counsel, and other professionals to successfully develop and secure funding through bonds.

 

Policy Development and Advocacy:

Contribute to the development and review of policies, procedures, and regulations to ensure that HAF operates in a legally sound and efficient manner.

Advocate for policies that promote fair housing, tenant rights, and community development within Florence and South Carolina.

Provide recommendations to the Board and leadership on policy changes, regulatory updates, and housing industry trends.

 

Litigation and Dispute Resolution:

Represent HAF in legal matters related to tenant disputes, housing discrimination, contract breaches, or other housing-related litigation.

Mediate disputes between tenants, landlords, and other stakeholders to reach settlements and avoid protracted litigation.

 

Training and Staff Support:

Provide legal training and guidance to HAF staff on housing law, compliance matters, and best practices.

Assist staff in resolving tenant-related issues, including lease violations, evictions, and other housing-related legal matters.

 

Other Duties:

Perform other duties as assigned to support HAF's mission, strategic goals, and legal responsibilities.

 

Qualifications / Scope of Services:

HAF is seeking qualified law firm(s) or attorney(s) to provide a broad range of legal services including, but not limited to:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of South Carolina.
• A minimum of (five) 5 years of experience practicing law, with significant experience in housing law, public housing, or government-related legal work.
• Experience with Public Housing, Section Eight, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), and other affordable housing programs is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local housing regulations, including fair housing laws, landlord-tenant law, procurement standards, and 504/Reasonable Accommodation rules and regulations.
• Experience advising or representing public entities or boards, particularly in housing, governance, and strategic planning.
• Experience with the issuance and management of financial bonds or other public financing mechanisms.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen understanding of risk management in public housing.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment.
• HAF policies and procedures
• Board actions
• Personnel actions
• Agreements between HAF and other parties
• HUD statutory requirements such as:
  • Handicap Accessibility
  • Utility allowances
  • Public Housing Issues Certifications
  • Housing Choice Vouchers
• Procurement
• Attend board meetings as requested
• Development and legal maintenance of not-for-profit organization
• Resident drug activities
• Strategic planning
• Development of finance bonds
• Affordable housing development, including tax credit development

 

Evaluation Factors:

Evidence of the firm's ability to provide services as indicated by profiles of principals' and staff professional and technical competence, experience and facilities.

Experience providing legal services to Public Housing Agencies and specifically in developing affordable housing.

Capability to provide professional service in a timely manner.

Past performance in terms of cost control, quality of services and successful track record.

Knowledge of Local, State, Federal and HUD rules, regulations and laws

 

Fee Schedule: 

Provide rates by classification. Include such classifications as: 

• Principals 
• Associates 
• Paralegal 
• Clerk 

If necessary, provide a separate fee schedule by classification for services related to affordable housing development which may include utilization of tax credits.  List any other costs that may apply other than hourly rates.        

 

Insurance: 

All prospective firms and attorneys will be required to have a Certificate of Professional Liability Insurance or show the ability to obtain the applicable coverage limits if awarded a contract.

 

Forms and Attachments: 

• Submit the following forms which shall constitute a part of the RFP and any contract.  All work will be performed in accordance with professional standards, HUD regulations, requirements and criteria, local codes, regulations, ordinances and statutes.
• Evidence the attorneys are currently registered and licensed to provide services in South Carolina. Certified statement that the attorneys are not debarred, suspended or otherwise prohibited from professional practice by any federal, state or local agency (Debarred attorneys and firms will not be considered).
• Form of Non-Collusion Affidavit

 

Proposal Submission Instructions:

One (1) signed original and one (1) unbound copy of the proposal MUST BE MAILED to the H.A.F. at the following address by Friday, February 28th, 2025.  
Proposals received/date stamped after that date will not be accepted. 

Housing Authority of Florence 
Attn: Board of Commissioners
P.O. Box 5685
Florence, S.C. 29503

Requests for clarifications and/or information concerning this solicitation shall be submitted in writing no later than five (5) days before RFP closing to the P.O. Box listed above.

No email or hand-delivered proposals will be accepted.