Request for Proposals
Beyond Barriers: Advancing Integrated Care & Housing
Leeway, Inc. is seeking a lead planning consultant to build the blueprint for an integrated housing, healthcare, recovery, and supportive services continuum in New Haven, Connecticut.
Proposals due September 14, 2026
- Issued by
- Leeway, Inc.
New Haven, CT - Funding source
- Connecticut Community Investment Fund (CIF) Planning Grant
- Date of issue
- August 14, 2026
- Proposals due
- September 14, 2026
- Anticipated start
- October 1, 2026
- Contact
- Jay Katz
Executive Director
info@leeway.net
Introduction
One consultant. One unified planning process.
Leeway seeks a qualified planning consultant to support the Beyond Barriers Initiative. This planning effort will create a blueprint for an integrated housing, healthcare, recovery and supportive services continuum serving individuals with complex medical and social needs.
We are looking for a lead planning consultant capable of assembling and managing a multidisciplinary team across every component of the initiative. The successful consultant will serve as the primary coordinator for planning activities and will be responsible for integrating technical, regulatory, community engagement, site planning, financial, and implementation planning efforts into a single strategic planning process.
About Leeway, Inc.
Care built around the people other systems leave behind.
Leeway, Inc. is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization based in New Haven, Connecticut, dedicated to serving individuals with complex medical, behavioral health, substance use, housing, and social service needs. Leeway has long been at the forefront of developing new models of integrated care that address the social determinants of health and promote long-term stability, recovery, and community inclusion.
Our continuum of services includes skilled nursing care, residential services, supportive housing, care coordination, and community-based supports for individuals facing significant barriers to health and housing stability. Leeway serves many of Connecticut's most vulnerable residents, including individuals living with chronic health conditions, behavioral health challenges, substance use disorders, homelessness, and other complex life circumstances.
Working alongside healthcare systems, government agencies, housing providers, community organizations, and individuals with lived experience, Leeway has built a reputation for person-centered, trauma-informed, equity-focused services that improve health outcomes while advancing independence and quality of life.
The Beyond Barriers Initiative reflects Leeway's commitment to expanding and strengthening integrated housing, healthcare, recovery, and supportive service models. Through this planning effort, Leeway will develop a roadmap for future investments that increase access to housing, improve health equity, support recovery, and create sustainable solutions for individuals and families facing complex medical and social challenges.
Project Background
Funded by the Connecticut Community Investment Fund.
This initiative will evaluate opportunities to expand integrated housing, healthcare, recovery, and supportive service capacity, then develop an implementation roadmap aligned with DECD priorities.
The planning process will also evaluate the healthcare, housing, recovery, regulatory, environmental, site feasibility, and facility planning considerations necessary to support future capital investment and long-term operational sustainability.
What success looks like
A single, defensible strategic plan and implementation roadmap that Leeway, DECD, and future capital funders can act on: grounded in community need, tested against site and regulatory reality, and backed by a financial model that holds up.
Scope of Work
Twelve areas of work, coordinated by one lead.
The selected consultant will serve as the lead planning consultant and will coordinate all project activities necessary to complete the Beyond Barriers Initiative. The consultant may perform services directly or through subcontractors and specialty consultants, and will be responsible for identifying, coordinating, managing, and integrating all expertise the planning effort requires.
Project Management, Consultant Coordination & Strategic Planning Oversight
Community Needs Assessment
Community Engagement & Stakeholder Outreach
Integrated Care Continuum Design
Legal & Regulatory Assessment
Site Selection & Facility Planning
Environmental Review & Due Diligence
Pre-Design, Facility Programming & Schematic Design
Market & Financial Feasibility Analysis
Funding Strategy Development
Economic Impact Analysis
Final Strategic Plan & Implementation Roadmap
Deliverables
Fifteen deliverables due from the engagement.
- Needs Assessment Report
- Community Engagement Report
- Community Insights Report
- Service Model Framework
- Legal & Regulatory Planning Memorandum
- Environmental Due Diligence Memorandum
- Site Selection Report
- Site Feasibility Assessment
- Conceptual Space Program
- Schematic Design Narrative and Concept Drawings
- Financial Feasibility Study
- Funding Strategy
- Economic Impact Assessment
- Final Strategic Plan
- Implementation Roadmap and Presentation Materials
Consultant Team Requirements
Who should respond.
Leeway seeks proposals from firms or multidisciplinary teams with demonstrated experience in integrated healthcare, housing development, behavioral health services, substance use disorder treatment services, community planning, economic development, and capital project planning.
The selected consultant will coordinate and integrate all specialty consultants into a unified planning process. If your firm covers part of this scope, you are welcome to respond as the lead with named subconsultants, or to partner with a lead firm.
Proposal Submission Requirements
What to include in your proposal.
Email your complete proposal to info@leeway.net, attention Jay Katz, Executive Director, no later than September 14, 2026. Every proposal must include:
- Cover Letter
- Firm Profile
- Relevant Experience
- Project Team Resumes
- Work Plan
- Schedule
- Budget
- Hourly Rate Schedule
- Three References
- Insurance Information
- Diversity Statement
- Sample Work Products
Evaluation Criteria
How proposals will be scored.
| Criterion | Relative weight | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Relevant Experience & Past Performance | 25% | |
| Understanding of Project & Scope | 20% | |
| Qualifications of Project Team | 20% | |
| Community Engagement & Equity Approach | 15% | |
| Project Methodology & Work Plan | 10% | |
| Budget & Cost Reasonableness | 10% | |
| Total | 100% |
Selection Process
A Selection Committee will review proposals, evaluate submissions using the published criteria, conduct interviews, and recommend the highest-ranked consultant. Final award is subject to applicable DECD and CIF requirements.
Diversity and Inclusion
Leeway encourages submissions from Small Business Enterprises, Minority Business Enterprises, Women Business Enterprises, and firms demonstrating a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and community engagement.
Insurance, Terms & Conditions
The fine print.
Insurance Requirements
Prior to contract execution, the selected consultant shall provide evidence of professional liability, general liability, workers compensation, and customary professional insurance coverages.
Terms and Conditions
Leeway reserves the right to reject any proposal, negotiate scope, seek clarifications, and cancel the procurement. All work products shall become the property of Leeway.
RFP issued August 14, 2026 by Leeway, Inc., New Haven, Connecticut.
Ready to submit?
Send your complete proposal to Jay Katz, Executive Director, by September 14, 2026. Questions about scope or submission requirements go to the same address.