NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
FOR TIERED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS
Date of Publication: July 3, 2024
Hamilton County
138 East Court Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
513-946-8234
On or after July 22, 2024, Hamilton County will submit a request to the HUD Office of Community Planning and Development Columbus Field Office, 200 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215 for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 Public Law 93-383, as amended 42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq to undertake the following project:
Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: Springdale Home Improvement Project.
Purpose: To provide funding to homeowners having low to moderate income for needed exterior repairs in effort to prevent further deterioration and respond to code violations.
Location: Springdale Ohio, 45246
Project/Program Description: The program provides funding for homeowners to complete exterior repairs to address blight and bring owner occupied housing up to code. The covered repairs include but are not limited to; repair of driveways, walks, stairs and porches, painting caulking, and sealing and replacement and weatherization of doors, windows and gutters. Tier 2 site specific reviews will be completed for those laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review for each address under this program when addresses become known.
Level of Environmental Review Citation: Categorical Exclusion subject to 58.5 pursuant to 24 CFR Part 58.35Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site-specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review: Compliance Factors: Rehabilitation Program of homeowner occupied single family homes, state:“24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3)(i)” Statutes, Executive Orders, and Regulations listed at 24 CFR Part 50.4,58.5, and 58.6.
Mitigation Measures/Conditions/Permits (if any): (1) Airport Hazards-GIS Mapping software is used to determine a project’s proximity to the airport. A project must not be within 15,000 feet of a military airport or 2,500 feet of a civilian airport without sufficient mitigation measures (2) Floodplain Management/Flood Insurance – Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) will be used to determine whether rehabilitation sites are in a flood plain. CDBG funds will not be used for the rehab of structures located in a Special Flood Hazard Area. (3) Wild and Scenic Rivers – This section asks if the project is located in proximity of a Wild and Scenic River, which is defined as a river or river segment which has been designated by congress or by states ( with the concurrence of the Secretary of the Interior) as wild, scenic, or recreational, as well as study rivers and rivers registered in the National Rivers Inventory (NRI) . If located near a Wild and Scenic River, this section asks if the project could have direct and adverse impacts on the river boundaries, invade areas or diminish the river outside of the boundaries, or have an adverse impact on the natural, cultural, and or recreational values of the river. (4) Environmental Justice – this section determines if any adverse impacts were identified over the course of the entire environmental review and asks if these impacts disproportionately impact low-income and/or minority communities.
Estimated Project Cost: $25,000
The activity/activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements per : Rehabilitation Program of homeowner occupied single family homes, state: “24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3)(i)”
An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at 138 East Court Street, Room 1002, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8A.M to 4P.M. or at https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/environmental-review/environmental-review-records/.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Hamilton County Community Development Office at 138 East Court Street, Room 1002, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202. All comments received by July 19, 2024, will be considered by Hamilton County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
Hamilton County certifies to the HUD Office of Community Planning and Development, Columbus Field Office that, Maria Collins Certifying Officer, in her capacity as Community Development Administrator consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The HUD Office of Community Planning and Development, Columbus Field Office’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Hamilton County to use HUD program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
The HUD Office of Community Planning and Development, Columbus Field Office will accept objections to its release of funds and Hamilton County’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of Hamilton County; (b) Hamilton County has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by the HUD Office of Community Planning and Development, Columbus Field Office; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the HUD Office of Community Planning and Development, Columbus Field Office at. 200 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215 Potential objectors should contact the Office of Community Planning and Development Columbus Field Office to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Maria Collins, Community Development Administrator, Certifying Officer