Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS FOR TIERED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS Date of Publication: July 1, 2024 Butler County, Ohio Department of Development, Community Development Division 130 High Street, 6th Floor Hamilton, OH 45011 (513) 785 - 5391 On or after July 9, 2024, the County of Butler will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Region V Office for the release of Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, as amended, to undertake the following projects: Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS)/CHDO Purpose: This program will create quality affordable housing for three low-to-moderate-income families seeking to obtain homeownership. Location: Butler County, the specific addresses will be assessed in the site-specific reviews. Project/Program Description: NHS will acquire, rehabilitate, and sell three (3) single-family homes to three (3) low-to-moderate-income families seeking homeownership. Through this program, each purchaser will receive eight (8) hours of homebuyer education to further success as a homeowner. 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: 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3)(i), 58.35(a)(5) Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review: Clear Zones and Accident Potential Zones; 24 CFR Part 51 Subpart D / Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 [42 USC 4001-4128 and 42 USC 5154a] / Contamination and Toxic Substances; 24 CFR 50.3(i) & 58.5(i)(2) / Floodplain Management; Executive Order 11988, particularly section 2(a); 24 CFR Part 55 / National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, particularly sections 106 & 110; 36 CFR Part 800] / Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as amended, particularly section 1424(e); 40 CFR Part 149 / Environmental Justice; Executive Order 12898 Mitigation Measures/Conditions / Permits (if any): None Estimated Project Cost: $448,000 / HOME Funds: $285,116 Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati (HFHGC)/ New Construction Purpose: This project will create affordable single-family housing for two qualified low-to-moderate-income families seeking to become homeowners. Location: 710 Fuller Way, and 712 Fuller Way, Oxford, Butler County, Ohio Project/Program Description: HFHGC's volunteers will build two (2) single-family homes. These homes will be purchased by qualified low-to-moderate-income, first-time homebuyers who would be unable to qualify for and afford a traditional home mortgage. Home buyers will also complete Homeownership Education and Financial Peace University classes that provide home maintenance, mortgage readiness, and money management instruction. Level of Environmental Review Citation: 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(4) Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review: None Mitigation Measures/Conditions/ Permits (if any): None Estimated Project Cost: $438,400 / HOME Funds: $100,000 Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: City of Middletown/Affordable Housing Development Purpose: This program will create quality affordable housing for four (4) low-to-moderate-income families seeking to obtain homeownership. Location: The City of Middletown, Butler County, the specific addresses will be assessed in the site-specific reviews. Project/Program Description: The City of Middletown will manage the development of four new single-family affordable homes in low-to-moderate-income areas. 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: 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(4) Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review: Clear Zones and Accident Potential Zones; 24 CFR Part 51 Subpart D / Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 [42 USC 4001-4128 and 42 USC 5154a] / Clean Air Act, as amended, particularly section 176(c) & (d); 40 CFR Parts 6,51,93 / Explosive and Flammable Hazards; 24 CFR Part 51 Subpart C / Contamination and Toxic Substances; 24 CFR 50.3(i) & 58.5(i)(2) / Floodplain Management; Executive Order 11988, particularly section 2(a); 24 CFR Part 55 / Noise Control Act of 1972, as amended by the Quiet Communities Act of 1978; 24 CFR Part 51 Subpart B / Environmental Justice; Executive Order 12898 Mitigation Measures/Conditions/ Permits (if any): None Estimated Project Cost: $448,000 / HOME Funds: $183,844 The activity/activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements per 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3)(i), 58.35(a)(5); & 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(4). An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at Butler County Department of Development, Community Development Division, 130 High Street, 6th floor, Hamilton, Ohio 45011, and may be examined or copied weekdays from 8 A.M. to 5 P.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 the Butler County Department of Development, Community Development Division. All comments received by July 9, 2024, will be considered by Butler County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The County of Butler certifies to HUD that Susan Ellerhorst, 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. HUD's approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Butler County to use HUD program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and Butler 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 Butler County; (b) Butler 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 HUD; 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 HUD administration office at address of that office. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Susan Ellerhorst, Community Development Administrator Certifying Officer, 7/1/2024 7-1/2024