Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds for Tiered Projects and Programs

Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds for Tiered Projects and ProgramsNOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS FOR TIERED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS Date of Publication: May 6, 2026 Hamilton County 138 East Court Street, Room 1002 Cincinnati, OH 45202 513-946-8217 On or after May 14, 2026, 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: Colerain Township Residential Rehabilitation Purpose: To support eligible critical repairs and home improvements that will help preserve homeownership for Colerain Township homeowners. Location: The project will take place at eligible locations throughout Colerain Township, Ohio. Project/Program Description: Colerain Township has initiated a Home Repair Assistance Program in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Greater Cincinnati. It is designed to help preserve homeownership for qualified Colerain Township homeowners to create healthier, safer home environments by completing eligible needed critical repairs and home improvements. 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 58.35(a)(3)(i) Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site-specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review: 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) Sole Source Aquifers – this section determines if the project site is located within a Sole Source Aquifer, and if it is likely to have an adverse impact on groundwater resources. (5) 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: $100,000 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 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 8 A.M to 4 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 Hamilton County at 138 East Court Street, Room 1002, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202 . All comments received by May 13, 2026, will be considered by Hamilton County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION Hamilton county certifies to HUD that Angela Rahman, Certifying Officer, in her capacity as Community and Economic 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 Hamilton County to use HUD program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of fund 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 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 Office of Community Planning and Development, Columbus Field Office at CPDColumbusRROF@hud.gov . Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Angela Rahman, Community and Economic Development Administrator, Certifying Officer