2025 Countywide HVAC Repair / Replacement

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS FOR TIERED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMSHamilton County, Ohio 138 E. Court Street Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202 (513) 946-8234 April 22, 2026 On or after May 2, 2026, Hamilton County, Ohio will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake the following project: Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: 2025 Countywide HVAC Repair / Replacement Purpose: To provide necessary repair and replacement of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for low- to moderate-income homeowners who need financial assistance. Location: Throughout Hamilton County, outside the City of Cincinnati, in the jurisdictions participating in Hamilton County’s HUD program. Project/Program Description: This program dispatches HVAC service contractors to provide critical repairs or replacement of heating and air systems that do not require major structural changes to the home. 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 58.35(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: 24 CFR 51 (D), 24 CFR 50.4(b)(1) and 24 CFR 58.6(a) and (b); 24 CFR 55.1(b), 24 CFR 55, 36 CFR 297, Executive Order 12898. Mitigation Measures/Conditions/Permits (if any): (1) Airport Hazards – GIS mapping software is used to determine a project’s proximity to an 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 rehab of structures located in a Special Flood Hazard Area. (3) Wild & 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 that 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 Nationwide Rivers Inventory (NRI). If located near a Wild and Scenic River, this section asks if the project could have a direct and adverse impact on the river boundaries, invade areas or diminish the river outside the river 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: A total of $100,000 in CDBG funds have been allocated to provide these services. 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). An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the Hamilton County Community Development Office at 138 E. Court Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 and may be examined or copied weekdays 9 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 the Hamilton County Community Development Office at 138 E. Court Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. All comments received by May 2, 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 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 the 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 emailed at CPDColumsbusRROF@hud.gov . Potential objectors should contact HUD CPD Columbus Field Office to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Angela Rahman, Community Development Administrator, Certifying Officer