Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS City of Gresham – Community Revitalization Gresham City Hall, 3rd Floor 1333 NW Eastman Parkway Gresham, OR 97030 Date of Publication: August 27, 2021 On or about September 7, 2021 the City of Gresham – Community Revitalization will submit two requests to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 as amended, Public Law 93-383, as amended, to undertake the following projects: Adapt A Home & Mend A Home Both projects are multiyear spanning from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The City will be carrying out minor rehabilitation on single family homes (1 to 4 family dwelling). The project area is the entire City of Gresham although it is the City’s policy to exclude homes in the 100-year floodplain or floodways unless the homeowner provides proof of flood insurance. The activities include: minor rehabilitation of owner occupied single family homes who apply to the Program, and minor rehabilitation for accessibility improvements of single family rental homes owned by landlords who apply to the program. It is estimated that between 200 and 300 occupied units will be rehabilitated over the life of the programs. In most cases, households are low-income seniors and/or people with disabilities. Both programs will assist low-to-moderate-income households with approximately $100,000 in CDBG funds for the Adapt A Home program and $80,000 for the Mend A Home program if approved by Council annually. The actual funding for the program is identified in the City’s annual action plan. The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. Specific locations of individual units to be repaired cannot be determined prior to the completion of the City’s Area-Wide Environmental Review and the Request for Release of Funds (RROF) and the City of Gresham, as the Responsible Entity (RE), is using the Tiered Environmental Review process under HUD Regulations at 24 CFR Part 58.15. The RROFs will be in effect for five years from the acceptance date, in conjunction with Consortia’s Consolidated Plan for 2021-2025. The City of Gresham has completed its first tier review of the Adapt A Home and Mend A Home Programs. The City identified a number of laws and authorities that can be considered on an area-wide basis, including: Floodplain Management (24 CFR Part 55 and Executive Order 11988), The Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968, The Endangered Species Act (50 CFR Part 402), The Clean Air, The Farmland Protection Act of 1981, Wetlands Protection (Executive Order 11990), Sole Source Aquifers (the Safe Drinking Water Act, 40 CFR Part 149), The Environmental Justice Executive Order 12898, The Noise Abatement and Control Standard (CFR part 51B), The Explosive and Flammable Operations Standard (24 CFR Part 51C) and The Airport Clear Zones and Accident Potential Zones (24 CFR Part 51D). In the second tier review, the City has identified laws and authorities that must be analyzed with site specific environmental review for each Housing Repair Program Project. These laws include: Historic Preservation (36 CFR Part 800), Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, and Toxic Chemicals and Radioactive Materials (24 CFR, Part 58.5 (i)). Under Historic Preservation, if any property is identified as eligible for the national register, the proposed rehabilitation will meet Secretary of the Interior Standards. Under Flood Disaster Protection, any project located in the 100-year flood plain will maintain flood insurance in the amount of the rehabilitation. For Toxic Hazards, the project will be clear of hazards that impact health and safety of occupants. Public Comments: Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on these ERRs to the City of Gresham Community Revitalization – Adapt A Home and Mend A Home Programs at the address above or via email to Rachel.Nehse@greshamoregon.gov. All comments received by end of day September 3, 2021 will be considered by the City of Gresham prior to submission of the Request for Release of Funds. The Environmental Reviews record and document the environmental determinations for these projects, and may be accessed and examined on the City’s website at www.GreshamOregon.gov/Community-Revitalization or you may request a copy via email or regular mail by contacting Rachel Nehse at Rachel.Nehse@GreshamOregon.gov or 503-618-2814. Translated copies can be provided upon request. Environmental Certification: The City of Gresham certifies to HUD that Eric Schmidt, in his capacity as Assistant City Manager 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 the City of Gresham to use CDBG Program funds. Objections to Release of Funds: The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development will consider objections to its release of funds and the City of Gresham’s certification received by September 22, 2021 or a period of fifteen days from its 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 or other officer of the City of Gresham approved by HUD; (b) the City of Gresham 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 has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; (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) and shall be addressed to U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development at CPD_COVID-19OEE-POR@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Published 08/27/21 GO213621

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