News Flash

COMBINED NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND 

INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS 

CITY OF LORAIN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (CDBG) AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (HOME)

To all interested AGENCIES, GROUPS AND PERSONS: On or about November 15, 2018 the above named City will request the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to release Federal funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, for the following programs and projects and HOME Investment Partnership.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Programs for PY2018:

1: Administrative cost for staff's salaries, fringe benefits and related overhead cost (direct and indirect) required for the administration of CDBG program activities.

2: Planning: Creating a City of Lorain 5 Year Strategic Plan (2019-2024) and Slum and Blight Study.

3. Funding for the City of Lorain’s local Fair Housing program to provide fair housing services for the city such as updating the fair housing  plan, housing discrimination complaints, providing education and outreach to city residents. 

4. Public Facilities Improvements: architectural design features, waterlines, sewer lines, street improvements, etc.

5. Parks and Rec: area parks and playgrounds, handicap accessibility,

6. Code Enforcement: property maintenance in low to moderate income areas; compliance with building, housing and zoning codes

7. Clearance & Demo: Stoveworks and other slum and blighted areas

8. Provide emergency repairs and accessibility assistance to owner occupied units that are an imminent threat to homeowner’s health and safety.  Provide minor repair assistance for roofs, handicap ramps furnace, HVAC, plumbing, etc. that are necessary without bringing the entire home to City Code. 

9. Provide a match of up to $80,000 per eligible City of Lorain households regarding lead-based paint/ lead hazards testing/ lead abatement through Erie County's Lead Safe Home Grant Program.  This is a joint grant application with Erie and Lorain County political jurisdictions to provide lead remediation activities for area housing units. 

10. Economic Development to sustain, assist and development new and existing businesses.

HOME Projects:

Administrative cost for staff's salaries, fringe benefits and related overhead cost (direct and indirect) required for the administration of HOME program activities.

Down payment Assistance assists persons to become homeowners

Homeowner Occupied Rehabilitation program will help homeowners rehab their homes

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

It has been determined that the above activities will not constitute an action significantly affecting the quality of human environment due to them not being site specific, tier one environmental review,  currently  therefore the city has determined that an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190) is not necessary.  This a tier one environment review once the above projects become site specific a tier two environmental record will be conducted to determine the effect on the environment.

Additional information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) for these programs which is on file at:

DEPARTMENT OF Building, Housing, & Planning

City of Lorain

200 West Erie 5^th Floor

Lorain, OH 44052

Attn: Kellie Glenn, Director

440.204.2020

The ERR for these programs may be examined upon request during regular business at the City Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on these programs may submit in writing comments to the Department of Building, Housing and Planning at the above mentioned address.  All comments received by November 16, 2018 will be considered by the City of Lorain prior to authorizing a submission for a request for release of funds.  Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

The City of Lorain certifies to HUD that the certifying officer Kellie Glenn in her office capacity as Director of the Department of Building, Housing, & Planning convenes 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 Lorain the use of CDBG and HOME funds pursuant to the following stipulations.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Lorain’s certification for a period of 15 days following the adopted submittal date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer or the City of Lorain. (b) The City of Lorain 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 cost 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) and shall be addressed to:

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Ohio State Office

200 North High Street

Columbus, Ohio 43215-2499

Attn: Ms. Jorgelle Lawson, CPD Director

Potential objectors should contact Ms. Lawson at the noted HUD office to verify the actual noted HUD office to verify the actual last day of the objection period. 

Chase Ritenauer, Mayor of the City of Lorain

Kellie Glenn, City of Lorain Director of Building, Housing, & Planning