NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (NOIRROF) March 20, 2024 The City or Rensselaer 62 Washington Street, Rensselaer, NY 12144 (518) 462-4839 REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about March 28, 2024, the City of Rensselaer will submit a request to the New York State Homes & Community Renewal (HCR) through the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC), for the release of $479,000 in HOME funds under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (NAHA) of 1990, in accordance with section 288 (42 U.S.C. 12838), to authorize the City of Rensselaer to undertake a project known as Proud Neighborhoods Initiative (Housing Rehabilitation) for purposes of housing rehabilitation with an estimated total project cost of $505,000. The activities proposed are Categorically Excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act requirements. This is the first tier of review in a 2-tiered process. The specific addresses of homes are not known at this time because the participating property owner identification process is ongoing. Therefore, under 24 CFR Part 58.15 (Tiering) and 24 CFR Part 58.32 (Project Aggregation), the City of Rensselaer will use a tiered approach and 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. No physical work will begin on properties until all levels of environmental review are complete and found to be in compliance. Tier 1 review addresses specific environmental factors for which compliance has been documented, regardless of specific site locations. It prevents repeating the same compliance factors on a Tier 2 site-specific basis, once all participating homeowners are known. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at: City of Rensselaer Planning and Development Department City Hall, Second Floor 62 Washington Street Rensselaer, NY 12144 (518) 462-4839 and may be examined or copied weekdays 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project may also be obtained by emailing [email protected] PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Amy Lolik Assistant Planning Director The City of Rensselaer 62 Washington Street, Rensselaer, NY 12144 (518) 462-4839 All comments received by March 27, 2024 will be considered by the City of Rensselaer prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The City of Rensselaer certifies to HTFC that Amy Lolik in her capacity as Certifying Officer 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. HTFC's approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows the City of Rensselaer to use Program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HTFC will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Rensselaer’s certification received by April 12, 2024 or for a period of fifteen days following 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 City of Rensselaer; (b) City of Rensselaer 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 project have committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HTFC; 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, Section 58.76) and shall be addressed to Cody Sargood Environmental Analysis Unit New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation Hampton Plaza 38-40 State Street Albany, New York 12207 [email protected] Potential objectors should contact HTFC to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Amy Lolik Certifying Officer March 20, 2024
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