NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

August 27, 2024

City of Baltimore – Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
417 East Fayette Street, Suite 1101
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-396-1228

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) and the City of Baltimore Department of Housing and Community Development.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about September 12, 2024, the City of Baltimore will submit a request to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of HOME Investment Partnerships funds under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, as amended, and the City of Baltimore will authorize the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) to submit a request to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development - Public and Indian Housing for the release of Project-based Housing Voucher funds under the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, as amended. The Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) will submit a request to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of funds to undertake the renovation of the existing thirty-four units of transitional shelter housing and the creation of fifty-six (56) studio and one bedroom dwelling units supported by PIH/ HABC Project-based Housing Vouchers. The HUD PIH funding for the project is as follows: HABC Project-based Housing Vouchers – 56 PBVs. Additionally, the City of Baltimore HOME Investment Partnerships Division is supporting the undertaking with HOME American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds in the amount of $1,800,000. The total project cost is approximately $40,842,196 from all Federal, State, Local and private sources.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of Baltimore – (DHCD) has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the City of Baltimore – (DHCD), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) office, 417 East Fayette Street, Suite 1101, Baltimore, MD 21202. All inquiries should be emailed to Joseph.Connor@baltimorecity.gov or via the above phone number.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the project may submit written comments to the City of Baltimore – (DHCD) at the address listed above. All comments received by September 11, 2024 will be considered by the City of Baltimore – (DHCD) prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Commentators should specify which Notice they are addressing.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

The City of Baltimore – (DHCD) certifies to HUD that Ms. Alice Kennedy in her capacity as the Commissioner of the City of Baltimore – (DHCD) 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 Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) and the City of Baltimore to use the referenced funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Baltimore – (DHCD) 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 the City of Baltimore – (DHCD); (b) the City of Baltimore – (DHCD) 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 via email in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58 Sec.58.76), and may be addressed to HUD as follows: Ms. Ebony M. Madyun, Director, Community Planning and Development Division, Ebony.M.Madyun@hud.gov for HOME, and or Ms. Laurel Davis, Director, Public and Indian Housing, for PIH, Laurel.L.Davis@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD at the aforementioned email addresses to verify the actual last day of the objection period or contact HUD at 410-209-6546, to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

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