North East Borough to Receive Community Development Block Grant Funds

ERIE COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

North East Borough has had the good fortune of receiving Community Development Block Grant funds through Erie County’s allocation of federal funds.  This year the Borough will be using these funds for the purpose of Single-Family Rehabilitation.  Please refer to the Notice of Intent to Release Funds for Fiscal Year 2020 bel;ow for further details:

NOTICE OF INTENT TO RELEASE FUNDS

On  or  about  April 29, 2020  the  County  of  Erie will  submit  a  request  to  the  PA Department  of  Community  and Economic  Development (DCED) for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake the following project:

Project Name:  North East Borough Single Family Housing Rehabilitation Project Project Number: (S-19-E-32-6-3) & (S-18-E-32-6-3)

Purpose of Project:  Provide assistance to income eligible single family home owners in North East Borough to improve and upgrade their homes for compliance with HUD Housing Quality Standards and DCED’s Housing Rehab Guidebook  Standards.  Additionally,  the  project  will  begin  to  help  preserve  and  improve  the  Borough’s  overall existing housing stock. Project   Description:   Multi-year   CDBG   funds   will   provide   for   the   rehabilitation  of   approximately   five   (5) substandard, single-family, LMI owner-occupied housing units in North East Borough in order to make them safe, decent,  sanitary,  and energy  efficient  for compliance with HUD  Housing Quality  Standards and DCED’s Housing Rehab  Guidebook  Standards.  The  rehabilitation  work  will  include,  but  not  be  limited  to  roofing,  window installation,  new  heating  and  ventilation  systems,  electrical  and  plumbing  upgrades, lead-based  paint  removal, and  weatherization  measures.  Homes  built  before  1978  will  be  tested  /  cleared  for  lead  based  paint  hazards. Homes located within floodplains are not eligible for assistance under the program. Project delivery services will be provided by the Erie Redevelopment Authority.

Project Location: Community-wide–The houses to be rehabilitated have not yet been selected. Funding Source-Amount:  Multi-Year CDBG / Approximately $108,000

The  proposed  activity  is  “Categorically  Excluded”  under  HUD  regulations  at  24  CFR  Part  58  from  National Environmental  Policy  Act  (NEPA)  requirements.  An  Environmental  Review  Record  (ERR)  that  documents  the environmental determination for this project is on file at the Erie County Department of Planning, 150 East Front Street, Suite 300, Erie, PA 16507 where it can be examined or copied weekdays from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any  individual,  group,  or  agency  may  submit  written  comments  on  the  ERR  to  the  Erie  County  Department of Planning at the above listed address.  All comments received by Tuesday, April 28, 2020 will be considered by the ECDP prior to authorizing the submission of a Request for Release of Funds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The County of Erie certifies to the PA DCED that Kathy Dahlkemper, in her capacity as County Executive, 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. The PA DCED’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows the County of Erie to use CDBG funds for the above-identified project

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
The PA DCED will accept objections to its release of funds and the County’s certification for a period of fifteen (15) days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are based on the following:   (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer/County Executive of the County of Erie;   (b) the County has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the County 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 DCED; 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 addressed to the PA  Department  of  Community  and  Economic  Development,  Center  for  Community  Financing,  Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North Street, 4th Floor, Harrisburg, PA  17120-0225. Potential objectors should contact the PA DCED to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Kathy Dahlkemper
County Executive