Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds
On or about Thursday April 23, 2020 the City of Austin will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, to undertake a project known as Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation (GNDC) Infill Lots.
Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation (“GNDC”), a non-profit housing development organization is requesting funds for the following projects:
Project #1 (CEST) - The Jobe House, at 1113 East 9th Street, will be remodeled into a duplex by adding one efficiency. At 810 Lydia Street, GNDC will build a 2-bedroom ADU rental property restricted for households at 50% MFI or below. At 809 San Marcos Street, a one-bedroom unit will be demolished and replaced by a new 3- bedroom unit that will be sold to a first-time home buyer with an income at or below 80% MFI in a Community Land Trust. One mitigating factor was identified during the environmental review and a MOA between the Texas State Historical Commission, GNDC, and the City of Austin was signed in order to mitigate the section 106 concerns. The estimated cost of this project is $636,960.00 in HOME funds.
Project #2 (CEST) – At 1103 Clermont Avenue, GNDC is requesting funds to demolish a 2-bedroom unit and will replace it with a 3-bedroom primary unit that will be sold to a first-time home buyer with an income at or below 80% MFI in a Community Land Trust. A 2-bedroom secondary ADU will be built at the rear of the lot for rental by households at 30% MFI or below. Part of the Statement of Work will include noise mitigation efforts to reduce the noise to an acceptable level. The estimated cost of the project is $212,230 in HOME funds.
Project #3 (CEST_CONV_EXEMPT) - At 1008 Brass Street, a small 2-bedroom house will be demolished and replaced by a new 3- bedroom primary unit at the front of the lot, and a new 2-bedroom ADU will be built at the back of the lot. The estimated cost of this project is $1,061,600 in HOME funds. The total estimated cost in HOME funds is $1,910,790. The estimated cost of the entire project is $2,977,600 and includes non-federal funds.
The activities proposed are 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 determinations for this project is on file at 1000 East 11th Street, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78702 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M to 5 P.M, by appointment only. Due to COVID 19, the ERR will be made available to the public for review electronically by emailing a request to NHCD@austintexas.gov as well as online at the following website http://www.austintexas.gov/department/housing.
Public Comments
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the Environmental Review to the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department, ATTN: OHDA Environmental Compliance, P.O. Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767OR or via email at NHCD@austintexas.gov. All comments received Wednesday April 22, 2020 will be considered by The City of Austin prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.
Environmental Certification
The City of Austin certifies to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that Rosie Truelove in her capacity as Director 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 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Austin to use Program funds.
Objections to Release of Funds
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will accept objections to its release of fund and The City of Austin’s 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 Austin; (b) the City of Austin 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 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (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, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Elva Garcia, Director, CPD, Hipolito Garcia Federal Building, 615 East Houston Street, Suite 347, San Antonio, TX 78205-2001. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
City of Austin
Rosie Truelove, Director
Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department
P.O. Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767
(512) 974-3100