NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS FOR TIERED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS

July 7, 2022

City of Warwick
3275 Post Road
Warwick, RI 02886
(401) 921-9688

On or after July 18, 2022 the City of Warwick will authorize Westbay Community Action, Inc.to submit a request to the U. S. Department of Housing & Urban Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-383), as amended, to undertake the following project:

Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: Westbay Community Action, Inc. – Small Home Repair Program

Purpose: Westbay Community Action, Inc.’s – Small Home Repair Program provides grants to low/moderate income homeowners to make small home repairs to their property enabling them to remain in their homes.

Location: Westbay Community Action, Inc.’s – Small Home Repair Program is available throughout the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Warwick. Specific addresses will be assessed in the site specific reviews.

Project/Program Description: Westbay Community Action, Inc. offers small grants that avg. $1,500 to low/moderate income property owners to make mostly interior repairs to their home.  Repairs are normally limited to systems of the home – heating & hot water tanks. 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.

Level of Environmental Review Citation: 24 CFR Part 58.5(a)(3)(i)

Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review:

• Coastal Zone Management - Coastal Zone Management Act, sections 307(c) & (d)
• Flood Insurance - Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 [42 USC 4001-4128 and 42 USC 5154a]
• Floodplain Management - Executive Order 11988, particularly section 2(a); 24 CFR Part 55
• Historic Preservation - National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, particularly sections 106 and 110; 36 CFR Part 800

Mitigation Measures/Conditions/Permits (if any): The Program will ensure that the above referenced laws and authorities are addressed during the Tier 2 review for specific addresses.  The Program is available to only those residences that are existing and habitable.  There will be no new construction as a result of this Program.  Upon site determination, the following will be further investigated as to compliance the respective law & authority:

• Coastal Zone Management – each address will be referred to CRMC for consistency review and to determine if the specific property is located within the jurisdiction of CRMC. If any permits are required as a result of the scope of work, they will be obtained prior to work commencing.
• Flood Insurance – each address will be searched through FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center to determine if the property is located in a flood zone. If the property is determined to be located in a flood zone, the Program will determine if a valid flood insurance policy is in effect prior to work commencing.
• Floodplain Management - each address will be searched through FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center to determine if the property is located in a floodplain. No work will be conducted at locations located in a floodplain. 
• Historic Preservation- the SHPO will be consulted when a specific property is identified that is 50-yrs or greater in age and the scope of work involves new windows, doors, or exterior improvements. THPOs will be notified when any excavation is contained in the scope of work.

Estimated Project Cost: $1,848,902 ($50,000 - CDBG & $1,798,902 - Other funds).

The activity/activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements per 24 CFR Part 58.5(a)(3)(i). An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file and can be examined or copied weekdays 8:30 A.M to 4:30 P.M.at the Office of Housing & Community Development, 61 Hoxsie Avenue (former Randall Holden Elementary School), Warwick, RI 02886.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Office of Housing & Community Development, 3275 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886 or via email: william.r.facente@warwickri.com All comments received by July 15, 2022 will be considered by the City of Warwick prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of Warwick certifies to U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development that Frank J. Picozzi, Certifying Officer,  in his capacity as Mayor 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. U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Westbay Community Action, Inc. to use HUD program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of Warwick’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 Warwick; (b) the City of Warwick 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 U.S. Department of Housing & Community Development; 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 can be either emailed to HUD-Region 1 at CPD_COVID-19OEE-BOS@hud.gov or addressed to:

U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development – Region 1
Office of Community Planning & Development
Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Federal Building
10 Causeway Street, 3^rd Floor
Boston, MA 02222-1092

Potential objectors should contact U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Frank J. Picozzi, Mayor, Certifying Officer
City of Warwick