LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
Date of Publication: June 10, 2008
TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS, AND PERSONS:
Notice is hereby given that on or about June 18, 2008 the City of Ames will submit a request to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Development Block Grant (Grant #B-08-MC-19-0010) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, and the 1990 Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act, as amended, to undertake the following projects:
(Activity 1 is exempt under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements.)
1. City of Ames Program Administration – payment of planning and administrative expenses for the CDBG program.
(Activities 2 through 3 are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements.)
2. Renter Affordability Programs- Citywide program to provide funds to low and moderate-income households to assist with deposits for rent and utilities, assistance with short-term child care and transportation assistance.
3. Homebuyer Assistance Program-City wide program to provide funds to low and moderate- income households to assist with the home purchase.
(Activities 4 through 6 are categorically excluded under HUD regulations subject to at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements.)
4. Neighborhood Curb Replacement Program- The Neighborhood Curb Replacement Program will target neighborhood Census Tracts that are designated as low and moderate-income (where at least 51% of the households have incomes at 80% or less of AMI) the objective will be the replacement of curbs and gutters that have deteriorated and are causing pre-mature pavement failure. The overall goal of the program is to preserve and enhance the viability and aesthetics of our core exisiting neighborhoods.
5. Human Service Campus Acquisition Project. The objective of this project is to acquire a facility that can become a central campus for a variety of human service agencies. The overall goal of the Human Service Campus is to provide a centeralized facility that emcompass improved efficiencies, improved delivery of services, improved public accessibility, and create the opportunity to eliminate the potential of duplicated services amongst the agencies so that very low, low and moderate income persons and households can gain improved accessibility to services that help support their basic human needs.
6. Neighborhood Sustainability Programs- The Neighborhood Sustainability Program includes the following subcomponent programs:
The program would continue to seek to acquire, demolish/remove, and rehabilitate single-family properties and/or lots for reuse for affordable housing to assist low- and moderate-income (80% or less of AMI) families. This program, where possible, will have a more comprehensive approach at targeting single-family properties as follows:
§ Converting single-family rental properties that are “for sale” back into single-family homeownership. Match, where possible, with eligible low-income (80%) first-time homebuyers through the Lease Purchase Program, and/or sale to Non-Profit Organizations.
§ Assist in code enforcements by acquiring, demolishing abandoned, deteriorated properties and then re-sell the lots to non-profit organizations and or for profit developers for affordable housing.
§ Acquire vacant lots and re-sell them to non-profit organizations and or for profit developers for affordable housing.
§ Concentrate, if possible, into targeted low-income census tracts.
§ Providing assistance for home repairs to single family homeowners.
The overall goal of the program is to increase the availability of housing to low income families and to maintain decent, safe, and sanitary housing stock in existing neighborhoods.
The City of Ames has prepared an Environmental Review Record (ERR) respecting the above-described project(s) for which the release of funds is being sought. The environmental review records are on file at Department of Planning & Housing, City of Ames, 515 Clark, Room 214, Ames, Iowa 50010, and are available for public examination and copying upon request between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday thorough Friday.
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Ames, Department of Planning and Housing, 515 Clark Avenue, Room 214, Ames, Iowa, 50010. The City of Ames prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds will consider all comments received on or before June 17, 2008 by the close of the business day.
RELEASE OF FUNDS
The City of Ames certifies to HUD that the City of Ames and Ann H. Campbell in his official 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. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Ames to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will not consider objections to the release of funds on bases other than those stated above. HUD will consider no objections received after July 3, 2008. For further information regarding this notice, please contact Vanessa Baker-Latimer at 239-5400.
2008-09 ERR Documents and Attachments:
2008 Environmental Review Record-click here
Administration and Management Activity-click here
Homebuyer Assistance Program-click here
Neighborhood Curb Replacement Program-click here
Neighborhood Home Improvement Program-click here
Renter Affordability Program-click here