Professional planning services for the City of Findlay and Hancock County

                                       NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

January 27, 2025

William Bateson

Hancock County Commissioners

514 S Main Street

Findlay, OH 45840

419-424-7828

To All Interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals:

On or about, but not before, February 4, 2025 the Hancock County Commissioners will submit a request to the State of Ohio for the release of Federal funds under Section 104 (g) of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended; Section 288 of Title II of the Cranston Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act (NAHA), as amended; and/or Title IV of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, as amended; to be used for the following project(s):

Private Rehabilitation will use HOME funds in the amount of $435,000, as well as HOME program income from Hancock County in the amount of $29,718 for an estimated cost of $464,718. The project location is Hancock County, Ohio. This project is projected to rehabilitate six (6) privately owned homes within the county. The project will be a two-year project.

Home Repair will use Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in the amount of $210,000. The project location is Hancock County, Ohio.  The project is projected to repair at least seven  (7) homes within the county.  The project will be a two-year project.

Rental Home Repair will use Ohio Housing Trust Fund (OHTF) funds in the amount of $15,000. The project location is Hancock County, Ohio.  The project is projected to repair at least one (1) unit  within the county.  The project will be a two-year project.

The activities proposed are categorically excluded under U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (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 the project(s) is on file at Hancock Regional Planning Commission 318 Dorney Plaza Room 304 Findlay, OH 45840 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M to 4:30 P.M. The ERR may also be provided upon request electronically via email.  Please submit your request by U.S. mail to Hancock County Regional Planning Commission or by email to commissioners@co.hancock.oh.us

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Hancock County Commissioners by U.S. mail or email at the addresses above.  All comments received before February 4, 2025 will be considered by the Hancock County Commissioners prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The Hancock County Commissioners certifies to the State of Ohio that Michael Pepple in his capacity as President of County Commissioners 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 State of Ohio’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Hancock County Commissioners to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

The State of Ohio will accept objections to its release of funds and the Hancock County Commissioners 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 Hancock County Commissioners; (b) the Hancock County Commissioners 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 State of Ohio; 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 Ohio Department of Development, Office of Community Development at OCD@development.ohio.gov.  Potential objectors should contact the State of Ohio to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

William Bateson, President

Hancock County Commissioner                                                                                                                                                                                NOI/RROF 12-21