The State College Borough will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and to the Department of Community and Economic Development for the release of HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, as amended.
The request will be made on or around Monday, April 29, to undertake the State College Borough Rental New Construction project. The project proposes the construction of a two-story, two-unit rental duplex, with an estimated total project cost of $1,068,193. The duplex would be located at 803-817 Old Boalsburg Road.
The $1,068,193 cost of the project consists of $418,000 in DCED HOME; $2,000 in HUD HOME; $248,193 in Borough Inclusionary Housing funding; $100,000 in Community Housing Development Organization proceeds; $100,000 in Centre County CASH funding; and $200,000 from the PA Housing Affordability Fund. An additional grant request was submitted to Centre County for $250,000 in 2022 Emergency Rental Assistance Program funding.
If these funds from Centre County are awarded, then the anticipated federal funds would be decreased from $248,193 to $184,000; the CCC funding of $100,000 would not be requested; and CHDO proceeds would be reduced by approximately $85,807. Regardless, the total project budget is expected to remain $1,068,193.
According to the borough, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 is not required, due to the project having no significant impact on the environment.
Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record on file at the State College Borough at 243 S. Allen St., and may be examined or copied weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The borough certified to HUD and DCED that Borough Manager Thomas J. Fountaine II 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 and DCED’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the borough to use funds.
Any individual, group or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the State College Borough office or through email at [email protected]. All comments received by Friday, April 26, will be considered by the borough prior to authorizing submission of a request for the release of funds.
HUD and DCED can object to the release of funds, as well as the borough’s certifications, for up to 15 days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request. Objections are allowed on the following criteria:
- The certification was not executed by the certifying officer of the borough.
- The borough has missed a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by federal regulations.
- The grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized or before approval of a release of funds by HUD and DCED.
- Another federal agency has submitted a written finding under federal regulation that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality.
