On or about March 19, 2025, Hamilton County Public Health will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Lead Hazard Reduction and Healthy Homes Supplemental funds under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, as amended, to undertake the following multi-year program/project: Hamilton County Public Health’s Lead Hazard Reduction Program, for the purpose of controlling lead-based paint hazards for single family homes built before 1978 in Hamilton County, OH (excluding the cities of Cincinnati, Norwood, and Springdale). The program includes conducting lead paint inspections, controlling lead paint hazards using interim and lead abatement methods, and performing healthy homes work on 94 housing units. Hamilton County Public Health is requesting the release of $3,500,000 in federal funds, with $300,000 in match funds.
The proposed lead hazard control and healthy homes activities to be funded under this program are categorically excluded from the National Environmental Policy Act requirements, but subject to compliance with some of the environmental laws and authorities listed at § 58.5 of 24 CFR Part 58. In accordance with §58.15, a tiered review process has been structured, whereby some environmental laws and authorities have been reviewed and studied for the intended target area(s) listed above. Compliance with other applicable environmental laws and authorities will be met when individual projects are reviewed, i.e., Flood Insurance, Historic Preservation, Contamination/Toxics. Should individual aggregate projects exceed the threshold for categorical exclusion detailed at §58.35(a), an Environmental Assessment will be completed and a separate Finding of No Significant Impact and Request for Release of Funds published. Copies of the compliance documentation worksheets are available at the address below.
An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at Hamilton County Public Health, 250 William Howard Taft Rd., 2nd floor, Cincinnati, OH 45219 and/or hcph.leadhazardreduction@hamilton-co.org and may be examined or copied weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Hamilton County Public Health, Lead Hazard Reduction Program. All comments received by March 18, 2025, will be considered by Hamilton County Public Health prior to authorizing submission of a Request for Release of Funds and Environmental Certification to HUD.
RELEASE OF FUNDS
Hamilton County Public Health certifies to HUD that Greg Kesterman, in his official capacity as Health Commissioner, 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 Hamilton County Public Health to utilize federal funds and implement the Program.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will consider objections to its release of funds and Hamilton County Public Health certification for a period of fifteen days following either the anticipated submission date (cited above) or HUD’s actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if the objections are on one of the following bases: (a) that the Certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of Hamilton County Public Health (b) Hamilton County Public Health has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) Hamilton County Public Health has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; (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 may be addressed to HUD and sent to the email address: OLHCHHPECOS@hud.gov
