NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS FOR TIERED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS -Date of Publication: December 2, 2025 City of Rochester Department of Neighborhood and Business Development 30 State Street, Rm. 224B Rochester, NY 14614 (585) 428-7816 On or after December 10, 2025 the City of Rochester will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of CDBG and HOME funds under Title 24 CFR Part 58 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, to undertake the following projects: Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: 2025-01-Business Development Financial Assistance Program- Rehab only Purpose: The program provides economic and workforce development. Location: Various addresses, city-wide. Specific addresses will be assessed in the site-specific reviews. Project/Program Description: The program provides loans, grants, grant-to-loans/loans-to-grants and interest rate subsidies to city businesses or businesses relocating to the City, or that are expanding and creating jobs. The maximum scope of construction activities covered under this tier 1 review would be minor rehab. Funding can be used for purchase and renovation (interior and exterior) of real estate, purchase of machinery and equipment (including security equipment), predevelopment services including environmental testing, feasibility & planning studies and architectural assistance, and working capital including payroll, insurance, utilities, lease/mortgage, inventory, supplies, architectural and accounting services. The scope of projects covered under this review will only include a maximum environmental impact up to and including rehab of existing non-residential facilities through which building footprint will not be expanded, size or capacity will not be changed by more than 20 percent, and will not involve a change in land use, such as from non-residential to residential, commercial to industrial, or from one industrial use to another. Projects beyond this scope will not be covered by this tiered review and will be subject to an individual environmental review. Level of Environmental Review Citation: Categorically Excluded Subject to 58.5, per 24 CFR 58.35(a)(3)(iii) - Rehab of non-residential structures Estimated Project Cost: $1,514,192 Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: 2025-09-Demolition Program 2025-26 Purpose: The program will help eliminate slum/blighting influences through the demolition of dilapidated structures. Location: Various addresses, city-wide. Specific addresses will be assessed in the site-specific reviews. Project/Program Description: Funds will be used for demolition of residential, industrial and/or commercial properties. Includes implementation of a Clean Demo Strategy, which requires the removal of all subsurface concrete structures and utilizes clean virgin soil for backfill, focused on targeted areas of past and future development. The scope of projects covered under this tier 1 review will only include a maximum environmental impact up to and including demolition of 1-4 unit residential buildings with no replacement structure yet planned. Projects beyond this scope will be subject to a standalone environmental review. Level of Environmental Review Citation: Categorically Excluded Subject to 58.5, per 24 CFR 58.35(a)(4)(i), demolition of 1-4 unit residential structures Estimated Project Cost: $1,740,737.74 Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: 2025-10-Lead Hazard Control Program 2025-26 Purpose: The program will improve the quality of housing stock through the mitigation of lead hazards. Location: Various addresses, city-wide. Specific addresses will be assessed in the site-specific reviews. Project/Program Description: Funds will be used for rehab costs to mitigate lead hazards in residential units. The scope of projects covered under this tier 1 review will only include a maximum environmental impact up to and including rehab of existing 1-4 unit residential buildings through which the density is not increased beyond four units, the land use is not changed, and the footprint of the building is not increased in a floodplain or in a wetland. Projects beyond this scope will not be covered by this tiered review and will be subject to a standalone environmental review. Level of Environmental Review Citation: Categorically Excluded Subject to 58.5, per 24 CFR 58.35(a)(3)(i) - Rehab Estimated Project Cost: $883,007.80 Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: 2025-11-Owner-Occupant Housing Rehabilitation Program 2025-26 Purpose: The program will improve the quality of housing stock through the rehabilitation of residential properties. Location: Various addresses, city-wide. Specific addresses will be assessed in the site-specific reviews. Project/Program Description: This program will provide financial assistance for rehabilitation to eligible property owners to address blight and hazards. The funds will be distributed to address a variety of efforts including: to enhance targeted areas of development, to address city-wide blight and to address health and safety hazards. The scope of projects covered under this tier 1 review will only include a maximum environmental impact up to and including rehab of existing 1-4 unit residential buildings through which the density is not increased beyond four units, the land use is not changed, and the footprint of the building is not increased in a floodplain or in a wetland. Projects beyond this scope will not be covered by this tiered review and will be subject to a standalone environmental review. Level of Environmental Review Citation: Categorically Excluded Subject to 58.5, per 24 CFR 58.35(a)(3)(i) - Rehab of 1-4 Unit Residential Structures Estimated Project Cost: $1,992,332.39 Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: 2025-12-Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) 2025-26 Purpose: The program will improve the quality of housing stock by addressing homeowners' emergency repairs Location: Various addresses, city-wide. Specific addresses will be assessed in the site-specific reviews. Project/Program Description: This program will provide financial assistance to address emergencies including repair or replacement of heating systems and/or hot water tanks and/or interior plumbing for income-eligible owner-occupants.The scope of projects covered under this tier 1 review will only include a maximum environmental impact up to and including rehab of existing 1-4 unit residential buildings through which the density is not increased beyond four units, the land use is not changed, and the footprint of the building is not increased in a floodplain or in a wetland. Projects beyond this scope will not be covered by this tiered review and will be subject to a standalone environmental review. Level of Environmental Review Citation: Categorically Excluded Subject to 58.5, per 24 CFR 58.35(a)(3)(i) - Rehab of 1-4 Unit Residential Structures Estimated Project Cost: $208,904.20 Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: 2025-13-Energy Efficiency Upgrades Program 2025-26 Purpose: The program will improve the quality of housing stock by supporting energy efficiency upgrades Location: Various addresses, city-wide. Specific addresses will be assessed in the site-specific reviews. Project/Program Description: The program will subsidize the use of energy efficiency and electrification building components, to demonstrate their effectiveness and promote their continued uptake by the development and contracting community. Specific projects and properties will be eligible for a reimbursement subsidy payment for the installation of specific types of sustainability items in 1-4 unit residential properties. The scope of projects covered under this tier 1 review will only include a maximum environmental impact up to and including rehab of existing 1-4 unit residential buildings through which the density is not increased beyond four units, the land use is not changed, and the footprint of the building is not increased in a floodplain or in a wetland. Projects beyond this scope will not be covered by this tiered review and will be subject to a standalone environmental review. Level of Environmental Review Citation: Categorically Excluded Subject to 58.5, per 24 CFR 58.35(a)(3)(i) - Rehab of 1-4 Unit Residential Structures Estimated Project Cost: $500,000 Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: 2025-25-Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) 2025-26 Purpose: The program will increase the supply of affordable housing. Location: Various addresses, city-wide. Specific addresses will be assessed in the site-specific reviews. Project/Program Description: The HOME Rochester program will rehabilitate vacant 1-4 unit structures to be appropriate for sale to low-income first-time home buyers at no more than 95% of the Median Sales Price for the Rochester MSA. Each property is surveyed for lead paint, asbestos, and other hazardous materials, and a complete scope of work is produced, to ensure that mechanicals as well as other safety, security, and health issues are addressed. In addition, many cosmetic improvements are made. If the roof, furnace, or other significant mechanicals are in the house prior to renovation but are well within their useful life, they will be repaired and retained rather than replaced. All work is completed by licensed contractors, and regularly overseen by a City inspector during construction. Possible work scope can also include improvement or repair of driveway, siding, shed/garage, and landscaping. All properties are 1-4 unit structures on single parcels within the City of Rochester. At this time the addresses are not known. The property is purchased and held by the CHDO (the Rochester Housing Development Fund Corporation) until the construction is complete and the home is sold to the new owner- occupant. Properties are typically vacant and blighted structures purchased through the City's Tax Foreclosure Auction, available through the Rochester Land Bank or local lenders' REO listings, the City's agreement with HUD through the ACA agreement, and in some cases on the private market. Funding sources in addition to CHDO funds can include the purchase mortgage by the buyer, New York State assistance, foundation assistance, and City dollars. The scope of projects covered under this tier 1 review will only include a maximum environmental impact up to and including rehab of existing 1-4 unit residential buildings through which the density is not increased beyond four units, the land use is not changed, and the footprint of the building is not increased in a floodplain or in a wetland. Projects beyond this scope will not be covered by this tiered review and will be subject to a standalone environmental review. Level of Environmental Review Citation: Categorically Excluded Subject to 58.5, per 24 CFR 58.35(a)(3)(i) - Rehab of 1-4 Unit Residential Structures Estimated Project Cost: $698,576 Tier 2 site specific reviews will be completed for each of the above programs for those laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad reviews for each address under this program when addresses become known, before funding is obligated. Tier 1 Broad Reviews: Due to the well-defined scope outlined for each program, 11 of the 16 review factors required under 24 CFR 58.5 and 58.6 can be completed during the Tier 1 review. The remaining five review factors are only possible to complete once a proposed project site is identified. Tier 2 Site Specific Reviews: The site specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad reviews: Airport Hazards 24 CFR Part 51 Subpart 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] Historic Preservation [36 CFR Part 800]; Floodplain Management [24 CFR 55, Executive Order 11988]; and Toxic Chemicals and Radioactive Materials [24 CFR 58.5(i)(2)]. Mitigation Measures/Conditions/Permits (if any): Each program covered under the tier 1 reviews described above will utilize a tier 2 site-specific environmental review checklist document to ensure staff complete a full review for the remaining laws and authorities for each project site once they are identified. Maps and other attachments are required to certify compliance. The full environmental review record is then uploaded to the City's financial system as well as to HUD's HEROS system. This review must be completed and uploaded before funds can be obligated for a site-specific project. If the scope of the site-specific project does not conform to the scope of the program that was outlined in the tier 1 review, the project will not be covered under this tier 1 review and must complete must complete a standalone (non-tiered) review. If the tier 2 review identifies lead paint or asbestos hazards, the project must incorporate standard mitigation measures into the project scope and enforced via any contracts, etc. If the tier 2 review identifies other areas that are potentially non-compliant with the NEPA laws and regulations, the project will not be covered under this tier 1 review and must complete a standalone (non-tiered) review. Airport Hazards During the tier 2 site specific review staff will check the address on an online interactive map to determine whether project site is located inside the Airport Clear Zone/Runway Protection Zone of the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport. If it is not, the project complies with this review factor. A printout of the map(s) will be attached for documentation. If located in the Clear Zone/Runway Protection Zone, staff will confirm whether the project involves the purchase or sale of property. If not, it complies with this review factor. If so, staff will provide the prospective buyer with an official notice in accordance with 24 CFR § 51.303 (a)(3) that outlines what the implications of such a location are, and that there is a possibility that the property may, at a later date, be acquired by the airport operator. The buyer must sign a statement acknowledging receipt of this information. The notice and signed statement will be attached for documentation. Staff will then confirm that each project does not involve new construction or rehab that would substantially prolong the physical or economic life of the facility, increase the density or number of people living at the site, or introduce new explosive, flammable or toxic materials to the area. If any of these factors are involved in the prospective project, it must complete with its own standalone environmental review not covered under the tier 1 review. Flood Insurance During the tier 2 review, for any project that involves mortgage insurance, refinance, acquisition, repairs, construction, or rehabilitation of a structure, mobile home, or insurable personal property, staff will check each prospective site address in an online interactive map that includes official FEMA flood hazard boundaries and attach a printout as documentation. If a property is located in the Special Flood Hazard Area, the purchase of flood insurance is mandatory. This refers to any parcel located in a 100 Year Floodway (1% Annual Chance) zone. If the federal funding assistance is a grant, flood insurance must be maintained for the life of the property. If the federal funds assistance is a loan (except for loans less than $5,000 and repaid within 1 year), flood insurance must be maintained for the life of the loan. If applicable, staff will attach documentation of the enforcement of this requirement. Contamination and Toxic Substances During tier 2 site specific reviews, each location will be reviewed for the presence of the following substances. Projects that do not involve rehab or demolition are exempt from review for lead and asbestos. Lead (only buildings built before 1978): If the building is mixed residential/commercial use, a certified individual will conduct a visual inspection to determine the existence of lead-based paint and whether it will be disturbed. For commercial only rehab projects, lead testing is not required if intended occupants will not include children. For residential only projects, a lead dust wipe test will be conducted before and after the rehab and a clearance report will be required. Asbestos: A certified individual will conduct an asbestos survey to determine whether ACM will be disturbed as part of the proposed rehab. If ACM is suspected and will be disturbed the use of a licensed, certified contractor will be required to undertake the project, and inspection/testing will be required after the work is complete to certify the site is cleared of this hazard. Radon (only buildings occupied or intended to be occupied at least 4 hours/day): Per the allowable method of "Review of Science-Based Data" City staff compiled the most recent available 10 years of data from the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) Environmental Public Health Tracking Network Data Explorer. Because the average radon level is below the 4 pCi/L threshold, this satisfies the review requirement for radon in the site-specific tier 2 reviews.Other Substances: Each project site will be reviewed using interactive online mapping tools that include official live updating datasets from EPA, NYS DEC, and City of Rochester for potential sources of contamination that could impact the project site. This includes, but is not limited to, proximity to EPA superfund sites, NYS DEC superfund and brownfield sites, dumps, junk yards, landfills, hazardous waste sites, known or suspected spill incidents, historical high-risk uses at the site, and properties known to have undergone environmental cleanups with potential residual contamination. If known or suspected hazards are found, staff will further confirm whether they pose a risk to current and future persons at the site. If risk is identified, the project will be excluded from this tiered programmatic review and a standalone (non-tiered) environmental review must be conducted. Documentation of these review measures will be attached to the Tier 2 Environmental Review Record. Documentation of compliance with any required lead paint and asbestos mitigation and remediation will be maintained in the project files. Floodplain Management During the tier 2 site specific review, each proposed project site will be reviewed to determine if it is located within a floodplain in an online interactive map that includes official FEMA flood boundaries. A printout of the map will be attached as documentation. If the proposed project site is located in a 100- or 500-yr floodplain, staff will initiate and document the modified 5-Step process before the project may commence. The 8-step process is not required because all projects will meet the exceptions in 24 CFR § 55.12 (a) as the programs are limited to only include demolition and rehab of existing structures that don't rise to the level of substantial rehab. If the project occurs in a floodway HUD funds may not be used in the project. Historic Preservation During the tier 2 site specific review, each address site will be considered as to their its potential for historic importance, including but not limited to age of building constructed prior to 1975, listing on the City's Designated Building of Historic Value list, or location within a City of Rochester Preservation District. Sites with historical importance will require consultation with NYS SHPO unless the scope of the project is limited to activities exempt from SHPO consultation per the 2022 HUD & NYS SHPO Programmatic Agreement. Documentation SHPO consultation or conformity with the 2022 Programmatic Agreement will be attached to the review record. If SHPO determines the project will to have an Adverse Impact, requires additional mitigation, the project will not be covered by this tiered review. Staff will complete a standalone (non-tiered) environmental review. The activity/activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements per the citation listed above: Categorically Excluded Subject to 58.5, per 24 CFR 58.35(a)(3)(iii) - Rehab of non-residential structures; Categorically Excluded Subject to 58.5, per 24 CFR 58.35(a)(4)(i) - Demolition of 1-4 unit structures; and Categorically Excluded Subject to 58.5, per 24 CFR 58.35(a)(3)(i)(ii) - Rehab of 1-4 unit residential structures. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for each project is on file at Department of Neighborhood and Business Development, 30 Church Street, Rm. 224B, Rochester, NY 14614 and may be examined or copied weekdays 9:00A.M to 5:00P.M. The EER may also be accessed online at https://www.cityofrochester.gov/ConsolidatedPlan2020/ or in HEROS at https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/environmental-review/environmental-review- records/.PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development All comments received by December 10, 2025 will be considered by the City of Rochester prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The City of Rochester certifies to HUD that Mayor Malik D. Evans, 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. HUD's approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Rochester to use HUD program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of Rochester'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 Rochester; (b) the City of Rochester 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, incurredcosts or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; 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 HUD Community Planning and Development at the Buffalo Field Office, Jill M. Casey, CPD Director, Buffalo Field Office; 300 Pearl Street, Suite 301, Buffalo, NY 14202 Potential objectors should contact HUD Community Planning and Development at the Buffalo Field Office via email at CPDRROFBUF@hud.gov to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Malik D. Evans, Mayor, Certifying Officer 4115704 12-2-1t