AgdaPkt 2010-11-08 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

� 6.1 B Page 4 A. Environmental Requirements This Notice does not direct, provide for assistance or loan and mortgage insurance for, or otherwise govern or regulate, real property acquisition, disposition, leasing (other than tenant- based rental assistance), rehabilitation, alteration, demolition, or new construction, or establish, revise or provide for standards for construction or construction materials, manufactured housing, or occupancy. Accordingly, under 24 CFR 50.19(c}(1), this Notice is categorically excluded from environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321). Moreover, consistent with the provisions for administrative and management expenses, tenant- based rental assistance, and supportive services in 24 CFR 50.19(b)(3), (11), and (12), the eligible activities to be assisted under this Norice are categorically excluded from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321) and are not subject to environmental review under the related laws and authorities. B. Habitability Standards Organizations providing rental assistance with HPRP funds will be required to conduct initial and any appropriate follow-up inspections of housing units into which a program participant will be moving. Units should be inspected on an annual basis and upon a change of tenancy. The minimum habitability standards are listed in Appendix C. Grantees may require more stringent standards. C. Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Requirements As stated in section IV.E.8., grantees and subgrantees must comply with all applicable fair housing and civil rights requirements in 24 CFR 5.105(a). In addition, grantees must make lrnown that HPRP rental assistance and services are available to all on a nondiscriminatory basis and ensure that all citizens have equal access to information about HPRP and equal access to the financial assistance and services provided under this program. Among other things, this means that each grantee must take reasonable steps to ensure meaningful access to programs to persons with limited English proficiency (LEP), pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This may mean providing language assistance or ensuring that program information is available in the appropriate languages for the geographic area served by the jurisdiction and that limited English proficient persons have meaningful access to HPRP assistance. T'his will be a particular issue for state grantees that may not be aware of LEP speaking populations in jurisdictions that are not normally served with ESG funds. To assist grantees, the Department published the "Final Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons" (72 Federal Register 2732; January 22, 2007). In addition, all notices and communications shall be provided in a manner that is effecrive for persons with hearing, visual, and other communication related disabilities consistent with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and implementing regulations at 24 CFR 8.6. If the procedures that the grantee intends to use to make known the availability of the rental assistance and services are unlikely to reach persons of any particular race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, familial status, or disability who may qualify for such rental assistance and services, the grantee must establish additional procedures that will ensure that such persons are made aware of the rental assistance and services. D. Affirmatively Furthering Fair I3ousing Under section 808(e)(5) of the Fair Housing Act, HUD has a statutory duty to affirmatively further fair housing. HUD requires the same of its funding recipients. Grantees and sub-grantees will have a duty to affirmatively further fair housing opportunities for classes protected under the Fair Housing Act. Protected classes include race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and familial status. Examples of affirmatively furthering fair housing include: (1} marketing the pro�ram to all eligible persons, including persons with disabilities and persons with limited