US Department of Housing and Urban Development has released a memorandum which clarifies existing agency policy on rehabilitation of existing buildings that changes the original land use. New land uses resulting from rehabilitation may be considered new noise-sensitive uses as if they were new construction. If those new uses are in Unacceptably noise-exposed areas (external noise greater than 75 decibels), an Environmental Impact Statement is required.
Click here for more information on Caltha's Environmental Review services, including Environmental Assessments completed for HUD funded projects
Showing posts with label HUD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HUD. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
HUD Section 50 Section 58 Environmental Review & Environmental Assessment
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires environmental reviews for housing projects to be completed prior to approval of financial assistance. The objective of the review process is to ensure that due diligence has been undertaken in identifying potential impacts, including both environmental and non-environmental impacts, associated with projects that use HUD funds. An Environmental Review required by HUD is not equivalent to a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment.
The HUD Environmental Review process is driven by two regulations: 24 CFR Part 50 and 24 CFR Part 58. Part 50 pertains to the Department of Housing and Urban Development and those entities that have legal responsibilities to the Secretary of the Interior. In most cases this is HUD itself and state/city housing authorities. Part 58 pertains to those entities that do not have legal responsibilities to the Secretary (e.g., community housing and “faith-based” organizations).
The level or extent of the HUD Environmental Review is dependant on the type of proposed work, the number of units, or a percentage of total area can be a threshold. Under both Part 50 and Part 58, exemptions, categorical exclusions, documented categorical exclusions exist.
The HUD Environmental Review process is driven by two regulations: 24 CFR Part 50 and 24 CFR Part 58. Part 50 pertains to the Department of Housing and Urban Development and those entities that have legal responsibilities to the Secretary of the Interior. In most cases this is HUD itself and state/city housing authorities. Part 58 pertains to those entities that do not have legal responsibilities to the Secretary (e.g., community housing and “faith-based” organizations).
The level or extent of the HUD Environmental Review is dependant on the type of proposed work, the number of units, or a percentage of total area can be a threshold. Under both Part 50 and Part 58, exemptions, categorical exclusions, documented categorical exclusions exist.
Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public sector and non-profit sector clients around the county to address HUD Environmental Review and HUD Environmental Assessment requirements.
Caltha Environmental Review Website
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Energy Star Qualified Building - New EPA Guidelines
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced new, more rigorous guidelines for new homes that earn the Energy Star label. Compared to the current Energy Star guidelines, the new requirements will make qualified new homes at least 20 percent more efficient than homes built to the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). These guidelines will go into effect in January 2011, although some builders may choose to adopt the new requirements earlier.
Key elements of the new guidelines for Energy Star qualified homes include:
Key elements of the new guidelines for Energy Star qualified homes include:
- A Complete Thermal Enclosure System: Comprehensive air sealing, properly insulated assemblies and high-performance windows enhance comfort, improve durability and reduce utility bills.
- Quality Installed Complete Heating and Cooling Systems: High-efficiency heating and cooling systems engineered to deliver more comfort, moisture control and quiet operation, and equipped with fresh-air ventilation to improve air quality.
- A Complete Water Management System: Because Energy Star homes offer a tightly-sealed and insulated building envelope, a comprehensive package of flashing, moisture barriers, and heavy-duty membrane details is critical to help keep water from roofs, walls, and foundations for improved durability and indoor air quality.
- Efficient Lighting and Appliances: Look for Energy Star qualified lighting, appliances and fans helping to further reduce monthly utility bills and provide high-quality performance.
- Third-Party Verification: Energy Star qualified homes require verification by independent Home Energy Raters who conduct a comprehensive series of detailed inspections and use specialized diagnostic equipment to test system performance.
Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.
Caltha Environmental Review Website
Monday, January 4, 2010
Expansion of Lead Paint Rules - 2008 Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule
EPA has issued a proposed rule to expand the coverage of the 2008 Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. The new rule proposes to eliminate a provision that exempted some housing from the rule’s requirement that contractors be trained and certified and use lead-safe work practices when renovating, repairing or painting a pre-1978 home.
The federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. However, if a home was built before 1978, it has a higher likelihood of containing lead-based paint. The 2008 rule requires contractors working in pre-1978 housing where children under six or pregnant women reside to take the proper precautions to work lead-safe, including minimizing the dust, containing the work area, and conducting a thorough cleanup to reduce the potential exposure associated with disturbing lead-based paint. The proposed rule would expand such requirements to cover most pre-1978 homes.
EPA expects to finalize the rule by April 2010.
The federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978. However, if a home was built before 1978, it has a higher likelihood of containing lead-based paint. The 2008 rule requires contractors working in pre-1978 housing where children under six or pregnant women reside to take the proper precautions to work lead-safe, including minimizing the dust, containing the work area, and conducting a thorough cleanup to reduce the potential exposure associated with disturbing lead-based paint. The proposed rule would expand such requirements to cover most pre-1978 homes.
EPA expects to finalize the rule by April 2010.
Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.
Caltha Environmental Review Website
Monday, December 14, 2009
US HUD Mandatory Vapor Intrusion Screening - ASTM E 2600
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Multifamily Housing has adopted Tier 1 vapor intrusion (VI) screens (the first of four tiers) under ASTM E 2600 as a mandatory component of Phase I environmental site assessments conducted under the agency's MAP (Multifamily Accelerated Processing) Guide. MAP is the procedure used by hundreds of MAP-approved lenders and HUD field offices throughout the country to process loan applications for Federal Housing Administration multifamily mortgage insurance.
Under the revised policy, a HUD Phase I ESA must include an initial vapor intrusion screen to determine if there is a potential for vapors to occur in the subsurface below existing and/or proposed on-site structures from those hazardous substances, petroleum and petroleum products that consist of VOCs, SVOCs and inorganic volatile compounds.
HUD is one of two Federal lending agencies that that prescribe additional mandatory requirements to a Phase I ESA. The Small Business Administration also has additional enviornmental review requirements for participation in its lending programs.
SBA Environmental Review / RSRA / Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Requirements
Caltha LLP assists prospective Buyers and their Lenders in meeting Due Diligence, Environmental Site Assessment and Environmental Review requirements. To request a quote on-line, go to Caltha Environmental Assessment Quote Web Page.
Caltha Environmental Review Website
Monday, November 30, 2009
Housing & Urban Development Environmental Review
For a single family home that is being demolished and rebuilt, what type of environmental review will be required under Neighborhood Stabilization Program?
According to the Housing & Urban Development (HUD) , the level of environmental review required depends upon the program design and project description. The responsible entity needs to consider the use of the categorical exclusion:
§58.35 Categorical exclusions.
Categorical exclusion refers to a category of activities for which no environmental impact statement or environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact under NEPA is required, except in extraordinary circumstances (see §58.2(a)(3)) in which a normally excluded activity may have a significant impact. Compliance with the other applicable Federal environmental laws and authorities listed in §58.5 is required for any categorical exclusion listed in paragraph (a) of this section.
(a) Categorical exclusions subject to §58.5. The following activities are categorically excluded under NEPA, but may be subject to review under authorities listed in §58.5:
(4)(i) An individual action on up to four dwelling units where there is a maximum of four units on any one site. The units can be four one-unit buildings or one four-unit building or any combination in between; or
(ii) An individual action on a project of five or more housing units developed on scattered sites when the sites are more than 2,000 feet apart and there are not more than four housing units on any one site.
(iii) Paragraphs (a)(4)(i) and (ii) of this section do not apply to rehabilitation of a building for residential use (with one to four units) (see paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section).
“Individual action” as used in §58.35(a) refers to an individual approval action about the particular dwelling unit(s) and may include new construction, demolition, and/or reconstruction (demolition and new construction). However, note that this categorical exclusion does not apply to rehabilitation of a building for residential use.
A responsible entity (RE) may apply the categorical exclusion at §58.35(a) on an individual application basis, allowing the RE to use this categorical exclusion when an individual applicant is submitting an application for construction, demolition and/or reconstruction of dwelling units. If the RE designs a program where individual applicants will be submitting applications for new construction of up to four dwelling units, then each individual application may be considered to be categorically excluded per §58.35(a)(4)(i). If the RE designs a program where individual applicants will be submitting applications for a project of five more housing units on scattered sites when the sites are more than 2,000 feet apart and there are not more than four housing units on any one site, then each individual application may be considered to be categorically excluded per §58.35(a)(4)(ii).
If the Neighborhood Stabilization Program is clearly designed and intended to develop a specific block/neighborhood or other limited geographic area, then an environmental assessment for the program/area will be required.
According to the Housing & Urban Development (HUD) , the level of environmental review required depends upon the program design and project description. The responsible entity needs to consider the use of the categorical exclusion:
§58.35 Categorical exclusions.
Categorical exclusion refers to a category of activities for which no environmental impact statement or environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact under NEPA is required, except in extraordinary circumstances (see §58.2(a)(3)) in which a normally excluded activity may have a significant impact. Compliance with the other applicable Federal environmental laws and authorities listed in §58.5 is required for any categorical exclusion listed in paragraph (a) of this section.
(a) Categorical exclusions subject to §58.5. The following activities are categorically excluded under NEPA, but may be subject to review under authorities listed in §58.5:
(4)(i) An individual action on up to four dwelling units where there is a maximum of four units on any one site. The units can be four one-unit buildings or one four-unit building or any combination in between; or
(ii) An individual action on a project of five or more housing units developed on scattered sites when the sites are more than 2,000 feet apart and there are not more than four housing units on any one site.
(iii) Paragraphs (a)(4)(i) and (ii) of this section do not apply to rehabilitation of a building for residential use (with one to four units) (see paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section).
“Individual action” as used in §58.35(a) refers to an individual approval action about the particular dwelling unit(s) and may include new construction, demolition, and/or reconstruction (demolition and new construction). However, note that this categorical exclusion does not apply to rehabilitation of a building for residential use.
A responsible entity (RE) may apply the categorical exclusion at §58.35(a) on an individual application basis, allowing the RE to use this categorical exclusion when an individual applicant is submitting an application for construction, demolition and/or reconstruction of dwelling units. If the RE designs a program where individual applicants will be submitting applications for new construction of up to four dwelling units, then each individual application may be considered to be categorically excluded per §58.35(a)(4)(i). If the RE designs a program where individual applicants will be submitting applications for a project of five more housing units on scattered sites when the sites are more than 2,000 feet apart and there are not more than four housing units on any one site, then each individual application may be considered to be categorically excluded per §58.35(a)(4)(ii).
If the Neighborhood Stabilization Program is clearly designed and intended to develop a specific block/neighborhood or other limited geographic area, then an environmental assessment for the program/area will be required.
Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.
Caltha Environmental Review Website
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)