News · January 26, 2026
Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds for Tiered Projects and Programs
Date of Notice: January 26, 2026Responsible Entity: City of PottsvilleAddress: 401 North Centre Street, Pottsville, PA 17901Telephone: 570-628-4417
On or after February 3, 2026, the City of Pottsville will submit a request to the PA Dept. of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for the release of Community Development Block grant (CDBG) funds under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-383) (Act), as amended, and Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) funds under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, as amended, to undertake the following project:
Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: Housing Rehabilitation Program
Purpose: The program will extend the useful life, expand the supply, and improve the conditions of affordable housing for income qualifying households in the City of Pottsville.
Location: City-wide, City of Pottsville, PA.
Project/Program Description: The project proposes the rehabilitation of owner-occupied homes within the City of Pottsville, PA. Generally, rehabilitation will address health, safety, and code violations. Energy efficiencies and other necessary improvements to the home's major systems (e.g. roofing, heating, electricity, and plumbing) ensure useful life and accessibility modifications are made to ensure there is a minimum of five (5) years remaining life on all major systems. Lead-based paint and radon gas hazards will also be addressed. Asbestos remediation, if necessary, will be conducted. Prior to rehabilitation, each house will be inspected to determine the improvements that are necessary, and work specifications will be developed according to DCED's Rehabilitation Guidebook, with input from HUD's Green Building Checklist. Rehabilitation activities may include interior and exterior improvements to components of the existing structure and facilities including roofs, gutters, doors, windows, walls, ceilings, porches, facades, sidewalks, parking areas, driveways, chimneys, building foundations, landscaping, electrical systems, heating systems, HVAC, water and sewer lines, elevators, plumbing, flooring, fixtures, cabinets and appliances, safety and security devices and equipment, other interior elements, asbestos testing and/or mitigation, radon testing and/or mitigation, lead testing and/or mitigation, and ADA improvements. All work will take place at previously disturbed sites with existing structures. Project activities will not involve new construction, conversion, expansion, or increases in residential density.
Tier 2 Site Specific Reviews will be completed for those laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 Broad Review for each address under this program when addresses become known.
Level of Environmental Review Citation: 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3)(i)
Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site-specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 Broad Review: Flood Insurance, Contamination and Toxic Substances, Floodplain Management, and Historic Preservation.
Estimated CDBG Funding: FY 2021 $101,150.41.MEstimated HOME Funding: FY 2025 $400,000.00.Estimated Total Project Cost: $501,150.41.
The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements per 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3)(i). An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the City of Pottsville City Hall, 401 North Centre Street, Pottsville, PA 17901 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:00 A.M to 4:00 P.M.
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Lisa Shuman, Acting City Administrator, 401 North Centre Street, Pottsville, PA 17901 or by email to cityadministrator@pottsvillepa.gov . All comments received by February 2, 2026, will be considered by the City prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
The City of Pottsville certifies to DCED that Thomas B. Smith, 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. DCED's approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City to use program funds.
DCED will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Pottsville'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:
• the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Pottsville;
• the City of Pottsville has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58;
• the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by DCED; or
• 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 via email in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development at chrhowe@pa.gov . Potential objectors should contact DCED to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Thomas B. Smith, Mayor