By Mayor Eddie Moran, City of Reading
On or about July 22, 2025, the City of Reading will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake the following projects:
- Tier 1 Broad Review Project Title: CDBG PY 2024 to PY 2028: CDBG Acquisition Rehab Resale/Rental Program ERR (The City did not complete any activities for this program in PY 2024): This project will extend from Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2028, and will consist of the following projects/activities: (FY 2025 CDBG Project: Acquisition Rehab Resale/Rental Program)
- Purpose: To provide safe, affordable housing through acquisition, rehab, resale/rental within the City of Reading.
- Location: Available city-wide in qualified locations, with exact locations to be determined in the site-specific reviews.
- Project Description: This is a multi-year project extending from 2024 to 2028 for the above-listed projects funded through the CDBG program. No funds were spent in FY 2024. A total of $1,000,000 in CDBG funds is allocated across PY 2024 through 2028 to advance affordable housing goals through acquisition, rehab, resale/rental within the City of Reading. 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 from 2024/2025 through 2028, with PY 2025 funding allocated at $250,000.
- Level of Environmental Review Citation: The activities listed immediately above are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58, Section 58.35(a)(3)(i) and 58.35(a)(5) from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements.
- Mitigation Measures/Conditions/Permits (if any): None known at this time.
- Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site-specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review: Airport Hazards, Flood Insurance/Floodplain Management, Contamination and Toxic Substances, Explosive/Flammable/Hazardous Substances, Historic Preservation, and Wetlands.
- Estimated Project Cost: $250,000 in PY 2025. It is anticipated that the City will continue to fund this same program in PYs 2025 to 2028 at an estimated cost of $250,000 per program year. Total estimated project cost for PYs 2024 to 2028: $1,000,000. The actual annual amount will be identified in the annual Action Plan.
The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the City of Reading, Reading City Hall, Community Development Department, 815 Washington St., Reading, PA, and may be examined or copied weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The review is available electronically for public examination, upon request, to Neil Nemeth at neil.nemeth@readingpa.gov. Publish as a Legal Ad on July 3, 2025.
Public comments
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Reading, Reading City Hall, Community Development Department, 815 Washington St., Reading, PA 19601, (610) 655-6423. All comments received by July 21, 2025, will be considered by the City of Reading prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.
Environmental certification
The City of Reading certifies to HUD that Eddie Moran, 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 Reading to use Program funds.
Objections to release funds
HUD will consider objections to its release of funds and the City of Reading’s certification for a period of 15 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 or other officer of the City of Reading.
- (b) The City of Reading has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulation at 24 CFR Part 58.
- (c) 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 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 the Philadelphia Office of Community Planning and Development at CPDRROFPHI@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD/State to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
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