PDR_FR_6900_N_29R_FONSI_FINAL.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

WASHINGTON, DC 20410-5000

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR

POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH

MEMORANDUM FOR: Todd Richardson, General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research

FROM: Peter Kahn, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Policy Development

SUBJECT: Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the Notice of Funding Opportunity for Addressing the Housing Affordability Crisis Research Grant Program (FR-6900-N-29R)

It is the finding of this Office that the subject Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) does not constitute a major Federal action having an individually or cumulatively significant effect on the human environment and, therefore, does not require the preparation of an environmental impact statement.

This NOFO announces the availability of $10 million in FY 2024 and FY 2025 funding to support research projects that will build knowledge and advance policy solutions related to the following five research categories: (1) Government-induced Demand and Housing Affordability,

(2) Immigration and Housing Affordability, (2) the Financialization of Housing and Housing Affordability, (4) Economic Opportunity Cost and Housing Affordability, and (5) Opportunity Zones. The funds will be awarded to 5 to 40 awardees on a competitive basis. Eligible applicants for this funding opportunity include institutions of higher education, nonprofit, and for-profit institutions.

The research program is authorized by Sections 501 and 502 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 (12 U.S.C. §1701z-1 and §1701z-2) and funding is provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-42, approved March 9, 2024) and the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (Public Law 119-4, approved March 15, 2025).

This NOFO does not direct or provide loans or mortgage insurance for real property acquisition, disposition, rehabilitation, alteration, demolition, or new construction, or establish, revise or provide for standards for construction or construction materials, manufactured housing, or occupancy. Lease or rental of space for any activities supported through this NOFO is an www.hud.gov espanol.hud.gov http://www.hud.gov/ http://espanol.hud.gov/ eligible use of administrative funds, but only under the following conditions:

1) The lease must be for existing facilities not requiring rehabilitation or construction except for minimal alterations to make the facilities accessible for a person with disabilities;

2) No repairs or renovations of the property may be undertaken with funds from this NOFO; and

3) Properties in the Coastal Barrier Resources System designated under the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (16 U.S.C. 3501) cannot be leased or rented with federal funds.

All activities funded under this NOFO are categorically excluded from review under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance with 24 CFR 50.19(b)(1) and (b)(3), because they lack the potential for any significant effect on the environment.

Accordingly, the Office of Policy Development and Research finds the issuance of this NOFO will not create any significant environmental impacts and will not result in significant impacts on the human environment. Therefore, a Finding of No Significant Impact is hereby made.

Concurrences:

Date:

Peter H. Huber Departmental Environmental Clearance Officer

Office of Environment and Energy, CPD

Date:

Christopher H. Hartenau

Environmental Clearance Officer

Office of General Counsel

Approval:

Date:

Todd M. Richardson General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research

Internal HUD Distribution:

Identification Lines:

Correspondence Code

Originator Concurrence Concurrence Concurrence Concurrence Concurrence

Name Anne Fletcher Peter Huber Christopher Hartneau

Peter Kahn Todd Richardson

Date Official Record Copy U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development form HUD-713.1 (02/03)

Previous edition is obsolete.