JOINT NOTICE FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT & INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

September 27, 2024

The City of Charleston

                                                75 Calhoun Street, Third Floor                                                  

Charleston, SC, 29401

(843) 724-3766

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by The Housing Authority of the City of Charleston, SC.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about October 17, 2024, The City of Charleston will authorize the Housing Authority of the City of Charleston to submit a request to HUD for the release of Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) funds under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1437f) to provide rental subsidies utilizing Section 8 Project-Based Vouchers at an affordable housing project known as Archer School Apartments,  located at 220 Nassau Street, Charleston SC, 29403. Archer School Apartments is an affordable multifamily rental apartment complex owned and operated by The Humanities Foundation.  Archer School Apartments was recently constructed and involved the adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of the historic Henry P. Archer School, combined with the construction of two additional new buildings. The development consists of four buildings on 1.89 acres, creating 89 one- and two-bedroom affordable housing units designated explicitly for senior citizens. The estimated total project cost is $44,334,991.  Section 8 Project-Based assistance is being sought for 30 of the 89 units, and the estimated HUD PBV funding for the 30 vouchers over a 20-year Project-Based Voucher Housing Assistance Payment contract is $13,965,840.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of Charleston has determined that the project will not significantly impact the human environment.  Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required.  Additional project information is in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at The City of Charleston, Department of Housing and Community Development, 75 Calhoun Street, Third Floor, Charleston, SC 29401. Project information may be reviewed Monday through Friday between 8 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. by appointment only.  Please call (843) 724-3766 during office hours to schedule an appointment.

Joint Notice

Finding of No Significant Impact and

Intent to Request Release of Funds

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to The City of Charleston, Department of Housing and Community Development.  All comments received by October 15, 2024, will be considered by The City of Charleston before authorizing the submission of a request to release funds.  Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of Charleston certifies to HUD, South Carolina, that Geona Shaw Johnson, in her capacity as Director of Housing and Community Development, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities concerning the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD, South Carolina’s certification approval satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows The Housing Authority of the City of Charleston to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD, South Carolina, will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Charleston’s certification for 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: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Charleston, (b) the City of Charleston has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations 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, South Carolina; or (d) another Federal agency acting under 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 following the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to HUD/SC, Columbia, SC Program Center. 1835 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201-2408.   Potential objectors should contact HUD/ SC to verify the last day of the objection period.

Geona Shaw Johnson, Director

Housing and Community Development

City of Charleston