REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about Monday, December 23, 2024, the City of Austin will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Project Based Vouchers (PBV) funds under Title V of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998, as amended, to undertake a project known as Cairn Point at Montopolis,  located at 1013 Montopolis Dr, Austin, TX Travis County, 78741; a project that includes 65 Project Based Vouchers (PBV), the acquisition of land, and new construction of an affordable multifamily development with 150 housing one- and two-bedroom units for seniors ages 55 and over. Project amenities will include a meeting room, exercise room, computer room, lounge, library, laundry facility, package receiving, service coordinator, on-site management, on-site maintenance, perimeter fencing and video surveillance.   The residential units will be 100 percent Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) at 30, 50 and 60 percent of the area median income (AMI). In addition, fifty (50) units will have Project-Based Section 8 subsidies and 15 one-bedroom units set aside for 30 percent AMI will be designated for veterans and will be subsidized with Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers.  The subject property will offer a service coordinator, and all services will be free of charge. Sixty-five (65) units will utilize PBVs through the Housing Authority of the City of Austin in the amount of $25,991,520 .00 over a 20-year period.  The total project cost will be approximately $51 million dollars and includes TDHCA tax credits. 

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of Austin has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment.  Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required.  Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at
1000 East 11th Street, Austin, TX 78702, and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. The ERR will also be made available to the public for review either electronically or by U.S. mail. Please submit your request by U.S. mail to the Housing Department, ATTN: Environmental Compliance, P.O. Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767, or by email to dawn.perkins@austintexas.gov.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the Environmental Review Record to the Housing and Planning Department, ATTN: Environmental Compliance, P.O. Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767.  Please submit your comments by U.S. mail to the Housing Department, ATTN: Environmental Compliance, P.O. Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767 or by email to dawn.perkins@austintexas.gov.  All comments received Friday, December 20, 2024, will be considered by The City of Austin prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.  Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of Austin certifies to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that Mandy DeMayo, in her capacity as Interim Director, 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. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Austin to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will accept objections to its release of funds and The City of Austin’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: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Austin; (b) the City of Austin 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 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (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 via email in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to HUD San Antonio Field Office SAFO_Objections@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact the HUD San Antonio Field Office via email to verify the actual last day of the objection period. 

City of Austin
Mandy DeMayo, Interim Director
Housing Department