NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

August 12, 2026
Delaware State Housing Authority
18 The Green
Dover, DE 19904
(302) 739-4263

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Delaware State Housing Authority.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about August 28, 2026 the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) as the Responsible Entity, will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12721 et seq); HOME Investment Partnerships Program-American Rescue Plan funds under Section 3205 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-2); Community Development Block Grant – Recovery Housing Program funds under Section 8071 of the Support For Patients and Communities Act; and Rural Health Transformation program funds authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act under Public Law 119-21 (Section 71401) to undertake a project known as the Hope Center – Kent Rehabilitation Project. The Project proposes to acquire and rehabilitate an existing building, formerly a Delaware State University (DSU) Living and Leaming Commons building, into an emergency and transitional shelter. The former DSU building is a seven-story structure with 151 rooms surrounded by asphalt surface parking lots and limited decorative landscaping. The structure also includes meeting spaces and amenities including lobby and reception areas, a cafeteria, classrooms, a pool, an exercise room, laundry and kitchen facilities, and other auxiliary spaces. Rehabilitation of the existing structure would involve the removal and reconstruction of interior walls; upgrading bathroom fixtures; installing new flooring in rooms and bathrooms; upgrading mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, including the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system; installing new appliances; and installing accessibility upgrades, such as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-complaint doorknobs. The Project Site is located at 1570 North DuPont Highway, Dover, Delaware, in Kent County. The Project Site consists of a single parcel (Parcel Identification Number: ED05-057.00-01-05.00), which is rectangular in shape and is approximately 5.95 acres in size.

The Project would be funded, in part, by $3,300,000 of HOME Investment Partnerships Program funding (M23SG 100100/M24SG 100100); $4,584,888 of HOME Investment Partnerships Program-American Rescue Plan funding (M21SP100100); $2,200,000 of Community Development Block Grant-Recovery Housing Program funding (B24RH100001/B25RH100001); AND $21,415,112 of Rural Health Transformation Program funding(RHTCMS3320530100) and $10,000,000 of Housing Development Funds (non-federal) with a total project funding amount of $41,500,000.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The DSHA 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 18 The Green, Dover, DE 19904 and may be examined or copied weekdays between 10 A.M to 4 P.M. The ERR will also be made available to the public for review electronically by contacting Nicole Starecheski, Homelessness Initiatives Program Specialist II, Nicole.Starecheski@delaware.gov.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to DSHA at Nicole.Starecheski@delaware.gov. All comments received by August 27, 2026, will be considered by DSHA prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

DSHA certifies to HUD that Matthew J. Heckles, Director in his capacity as Director and NEPA Certifying Officer 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 DSHA to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the DSHA’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 DSHA; (b) DSHA 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; 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 emailed to the HUD grant administration office at CPDRROFPHI@hud.gov or mailed to the HUD Philadelphia Regional Office at the Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the last actual day of the objection period.

Matthew J. Heckles, Director
Director and NEPA Certifying Officer