County signs off on environmental review for 19‑unit veterans housing project in Monroe Township
Summary
Board agreed to act as the responsible entity to certify NEPA review for a Metropolitan Housing Authority project on a 15‑acre parcel in Monroe Township; project funding includes HUD vouchers, HOME funds and ARPA allocations and the NEPA review found no significant impact.
Desmond, the county community development administrator, told the Clermont County Board of Commissioners that a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review for a Clermont Metropolitan Housing Authority project on a 15‑acre parcel in Monroe Township found no significant environmental impact and that a 15‑day public comment period returned no objections.
Desmond outlined three federal funding sources for the project: $6,010,800 in HUD project‑based vouchers, $1,040,000 in HOME funds provided by the Board of County Commissioners, and $5,128,256 in ARPA funds from the board. He described the development as roughly 19 units of affordable housing for veterans with a community center and wraparound services coordinated with the VA, which will reduce the need for veterans to travel to Cincinnati for services.
The board agreed to act as the non‑recipient responsible entity for environmental certification under 24 CFR part 58 and designated Thomas J. Igel (county administrator) to act as the certifying officer to execute required documents for the request for release of federal funds. Desmond said Metropolitan Housing Authority planned to purchase the land Feb. 3 and anticipated spring ground‑breaking, with construction activity in the following months.
The board approved the designation and the environmental certification so HUD can proceed with releasing federal funds for the project.
