Links to Contents
Environmental Review Regulations
Section 3: Employment / Economic Opportunities for Low and Very Low Income Persons
Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act of 1970 (URA)
Fair Housing Laws and Resources
ENERGY STAR Requirements for SHOP funds starting with HUD FY 2008 funds
Universal, Visitable, Accessible Home Design
Environmental Review Regulations
Notice: CPD-01-09 - This Notice sets forth the environmental regulations and procedures for the SHOP program. It was the May 21, 2001 announcement
and May 21, 2003 expiration announcement issues. It governs environmental reviews for SHOP-funded projects from the FY2001 funding round forward, unless
superseded by another CPD Notice. The most current Notice in force will always be available on the HUD website.
click here
To determine what level of environmental review is appropriate for your project and obtain basic information for conducting whatever review is
necessary to comply with all HUD environmental review requirements, please visit the HUD Environmental Review Requirements webpage at:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/environment/review/
Use the above link for protocol when the Responsible Entity (agency exercising jurisdiction over the land) is performing the environmental assessment (Part 58). For a copy of the checklist,
click here.
For protocol when HUD is performing the environmental assessment review (24 CFR Part 50 – Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality),
click here.
NOTE: The “Grantee” in this case refers to Community Frameworks. SHOP Affiliates receive a loan.
Section 3: Employment / Economic Opportunities For Low and Very Low Income Persons
Community Frameworks Section 3 Guide click here
Section 3 applies to SHOP borrowers who receive more than $200,000 for infrastructure work. It also applies to contractors/subcontractors in cases where the SHOP borrower receives more than $200,000 AND the contractor/subcontractor exceeds $100,000. click here
HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) Section 3 compliance information. click here
Section 3 compliance Frequently Asked Questions. click here
Additional information can be found here. click here
Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act of 1970 (URA)
SHOP is a Special Purposes Grant, and is therefore subject to the URA. The URA is a federal law that establishes minimum standards for federally funded programs and projects that require the acquisition of real property (real estate) or displacement of persons from their homes, businesses, or farms. The URA's protections and assistance apply to the acquisition, rehabilitation, or demolition of real property for federal or federally funded projects. See below to determine which portion of the Act applies to your project.
Real Property Acquisition
The majority of SHOP funded projects DO NOT involve relocation. If your project does not involve relocation, see Community Frameworks' URA and Real Property Acquisition Guide with sample letter. click here...
Real Property Acquisition with Relocation
If a Tenant or Business is displaced for your project, relocation applies. A Tenant is defined as someone who is living or storing their belongings on the property with the owner's consent (not squatters), whether or not the "tenant" is paying rent.
Fair Housing Laws and Resources
ENERGY STAR Requirements for SHOP funds starting with HUD FY 2008 funds
This requirement dictates that all newly constructed units assisted with SHOP funds provided under the 2008 and 2009 NOFAs must qualify and receive Energy Star Certification by an independent Home Energy Rater (HER) upon completions and only Energy Star labeled products and appliances may be used in these units.
For Rehab Units, all products and appliances which are replaced in properties that are REHABILITATED must be Energy Star labeled, if there is an Energy Star equivalent available.
Northwest ENERGY STAR
Contact: Lee Kuhl
lkuhl@northwestenergystar.com
(503) 869-0392
http://www.northwestenergystar.com/partners/home-builders
Northwest EnergyStar has a database of valuable resources for home builders, which is updated regularly. These database categories are located in the dropdown menu under Technical Resources.
NEW CONSTRUCTION (for info on Rehab, click here)
Verification and Certification
To have your ENERGY STAR qualified home verified and certified, a verifier inspects your project on-site and collects all the information needed to verify that it meets ENERGY STAR Home standards. During this process, the verifier directly confirms the proper selection and installation of specifications with nominal values and labels (e.g., insulation, windows, appliances).
For the performance standards, the verifier is responsible for confirming that the Performance Testing technician is approved by the program (see below), and collects the relevant testing documentation for each home, but in most cases does not directly test the systems. The verifier also records the data from the performance testing sticker applied to the air handler on the inspection form, and enters this information into the program database. For CheckMe!® and the Honeywell Service Assistant, a copy of the report must be collected by the verifier from either the technician or the builder.
Link to find participating verifier in your area: http://www.northwestenergystar.com/partners/home-builders?tid=54&=Apply
Performance Testing
The ENERGY STAR Homes Northwest program maintains an up-to-date list of all individuals who have been approved to conduct performance testing in the new construction market. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) contractors are the most likely trades to offer this service, but verifiers, building science specialists, utilities and others are eligible provided they meet all criteria. Only technicians on this list may be able to conduct testing and provide results sufficient for program compliance. The purpose of this list is to ensure that builders are directed to technicians with proven skills to conduct performance testing for new construction.
Link to find program approved Performance Testers in your area: http://www.northwestenergystar.com/partners/home-builders?tid=169&=Apply
REHAB
Process for Community Frameworks’ Affiliates:
- any component removed in a rehab project must be replaced with an Energy Star component, when one exists
- the affiliate shall document those replacements
- a site visit shall look at the scope of work and perhaps visit the site to determine compliance
Resources from energystar.gov on Home Energy Self Assessments and Energy Star Certified Products:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_index
Here is a link where you can find a list by state of available Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency. http://www.dsireusa.org/
Another Web site full of good information: http://www.adaptiveenvironments.org/
UNIVERSAL, VISITABLE, AND ACCESSIBLE HOME DESIGNS
Although this is not a SHOP compliance requirement, this information is listed here because we want to encourage the use of Universal, Visitable, and Accessible home designs.
Studies indicate that Visitability makes sense for everyone, not just for people with disabilities. Research shows that the market for homes with universal features that would allow older people to remain at home and independent, will likely increase. According to a 2000 AARP survey, more than 90 percent of persons age 65 and older would prefer to stay in their current residence as long as possible. Furthermore, evidence suggests that when visitable units are planned for at the outset, costs are minimal.
Universal Design (UD):
The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without adaptation or specialized design.
A user-friendly approach to design in the living environment where people of any culture, age, size, weight, race, gender and ability can experience an environment that promotes their health, safety and welfare today and in the future.
Visitable Units:
Visitability standards allow a person with mobility impairments access into the home, but do not require that all features be made accessible. Visitability means at least one entrance is at grade (no steps), can be approached by an accessible route such as a sidewalk; and the entrance door and all interior passage doors are at least 2 feet 10 inches wide, allowing 32 inches of clear passage. A visitable home also serves persons without disabilities, such as a mother with a stroller or a person delivering large appliances. Do not include “Accessible Units.”
Accessible Units:
When used with respect to an individual dwelling unit, accessible means that the unit is located on an accessible route, and when designed, constructed, altered or adapted, can be approached, entered, and used by individuals with physical disabilities. Do not include “Visitable Units.”
More information on Universal, Visitable, and Accessible as well as “Adaptable” can be found at:
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/UniversalDesign/Definitions/
http://www.universaldesign.org/
Visitability Issues – marketability, costs, topography
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