COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG)
ALTERNATIVE ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM (AEP) – 5-YEAR REVIEW - 2026
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (NOI RROF)
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about October 19, 2026, the City of New York (the City) anticipates submitting a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of $51,780,000 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds authorized under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, (PL 93-383), as amended, to undertake the City’s Alternative Enforcement Program citywide, for a period of five years.
The Alternative Enforcement Program (AEP) is intended to address the serious physical deterioration of the most distressed buildings in New York City. Through AEP, the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) can order the property owner to repair or replace building systems as well as to address violations. Using criteria set forth in the City's Administrative Code, HPD annually designates 250 multiple dwellings that are high consumers of HPD's code enforcement services for participation in the program. HPD notifies owners that their buildings have been selected and the owners will have four months to perform specified repairs. If the owner fails to comply, AEP can perform the work using CDBG funds.
The project scope is limited to rehabilitation of existing residential buildings within their existing footprint (i.e., no new construction, no building expansion) and in no case will work involve a change in land use. Work may entail, but is not limited to, pest management; replacing doors, windows, fire escapes, floor joists and flooring, staircases, and roofs; repointing a building's facade; rewiring the building and other electrical system upgrades; replacement and/or improvements to the gas meters, gas distribution systems, heating plants, hot water heaters, waste lines, and domestic water supply; and waterproofing the building envelope. Ground disturbance would be limited to activities within previously disturbed soil. Activities involving significant ground disturbance or disruption of undisturbed soils are not eligible for the Program.
CDBG funds are allocated on an annual basis to the City and, due to the nature of the Program, the specific locations where implementation would occur is unknown. It is estimated that approximately $10,356,000 of CDBG funds would be allocated to the Program each year. The CDBG grant numbers to be used are B-25-MC-36-0104, B-26-MC-36-0104, B-27-MC-36-0104, B-28-MC-36-0104, and B-29-MC-36-0104. (Future Federal Fiscal Year CDBG allocations are subject to HUD funding.)
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION SUBJECT TO SECTION 58.35
In accordance with 24 CFR 58.35 of the HUD Environmental Review Procedures for HUD funded activities, the implementation of the Alternative Enforcement Program for a five year period throughout New York City has been determined to be categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Assessment requirements. The proposed project involves rehabilitation of residential structures pursuant to 24 CFR 58.35(a)(3).
An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at https://www.nyc.gov/site/cdbgdr/index.page.
The ERR will also be made available to the public for review or copied, upon request, either electronically, by U.S. mail, or in person. Please submit your request to NYC OMB by mail or in person at 255 Greenwich Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10007, Attention: Juliet Jacobs, Environmental Unit Head, or via email to CDBGComments@omb.nyc.gov. NYC OMB’s office is open on weekdays, between the hours of 9:30 AM and 5:30 PM.
The city will use Site Specific or Tier II Reviews as part of the Environmental Tiered Review Process, to supplement this ERR with site-specific information further addressing Airport Hazards, Flood Insurance, Contamination and Toxic Substances, Floodplain Management, Historic Preservation, and other compliance factors prior to approving any rehabilitation of a structure under these projects and activities.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit comments on the ERR to the NYC OMB by mail, in person, or via email to the addresses listed above. Comments may be submitted by phone to (212) 788-1653. All comments received by October 16, 2026, will be considered by NYC OMB prior to authorizing the submission of a request for release of funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
NYC OMB certifies to HUD that the City and Julie Freeman, in her capacity as 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 the City to use CDBG funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will consider objections to its release of funds and NYC OMB’s certification for a period of fifteen days following its actual receipt of the request only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of NYC OMB; (b) NYC OMB 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 project have committed funds or incurred costs 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 addressed to Celia Jones, Community Planning and Development Director, U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development at 26 Federal Plaza, Suite 3513, New York NY 10278, or via email to CPDRROFNYC@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
City of New York Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Mayor
Sherif Soliman, Director of Management and Budget
Date: October 9, 2026