The mission of the Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) is to promote sound housing and community development in Delaware County with the use of federal, state and local resources. OHCD is responsible for the planning, administration, and oversight of three federal programs: the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Programs. The office is also charged with oversight of state initiatives funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and County initiatives, as funds become available.
RECENT UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (Tiered Review)
May 19, 2026
Lawrence County
430 Court Street
New Castle PA 16101 724-652-2144
On or about May 27, 2026, the County of Lawrence will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Lead Hazard Reduction and Healthy Homes Supplemental funds under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, as amended, to undertake the following multi-year program/project: 2025 Lead Hazard Reduction Grant for the purpose of maximizing the number of children under the age of six protected from lead poisoning by assisting in undertaking comprehensive programs to identify and control lead-based paint hazards by reducing lead-based paint hazards in homes through interim controls and/or abatement. Lawrence County will utilize the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control and Healthy Homes supplemental funds to market, recruit, test, treat, and clear homes with housing-based health hazards. A total of at least 120 low/mod income families residing in target housing within the consortium's areas to include the Counties of Mercer, Delaware, Lawrence, Butler, Indiana, Clearfield and Crawford will receive the benefit of environmentally safe housing. Of the homes to receive services, we are anticipated servicing both single-family, owner-occupied units (with at least one child under 6 years old) and tenant-occupied (rental) single or multi-family units. Homes occupied by one or more children identified with a blood-lead level of 5 micrograms per deciliter, will be prioritized. The County of Lawrence is requesting the release of $5,000,000 of Lead Hazard Control Funding with an additional $750,000 of Healthy Home Supplemental Funding, with match amounts of $500,000 for the period of performance from March 16, 2026, through March 18, 2030. The County of Lawrence has identified Lawrence County Social Services, Inc. (LCSS) as the primary recipient.
The proposed Hazard Control activities to be funded under this/these program(s) is/are categorically excluded from the National Environmental Policy Act requirements, but subject to compliance with some of the environmental laws and authorities listed at § 58.5 of 24 CFR Part 58. In accordance with §58.15, a tiered review process has been structured, whereby some environmental laws and authorities have been reviewed and studied for the intended target area(s) listed above. Compliance with other applicable environmental laws and authorities will be met when individual projects are reviewed, i.e., Flood Insurance, Historic Preservation, Contamination/Toxics. Should individual aggregate projects exceed the threshold for categorical exclusion detailed at §58.35(a), an Environmental Assessment will be completed and a separate Finding of No Significant Impact and Request for Release of Funds published. Copies of the compliance documentation worksheets are available at the address below.
An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at The County of Lawrence, 430 Court Street, New Castle PA 16101 or at www.lawrencecountypa.gov and may be examined or copied weekdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the County of Lawrence, 430 Court Street, New Castle PA 16101. All comments received by May 26, 2026, will be considered by Lawrence County prior to authorizing submission of a Request for Release of Funds and Environmental Certification to HUD.
RELEASE OF FUNDS
The County of Lawrence certifies to HUD that Dan Vogler in his official capacity as Chairman Commissioner of Lawrence County and all other responsible parties, consent 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 County of Lawrence to utilize federal funds and implement the Program.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will consider objections to its release of funds and the County of Lawrence certification for a period of fifteen days following either the anticipated submission date (cited above) or HUD’s actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if the objections are on one of the following bases: (a) that the Certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the County of Lawrence; (b) the County of Lawrence has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the County of Lawrence has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; (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), and may be addressed to HUD and sent to the email address: OLHCHHPECOS@hud.gov
Dan Vogler, Chairman Commissioner, Certifying Officer for County of Lawrence
