Public Notice
Published on April 16, 2026
PUBLIC NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS FOR TIERED PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS
Date of Publication: April 16, 2026
The Village of Oak Park
123 Madison St.
Oak Park, Illinois 60302
(708) 358-5416
On or after May 1, 2026, the Village of Oak Park will submit a request to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title 1 of the of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL93383), to undertake the following project:
Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: Housing Rehab Projects
Estimated Project Cost: $200,000
Purpose: Provide housing rehabilitation relief to income qualified Oak Park residents.
Location: The project will cover income qualified single-family and multifamily homes in Oak Park.
Project/Program Description: Activities covered under this review include: (1) rehabilitation of owner-occupied homes; (2) rehabilitation of small rental properties, generally defined as structures containing one to four dwelling units; and (3) implementation of energy efficiency improvements through grant-funded or loan-funded programs. All activities are limited to existing residential structures and do not include new construction, expansion of building footprints beyond minor additions, or changes in land use.
Eligible rehabilitation activities may include but are not limited to: roof repair or replacement; window and door replacement; HVAC system installation or upgrades; plumbing and electrical improvements; structural repairs; accessibility modifications; lead-based paint hazard reduction; asbestos abatement; and general interior and exterior repairs necessary to address health, safety, and code compliance issues. Energy efficiency improvements may include insulation, air sealing, energy-efficient appliances, water heaters, lighting, and other measures intended to reduce household energy consumption.
Project activities are expected to occur on scattered sites throughout the Village of Oak Park, Illinois, within existing developed residential neighborhoods. No specific properties are identified at the tiered level; site-specific reviews will be completed as individual properties are selected for assistance.
Physical impacts of the project are anticipated to be minimal and limited to rehabilitation of existing structures. Some activities may involve minor ground disturbance, such as limited excavation associated with foundation repairs, utility line replacement (including private-side water service line replacement), or installation of exterior features (e.g., accessibility ramps). Ground disturbance, where it occurs, will be localized and shallow in nature and will not involve significant grading or land alteration.
All activities will occur on properties that are already developed and in residential use. The project does not include land acquisition, conversion of land use, demolition of historic structures (unless separately reviewed), or development of vacant land. Properties assisted through this program will either be owned by participating homeowners or small-scale landlords at the time of project initiation. The Village does not anticipate acquiring real property as part of this project.
The project may be implemented in multiple phases over the duration of the program year(s), depending on funding availability and program demand. Individual projects will vary in scope and cost but will remain within the general categories described above. All site-specific activities will be evaluated for compliance with applicable environmental regulations pursuant to 24 CFR Part 58 prior to the commitment of funds.
Level of Environmental Review Citation: 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3) Rehabilitation of buildings and improvements when the following conditions are met: (i) In the case of a building for residential use (with one to four units), the density is not increased beyond four units, the land use is not changed, and the footprint of the building is not increased in a floodplain or wetland; (ii) In the case of multifamily residential buildings: (A) Unit density is not changed more than 20 percent; (B) The project does not involve changes in land use from residential to non-residential; and (C) The estimated cost of rehabilitation is less than 75 percent of the total estimated cost of replacement after rehabilitation.
Environmental Finding: The Tier 1 Review found no extraordinary circumstances which would require the completion of an Environmental Assessment and this project may remain Categorically Excluded subject to the Federal laws and authorities cited in § 58.35 (CEST). The activity/activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements per 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(1). An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 and may be examined or copied weekdays 9:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M. or at https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/environmental-review/environmental-review-records/.
Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site-specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review: Contamination and Toxic Substances; Endangered Species; Wetlands Protection; Historical Preservation.
Mitigation Measures/Conditions/Permits (if any): Contamination and Toxic Substances: The Responsible Entity (RE) will assess all addresses for Contamination and Toxic Substances and provide an assessment for each address. In doing so, the RE will use data from the following resources to ensure to noted hazardous materials, contamination, toxic chemicals and gases, and radioactive substances, where a hazard could affect the health and safety of occupants or conflict with the intended utilization of the sites: National EPA Assist, Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, FEMA Public Radon Dashboard and the EPA’s Underground Storage Tank Finder; Wetlands Protection: the RE will review all zones and evaluate if the land is on or adjacent to land that is designated as Wetlands and provide an assessment for each. All addresses will be mapped and assessed to establish if any suitable habitats or endangered species will be affected using the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Wetlands Mapper.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Village of Oak Park office of Neighborhood Services, Community Services Department. All comments received by May 1, 2026, will be considered by the Village of Oak Park prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The Village of Oak Park certifies to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that Jonathan Burch, Certifying Officer, in their capacity as Assistant Village Manager / Neighborhood Services Director, 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 Village of Oak Park Housing Department to use HUD program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the Village of Oak Park’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 the Village of Oak Park; (b) the Village of Oak Park 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 submitted to HUD’s online mailbox at CPDRROFCHI@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Jonathan Burch, Assistant Village Manager/Neighborhood Services Director and Certifying Officer