National Housing Trust Fund Environmental Review

The National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) regulations establish specific property standards for housing that receives NHTF funds. These standards include Environmental Provisions for projects involving new construction and rehabilitation. The NHTF Environmental Provisions for new construction and rehabilitation under the Property Standards at 24 CFR § 93.301(f)(1) and (2) are similar to HUD’s Environmental Regulations at 24 CFR Parts 50 and 58. NHTF projects are subject to the same environmental concerns that HUD-assisted projects are subject to. The main difference is that the NHTF Environmental Provisions are outcome based, and exclude consultation procedures that would be applicable ifN HTF project selection was a federal action. Parts 50 and 58 are process based, and include consultation procedures for several laws and authorities where there may be environmental impacts.

What’s the same as Part 50/58?

The following Environmental Provisions are the same as the Part 50/58 process:

• Coastal Barrier Resources System
• Coastal Zone Management
• Explosives and Hazards
• Endangered Species (informal consultation)
• Wild and Scenic Rivers
• Sole Source Aquifers

What’s different from Part 50/58?

The following Environmental Provisions are not the same as the Part 50/58 process:

• Historic Preservation
• Farmlands
• Airport Zones
• Floodplains
• Wetlands
• Contamination
• Noise
• Safe Drinking Water

When a project is only using NHTF funds

• No Level of Review (CEST/EA)
• No Public Comment
• No Request for Release of Funds and Certification
• No Authority to Use Grant Funds