LEGAL NOTICE
COMBINED NOTICE OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
September 17, 2025
City of Peabody
North Shore HOME Consortium
City Hall, 24 Lowell Street
Peabody, Massachusetts 01960
Telephone # 978-538-5774
Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC)
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 573-1100
This notice shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by EOHLC.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about October 6, 2025 EOHLC and the North Shore HOME Consortium will submit requests to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds under Title II of the Cranston Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, as amended, and Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) funds under Section 8, The Housing Act of 1937, as amended, for the project known as the Asbury Commons located at 461 Asbury Street in Hamilton, MA. This proposed development by Harborlight Homes involves the creation of 45 family housing units, all of which will be 100% affordable with 11 units designated as HOME assisted units. An Estimated $50,000 in HOME ARPA funds and an estimated $10,000 in HOME funds from the NSHC/the Town of Hamilton are expected to be committed to this development, along with eight project – based Section 8 vouchers through EOHLC.
Additional public funding anticipated includes State and Federal Low-income housing tax credits, Housing Stabilization Fund (HSF), Housing Innovations Fund (HIF), Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF), Community Based Housing (CBH), National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF), Town of Hamilton CPC and Affordable Housing Trust (AHT) funds, Federal Solar Tax Credits, MA Passive House Incentives. The total estimated project cost is approximately $23,000,000.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
Both agencies have determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) and is available upon request at the City of Peabody Department of Community Development and Planning, Peabody City Hall, 24 Lowell Street, Peabody, MA 01960 or at EOHLC, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02114 and also via email to dan.tobyne@mass.gov may be examined or copied during normal business hours; City of Peabody: Mon-Wed 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Thursday 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM, and Friday 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM or at EOHLC: Mon-Fri 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on this activity may submit written comments to EOHLC or to the City of Peabody at the respective addresses indicated above. All comments received by October 5, 2025 will be considered by these agencies prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which notice and proposed project they are addressing.
RELEASE OF FUNDS
The North Shore HOME Consortium certifies that Mayor Edward Bettencourt, Jr., and the Commonwealth of MA acting through EOHLC certifies to HUD that Catherine Racer is in her capacity as Certifying Officer, 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 project, to use HUD program funds for the purpose specified.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the Commonwealth of Mass. 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 Commonwealth of MA; (b) the Commonwealth of MA have 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 via email to CPDRROFBOS@hud.gov in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58) and shall be addressed to the Environmental Officer, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Boston, MA. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr., Mayor, City of Peabody, MA
Catherine Racer, Undersecretary, EOHLC
| Date published: | September 17, 2025 |
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