Environmental Review

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) requires the analysis of the impact of federally funded projects on the environment and vice versa. This requirement pertains to programs funded through the federal Continuum of Care (CoC) homeless assistance program including units secured through rental assistance and housing projects that receive leasing or project-based assistance. The purpose of the analysis, known as an environmental review (ER), is to ensure that HUD-funded projects provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing as well as demonstrate compliance with up to 17 federal environmental laws and authorities.

Homeward facilitates a regional process for conducting the environmental reviews in the Greater Richmond CoC region for grants funded under the HUD CoC program. (Rapid Rehousing grants funded through the Virginia Housing Solutions Program also require an environmental review which is facilitated by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. See link below for more information) Homeward provides and maintains information about the process. The environmental review is conducted by the homeless service provider (grantee) but must be approved by the local government (Responsible Entity) in which the housing unit is located as noted below.

Responsible Entity Contact Information:

Chesterfield County: Kathleen Thompson - ThompsonKA@chesterfield.gov
Hanover County: Lynne Carruth
Henrico County: Geleene Gofeena- gof@henrico.us
Richmond: Chris Yenson - yensonct@richmondgov.com
Homeward: Lynne Carruth – lcarruth@homewardva.org

Materials:

If you are homeless or will lose housing in the next three days, call the Homeless Connection Line at 804-972-0813.