NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND PUBLIC HEARINGS
For Substantial Amendment to the Washtenaw Urban County Home Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Allocation Plan
Pursuant to U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) regulations, this notice is hereby given by the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) that a 30-day public comment period and four (4) public hearings will be held to solicit citizen input on a substantial amendment to the Washtenaw Urban County’s HOME-ARP Allocation Plan. In accordance with HUD Notice CPD-21-10, Washtenaw County OCED must follow its adopted requirements for “reasonable notice and an opportunity to comment” for plan amendments in its current citizen participation plan.
To address the need for homelessness assistance and supportive services, Congress appropriated $5 billion in ARP funds to be administered through HOME to perform four (4) activities that must primarily benefit qualifying individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or in other vulnerable populations. These activities include:
- development of affordable rental housing;
- tenant-based rental assistance (TBRA);
- provision of supportive services; and
- acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter units.
This program is called the HOME-American Rescue Plan Program or the HOME-ARP Program.
Washtenaw Urban County’s total HOME-ARP allocation is $4,562,230, with a spend-down deadline of September 30, 2030. To date HUD has released 5% of the grant to OCED for purposes of planning and administration. To access the remaining funds and issue awards, the Urban County submitted a HOME-ARP Allocation Plan by the deadline of March 31, 2023. HUD formally approved this Plan. The County is proposing a Substantial Amendment that would change the previous HOME-ARP budget (which allocated the majority of funds to the development of affordable rental housing) to the budget shown below, which targets supportive services and direct assistance.
These hearings invite participation and/or written comments from any person having an interest, or their duly appointed representative, in the following Washtenaw County jurisdictions: City of Ann Arbor, City of Chelsea, City of Dexter, City of Saline, City of Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor Township, August Township, Bridgewater Township, Dexter Township, Lima Township, Manchester Township, Northfield Township, Pittsfield Township, Salem Township, Saline Township, Scio Township, Superior Township, Sylvan Township, Webster Township, York Township, Ypsilanti Township.
Schedule of Public Hearings
Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 2:00 PM
Urban County Executive Committee Meeting
Location: https://zoom.us/join or dial 1-470-381-2552, enter Meeting ID: 875 1414 8686
Passcode: 036269
Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 6:30 PM
City of Ann Arbor Housing & Human Services Advisory Body Meeting
Location: https://zoom.us/join or dial 1-470-381-2552, enter Meeting ID: 837 8496 2121
Passcode: 758842
Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at 3:00 PM
Continuum of Care Board Meeting
Location: https://zoom.us/join or 1-470-250-9358, enter Meeting ID: 834 6342 5465
Passcode: 255167
Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 7:00 PM
Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Location: Zoom and In-Person Options
https://zoom.us/join or 1-470-250-9358, enter Meeting ID: 820 7250 8586, Passcode: 491940
OR Attend in Person: Washtenaw County Administration Building
Board of Commissioners Board Room
220 N. Main
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
The 30-day Public Comment Period on the Draft Substantial Amendment to the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan will run July 5 – August 4, 2023. Beginning on July 5, 2023, residents and interested parties can obtain the draft plan by contacting Tara Cohen at (734) 544-3039 or [email protected] or by downloading the plans from www.washtenaw.org/urbancounty (from the left-hand menu, click on HOME-ARP Funding Allocation Plan). If you would like to submit comments or request additional information, contact Tara Cohen at (734) 544-3039 or [email protected].
Tara Cohen, Housing & Infrastructure Manager
Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED)
Closed captions will be enabled in Zoom. The County of Washtenaw will provide the necessary auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audiotapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon seven (7) days’ notice to the County of Washtenaw. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the County of Washtenaw by writing or calling the following: 734-222-6850, TDD 734-994-1733