HUD Multi-State Programmatic Agreement for the Second Round of Funding for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program

The Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) intention to develop a multi-state Programmatic Agreement was announced on May 27, 2010, for activities allowed in Round 2 of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. This program received approximately $2 billion through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Recovery
Round 2 of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP2) funds activities such as demolition of blighted structures, acquisition and rehabilitation of foreclosed or vacant properties, redevelopment of vacant or foreclosed properties, and establishment and operation of land banks. Under Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations, HUD will be responsible for completing the Section 106 process for those projects where a non-profit organization is the grantee. Nineteen states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin) and the District of Columbia have pending projects involving non-profit organizations. The Programmatic Agreement (PA) is meant to streamline and expedite the consultation process. HUD’s initial working outline of the PA includes a list of activities exempted from further review as well as standard mitigation measures for activities which may cause adverse effects.

Shortly after receiving HUD’s notification, the ACHP became involved in this effort because of the significant amount of funding, the strict timelines provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and the potential to affect a large number of properties (approximately 11,500). HUD will be consulting extensively with the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers. As required by 36 CFR Part 800, HUD will also consult with tribes who ascribe significance to historic properties that may be affected by NSP2 projects. It will also consult appropriately with the public. The ACHP will be assisting HUD in these efforts.