On or about November 18, 2025, the City of Allentown will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of $1,600,121 in Economic Development Initiative funds, to undertake a project administered by the Allentown Housing Authority in collaboration with the City of Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Date of Notice: October 21, 2025
Name of Responsible Entity (RE): City of Allentown, PA
Address: 435 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101
Telephone Number (RE): (610) 437-7610
The Project Site is located at 428 – 436 N. 6th Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the County of Lehigh. The Project Site is approximately 17,500 square feet in size, consists of a single parcel (Parcel Identification Number [PIN]: 640702596348 1). The Project Site is currently a vacant lot that contained a multi-unit rental that has been abandoned and left to progressively deteriorate, which was a cause of blight and safety hazard to the host neighborhood. The building was demolished in 2021 by the City using CDBG funds. The Project proposes to create 8 affordable rental units. Affordability will be targeted at households with incomes at or below 50 percent AMI (area median income). Two of the eight units (or 20 percent) will be reserved for extremely low-income households that earn 30 percent of the AMI or less, while four units will be reserved for veteran families.
The property is situated amidst a built-up, urban environment that is densely populated. The parcel is in a city-designated historic district where design guidelines are enforced by the HARB (Historical Architecture Review Board). The proposed building design, mass and siting have been approved by the HARB. Moreover, project plans have been prepared and has obtained conditional approval from the City Planning Commission after review. This CPC review also found the project compliant with the Traditional Neighborhood Development Overlay (TNDO), a zoning layer that regulates buildings to conform to the traditional characteristic of the host neighborhood and also promotes walkability and design that is compatible with adjoining residential neighborhoods. As well, the HARB has reviewed the project and has approved its proposed architectural design and facade materials. The total cost of the project (HUD and non-HUD funds) is estimated to be $3,610,748, which includes $1,866,769 of HUD funds for the project.
The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review
Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the City of Allentown Department of Community and Economic Development, located at 435 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101, and may be examined or copied weekdays 8AM to 4:30PM.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Teresa Dakuginow at Teresa.Dakuginow@allentownpa.gov or by U.S. mail at the following address: 435 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101. All comments received by November 4, 2025, will be considered by the City of Allentown prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The City of Allentown certifies to HUD that Matthew Tuerk in his capacity as Mayor and NEPA Certifying Officer consents 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 City of Allentown to use program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Allentown’s 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 City; (b) the City has 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 development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities 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 in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be emailed to the HUD grant administration office at CPDRROFPHI@hud.gov or mailed to the HUD Philadelphia Field Office at 801 Market Street, 12th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the last actual day of the objection period.
Matthew Tuerk, Mayor
City of Allentown