Somerset County PY2026 Action Plan

Somerset County PY2026 Action Plan PUBLIC NOTICE Somerset County, New Jersey 2026 Annual Action Plan Notice of Public Comment Period and Public Hearing Background - The County of Somerset is the recipient of federal entitlement Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds. As a condition of receipt of these funds, the County must prepare and submit an Annual Action Plan to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Available Funds - The County has been advised by HUD that it will receive an entitlement grant allocation of $1,196,815.00 in CDBG funds and $715,462.11 in HOME funds. The County is also reprogramming $330,104.00 in CDBG funds from prior Program Years. Range of Eligible Activities - Funds available under the CDBG Program may be used for a wide range of activities including acquisition, disposition, public facilities and improvements, clearance activities, public services, interim assistance, payment of non-federal share of grants, relocation, loss of rental income, housing services, utility construction, home ownership assistance, economic development, provision of technical assistance, certain educational institution assistance, rehabilitation and preservation activities, special assistance to community based development organizations and related planning, environmental and administrative activities. Funds available under the HOME Program may be used to provide incentives to develop and support housing affordability through rental assistance payments, acquisition, new construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation by funding of eligible hard and soft costs and certain related counseling services, and activities for eligible low- and moderate-income persons. Program Limitations - Both the CDBG and the HOME Programs have certain legislative and regulatory limitations on the uses of funds which restrict the types of projects and activities which may be funded under these programs, including the requirement that funds must principally benefit persons of low or moderate-income. As a result, the range of eligible activities under these programs is subject to these legislative and regulatory limitations. The County has prepared a draft Annual Action Plan as summarized below. Based on the projects and activities proposed the County anticipates that 100% of both the CDBG and HOME Program funds will be used in a manner which will benefit low and moderate income-persons as defined by federal regulations. Proposed Annual Action Plan – The County will submit to HUD its 2026 Annual Action Plan. The Draft Action Plan is based on a review of project proposals submitted to the Somerset County Community Development Office and the County's experience in the administration of prior year grants. The projects included in the draft Annual Action Plan are available in a document on Somerset County's website and available at the following location: https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/government/human-services/community-development/cdbg-and-home. Or, interested parties can contact the Community Development Office at 908-541-5756 or commdevelop@co.somerset.nj.us. Availability of Draft Plan - Pursuant to the provisions of federal regulations and the County's Citizen Participation Plan, the County is providing notice that Draft 2026 Annual Action Plan are now available for review. Members of the public wishing to review these documents may view them on the County's website at: https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/government/human-services/community-development/cdbg-and-home or receive more information by contacting the Community Development Office via e-mail at: Hirsch@somersetcountynj.gov or by calling 908-541-5756. Citizen Comments - Persons wishing to comment on the 2026 Annual Action Plan should respond to the County during the comment period which extends for a period of at least thirty (30) days, beginning on May 22nd and ending on June 30th. All comments should be addressed to Jeremy Hirsch, Principal Planner, Somerset County Community Development Office, PO Box 3000, Somerville, NJ 08876-1262 or Hirsch@somersetcountynj.gov. Comments may also be presented at the public hearing on the 2026 Annual Action Plan to be held June 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM. This meeting will be held in-person – in the 4th floor conference room at 27 Warren Street in Somerville – and via a virtual Microsoft Teams meeting. The link for the Teams meeting will be provided at least 24 hours ahead of time on the County website at: https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/government/human-services/community-development/cdbg-and-home/public-notices. All comments must include your name and municipality. Shanel Y. Robinson, Commissioner Director May 22 2026 LNYS0522256 $71.38