Public Notice- Public Comment Period and Public Hearing

Hamilton County is initiating a minimum 15-day public comment period beginning Friday, August 22, 2025, and will hold one public hearing regarding a substantial amendment to Hamilton County’s FY 2021 Annual Action Plan and to the County’s HOME-ARP Allocation Plan. On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) was signed into law. ARPA provided additional federal resources for economic stimulus and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic including $5 billion in supplemental allocations under the HOME Program from the new Homeless Assistance and Supportive Services (HASS) Program. Hamilton County’s allocation of these HOME-ARP funds is $5,472,531. The HASS program benefits individuals or families who are: (1) homeless, (2) at risk of homelessness, (3) fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, (4) in populations where providing supportive services or assistance would prevent homelessness or would serve those with the greatest risk of housing instability, and (5) veterans and families that include a veteran family member that meet the criteria in (1)-(4) above. HOME ARP funds may be used for the following eligible activities: rental housing, non-congregate shelter, tenant-based rental assistance, supportive services, administration and planning, and non-profit capacity-building and operational support. On March 26, 2023, the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners adopted a Resolution to use HOME-ARP funding for the eligible categories: affordable housing, administration/planning, supportive services, and non-profit operating. On January 25, 2024, the Board adopted a Resolution to amend the funding for eligible categories to include the non-congregate shelter activity. On May 28, 2025, HUD notified Hamilton County that an administrative error had resulted in the County receiving an allocation that was less than the amount entitled by law. This substantial amendment to the Hamilton County HOME-ARP Allocation plan will incorporate the additional funds, in the amount of $8,164, into the program budget. Additionally, the County determined that the budget allocations for the funded activities should be amended to allow for effective program administration throughout the term of the grant. This amendment will reallocate $164,357 from the Affordable Rental Housing category to the Planning and Administration category. Hamilton County initially allocated less than the statutory limit of fifteen percent (15%) for program planning and administration. Through the planning phase and beginning of program administration and seeing rising costs for administration, the current allocation will not be sufficient for the entire performance period of the grant. Hamilton County has determined that increasing the amount of funds available for program administration to 12% of the grant will ensure the capacity for effective administration of funded projects and activities through the expenditure deadline in September 2030. The public hearing will take place beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 28th, 2025, on the 6th floor of the Todd B. Portune Center for County Government, 138 East Court Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Citizens wishing to speak at the public hearing may fill out a speaker’s request card.  Include all pertinent information and submit it to the Clerk of the Board prior to the beginning of the meeting or hearing. Speakers are generally granted 2 minutes to address the Board. The  HOME-ARP Allocation Plan will be available for public review and comment on the County’s website at https://www.hamiltoncountyohio.gov/government/departments/planning_and_development/community_development/index.php .  This information will also be available at the Hamilton County Planning and Development Department, Todd B. Portune Center for County Government, 138 E. Court Street, Rm 1002, Cincinnati, OH 45202 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Copies may also be mailed or e-mailed upon request by contacting the Hamilton County Planning+Development Department  at (513) 946-8234. Hamilton County Board of Commissioners consideration for the adoption of the Substantial Amendment to the County’s HOME-ARP Allocation Plan/ Substantial Amendment to the County’s FY 2021 Annual Action Plan will take place beginning at 1:00 PM on Thursday, September 11, 2025, on the 6th floor of the Todd B. Portune Center for County Government, 138 East Court Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Any individual, group, or agency wishing to comment on the Substantial Amendment to the HOME ARP Allocation Plan/ FY 2021 Annual Action Plan may submit comments to Hamilton County’s Planning and Development Department, Todd B. Portune Center for County Government,138 E. Court Street, Rm 1002, Cincinnati, OH 45202 or by e-mail to steve.johns@hamiltoncountyohio.gov. All comments received by September 5, 2025, will be considered by Hamilton County before County Commissioners adopt the Substantial Amendment to the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan and FY 2021 Annual Action Plan. Written comments should specify which notice they are addressing. Hamilton County Commissioners have resumed in-person public meetings on the 6th floor of the Todd B. Portune Center for County Government, 138 East Court Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. The meeting site is wheelchair accessible. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or written material in an alternate format for the August 28, 2025, public hearing or September 11, 2025, Board of Commissioners meeting, should contact Steve Johns at  steve.johns@hamiltoncountyohio.gov or the Hamilton County Community Development Division at (513) 946-8234 as soon as possible, but no later than three business days prior to the program or activity. The public is urged to participate in public hearings or Commissioners’ meetings in person or virtually via one of the many ways listed below. Guidelines for those who wish to have comments addressed during a Commissioners’ meeting (meetings held on Thursdays): Speakers are generally granted two minutes to address the Board. Commissioners’ comments or questions will not count against your time. Fill out a speaker’s request card, include all pertinent information, and submit to the Clerk of the Board prior to the beginning of the meeting or hearing. Submit comments via the Electronic Public Hearing input form an hour before the meeting begins. To join the Commission Meeting via the Virtual Commissioner Meeting, please visit https://www.hamiltoncountyohio.gov/government/county_commissioners/commissioners_meetings.php and click on the Virtual Commissioner Meeting link, password: 687150. Virtual attendees may address the Board during the Public Comment portion of the agenda by using the ‘raise hand’ feature and you will be prompted to unmute. To make public comment by phone, press *9 to raise hand and *6 to unmute. Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 870 0365 6596 Password: 687150 To submit public comments online, use the Electronic Public Hearing form up to an hour before the hearing at: https://www.hamiltoncountyohio.gov/government/county_commissioners/comments.php Ways to watch online: YouTube-   https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2eSEFVHK7nvTInsaUtBJaCAW8grrH4Qi Facebook Live-  https://www.facebook.com/HamiltonCountyOhio/live/ TV Channels- televised LIVE on the cable system in ICRC communities on Spectrum channel 4 and Cincinnati Bell channel 834