This office administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the HOME Investment Partnership Program which are federal entitlement grants funded through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

The CDBG program was created by Congress through the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. Through CDBG, a community is awarded funds and enabled to develop a flexible, locally designed comprehensive community development strategy in order to address the program's objectives. All CDBG-funded projects and activities must provide benefit to low and moderate income families or individuals. 

The HOME Program was established, formally, in 1992 as part of the Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act. The singular mandate of the HOME program is to expand the supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for low and moderate income individuals.
Applications for the two grants are received on an annual basis via a Request for Proposal response per the funding schedule. 

Organizations can apply for HOME, CDBG, HTF, or CoC funding for any eligible program or service that serves residents of Somerset County. Applications to the CDBG Program for facilities or services that only serve the residents of Franklin Township should apply to the Franklin Township CDBG Program. Please use the following link to access information about Franklin Township’s CDBG Program:  www.franklintwpnj.org

SOMERSET COUNTY
HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
PROGRAM YEAR 2024, PROGRAM YEAR 2023, PROGRAM YEAR 2022, AND PROGRAM YEAR 2018 ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS 

COMBINED NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT 

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by Somerset County.

Notice is being given that on or about November 5, 2024, the County of Somerset will request that the US Department of Housing and Urban Development release $292,002.00 in Program Year 2024 HOME funds, $300,000.00 in Program Year 2023 HOME funds, $223,909.00 in Program Year 2022 HOME funds, and $7,121.00 in Program Year 2018 HOME funds, to be provided under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act of 1990. 

HOME Program Year 2024 - Listing of Proposed Projects 

Subgrantee	Project	Award
Bellagio Property Management LLC d.b.a. 25 West High Somerville LLC	Acquisition/New Construction of Group Home 25 West High Street Somerville, NJ	$292,002.00
	TOTAL:	$292,002.00

  

HOME Program Year 2023 - Listing of Proposed Projects 

Subgrantee	Project	Award
Bethel Ridge Corp.	New Construction of Group Homes Smith Tract near Apgar Avenue Peapack and Gladstone, NJ	$150,000.00
Natirar Resort Development LLC	Natirar Affordable Housing Smith Tract near Apgar Avenue Peapack and Gladstone, NJ	$150,000.00
	TOTAL:	$300,000.00

  

HOME Program Year 2022 - Listing of Proposed Projects 

Subgrantee	Project	Award
Allies, Inc.	Acquisition/New Construction of Group Home 148 Burnt Hill Road Skillman, NJ	$152,879.00
Natirar Resort Development LLC	Natirar Affordable Housing Smith Tract near Apgar Avenue Peapack and Gladstone, NJ	$71,030.00
	TOTAL:	$223,909.00

  

HOME Program Year 2018 - Listing of Proposed Projects 

Subgrantee	Project	Award
Allies, Inc.	Acquisition/New Construction of Group Home 148 Burnt Hill Road Skillman, NJ	$7,121.00
	TOTAL:	$7,121.00

The County of Somerset has determined that these projects do not represent an action that may significantly affect the quality of the human environment and do not support activities characteristic of a major Federal Action. As these projects are subject to compliance with the provisions of certain statutory requirements as specified in federal regulation 24 CFR 58.5, the County is required to request the release of these funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file and available for public examination and copying upon request at the Somerset County Community Development office on the Fourth Floor of 27 Warren Street in Somerville, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. until November 4, 2024. Requests for copies of the ERR may also be made via e-mail at commdevelop@co.somerset.nj.us or by calling 908-541-5756.

Any individual, group or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the projects may submit written comments to the Somerset County Community Development Office.  Comments may be submitted in writing to the Community Development Office at 27 Warren Street, PO Box 3000, Somerville, NJ 08876 or via e-mail to: commdevelop@co.somerset.nj.us.  All comments received by November 4, 2024 will be considered by the County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.  Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

The County of Somerset is certifying to HUD that the County of Somerset and Shanel Y. Robinson, in her official capacity as Commissioner Director, consent 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. The legal effect of the certification is that, upon HUD’s approval of the certification, the County of Somerset may use Program funds, and HUD will have satisfied its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and related laws and authorities.   

Objections to HUD’s approval of the release of funds and acceptance of the certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) may be made only if it is on one of the following bases: (a) that the certification was not, in fact, executed by the Commissioner Director of Somerset County; (b) that the County's ERR for the project indicates omission of a required decision, finding, or step applicable to the project in the environmental review process; (c) the grant recipient has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before the 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 based on environmental quality.  Objections must be prepared and submitted via email in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the HUD Newark Field Office at CPDRROFNJN@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact the HUD Newark Field Office via email to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Shanel Y. Robinson, Commissioner Director