Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year Floodplain To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals This is to give notice that the West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF) under Part 58 has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management, to determine the potential affect that its activity in the floodplain and wetland will have on the human environment for HOME Investment Partnerships Program under Grant M21-SP540100. The purpose of the project is to construct five buildings containing a total of 20 units and infrastructure at 1829 Spring Valley Drive, Huntington, Wayne County, WV 25704, that will be known as House of Hope, which will provide rental housing to HOME American Rescue Plan Qualifying Populations. The project site will consist of approximately 4.06 acres; less than approximately one acre in the northern portion of the site is in Flood Zone A, also known as the 100-year floodplain. The northern portion of the parcel is where the creek crosses the site, and it is not located in any areas where the buildings or parking lots are being constructed. The proposed buildings and parking lots will not be in Flood Zone A; a portion of the proposed infrastructure (road, culvert, and sanitary sewer) will be in Flood Zone A. WVHDF has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values: Alternative 1: Locate the Project to another site that is not within the floodplain. Locating the project to another site, not in the floodplain would involve the difficult task of finding a suitable, approximate 4.06-acre site, in proximity to the current site and increase project costs greater than the total project costs on the current parcel, which represent extraordinary challenges. Therefore, Alternative 1 is impracticable. Alternative 2: Eliminate HOME ARP from the project's funding sources. Eliminating the HOME ARP funds from the project's funding sources would cause the Project to be fiscally infeasible. Therefore, Alternative 2 is impracticable. Alternative 3: Include an appropriately placed and sized culvert and comply with applicable Wayne County floodplain zoning ordinances. Alternative 3 is practicable. WVHDF has reevaluated the three-preceding alternatives regarding the construction of the Project in the floodplain. WVHDF has determined that Alternative 3, including an appropriately placed and sized culvert and compliance with the applicable Wayne County floodplain zoning ordinances to be the practicable alternative. Environmental files that document compliance with steps 3 through 6 of Executive Order 11988, are available for review either electronically or by U.S. mail. Please submit your request by email to [email protected] or U.S. mail to WVHDF, 5710 MacCorkle Ave., SE, Charleston, WV 25304. There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplains, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. Written comments must be received by the WVHDF at the following address on or before November 1, 2025. WVHDF, 5710 MacCorkle Ave., SE, Charleston, WV 25304, Attention: Nathan E. Testman, Interim Executive Director or via [email protected]. A full description of the project may also be reviewed either electronically or by U.S. mail at the previously listed addresses. LH-364910 10-24;2025