# Transmittal Letters

1.  Notification on environmental procedures

Dear \[Applicant\]:

RE: Environmental reviews under the Housing Opportunities for Persons
With AIDS (HOPWA) Program.

I am writing to inform you that any new project being supported with
these federal funds may require an environmental review, which must be
completed before HUD funds can be committed or expended. Once the
environmental review has been completed, please submit Form HUD-7015.15,
the Request for Release of Funds (enclosed), to this office. HUD will
not release funds to the project until this form has been submitted and
HUD in turn has notified you that the request is approved. If the
recipient is a state or unit of general local government, then the
recipient must complete all three parts of Form HUD-7015.15. Please
complete the form and submit it to this HUD office *after* the
environmental review has been completed and any required notices are
published. Only units of general local government can assume
responsibility for environmental reviews under 24 CFR Part 58. Sponsors
can supply the required information to the responsible entity to prepare
the review.

If the new project requires an environmental assessment per part 58.36,
p*lease note that this process does take time*; the public notice and
comment requirements take 30 days after the assessment is prepared.
HUD's web site has helpful information on these environmental review
requirements at: <http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/environment/index.cfm>.

> However, if the new project does not require an environmental review,
> as it does not involve the use of a new property or facility site, it
> is necessary to file of an exemption to an environmental review, which
> must be completed before HUD funds can be committed or expended. Where
> a responsible entity makes an environmental finding of exemption for a
> site in accordance with § 58.34(a)(12) and (b), then that finding of
> exemption may be submitted by the recipient to the field office in
> lieu of Form HUD-7015.15, the Request for Release of Funds, to this
> office. HUD will not release funds to the project until this form has
> been submitted and HUD in turn has notified you that the request is
> approved.
>
> If you have any questions or would like assistance proceeding with the
> environmental assessment, please contact \_\_\_\_\_ in this office.

2\. Notification of Funding Approval - Transmittal of 2005 Performance
Grant Agreements \[edit as needed or incorporate in general con plan
notices\]

Dear \[Applicant\]:

SUBJECT: Notification of HOPWA Funding Approval for Project Number:

I am pleased to inform you that your FY2005 Consolidated Plan, including
elements under the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA)
Program, has received final funding approval. I am sure you appreciate
the need for prompt action in using these funds to assist persons living
with HIV/AIDS and their families address housing needs.

Upon execution of the HOPWA Performance Grant Agreement by you and the
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), HUD will make
available funds in the amount of \$\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. These
funds were approved for the activities that were proposed in your 2005
HOPWA action plan, based on the planned use of funds. Enclosed are three
copies of the HOPWA Grant Agreement that constitutes the agreement
between you and HUD. You must sign all three copies and return two of
them to this office and retain one for your files.

The Department looks forward to continuing this partnership in using
HOPWA funding in your community as you undertake the planned use of
these housing resources. The Department has established national HOPWA
program goal that measures the number of households receiving housing
assistance with HOPWA funds. After the close of the year, grant
recipients must provide HUD and the public with their actual
accomplishments by submitting summary information in a Consolidated
Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) and in providing
completed program accomplishment data for the year in IDIS. These
reports have been supplemented with verification reports from HUD to
ensure that accurate and complete information on your accomplishments is
obtained, such as the data on beneficiaries, types of activities and
expenditures.

In future years, HUD and HOPWA recipients will also be reviewing results
in achieving client outcomes. This is expected to be seen in how HOPWA
beneficiaries are able to better establish more stable housing
arrangements, reducing their risks of homelessness and improving access
healthcare and other support. HUD expects to issue update the HOPWA
report forms later this year and please see the following website for
more details on these proposed changes:

<http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/aidshousing/programs/2005proposedreqs.cfm>

Thank you for your commitment to use these federal funds in a responsive
and accountable manner to address unmet needs in your community. If you
have any questions or need assistance, please contact \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
of this office on \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.

Thank you for your participation in the HOPWA program.

Sincerely,

Director

> Office of Community Planning

and Development

Enclosures