HUD Environmental Reviews

What is an Environmental Review?

A HUD environmental review is the process of reviewing a proposed project and its potential environmental impacts to determine whether it meets federal funding requirements.

The HUD environmental review process is required for proposed projects that wish to apply for specific HUD funding programs, including HOME, CDBG, and project-based Housing Choice Vouchers, to ensure that the proposed project does not negatively impact the surrounding environment and that the property site itself will not have an adverse environmental or health effect on end users, per federal funding environmental review guidelines. Not every proposed project is subject to a full environmental review (i.e., every project's environmental impact must be examined, but the extent of this examination varies), but every proposed project must be in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Consultant services are often needed to complete an environmental review, including but not limited to:

• Archeologist or Cultural Specialist
• Acoustic Engineer
• Civil Engineer
• Environmental Consultant
• Historic Preservation Architect or Specialist

Responsible Entity (RE)

For agencies and projects in Multnomah County, City of Portland, and City of Gresham:

Portland Housing Bureau
1900 SW 4^th Ave, Ste 7007
Portland, OR 97201

Certifying Officer

Please reach out with questions to:

Anna Shook
anna.shook@portlandoregon.gov
503-823-2802

Submit request for an Environmental Review

Select a form for the project type. Plan ahead to ensure timely access to grant funding.

Tier 2 programs require 7 days.

Homebuyer

Home repair

Lead-based paint abatement

Multi-family projects require at least 120 days. 

Multi-family

Help and instructions

View documentation checklist, timeline, and more

Multi-family projects only: 
Project description

HUD Resources

Resources from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and HUD Exchange website.

• Environmental Guidance for Region 10 (Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska)
• HUD Environmental Review Resources
• Environmental Assessment Factors and Categories eGuide
• 24 CFR Part 58
  Legal authority, rules and responsibilities for local governments to certify environmental reviews.
• Related federal laws and authorities
• Frequently Asked Question

What to expect in an Environmental Review process

Review the information needed for your request form. Having all the right information collected in advance will make filling in the form much easier.

• Begin the request process in advance of the date you wish to access grant funding.
• Multi-family projects only: Project Description
• Level of Environmental Review
  • Exempt
  • Categorically Excluded – Not Subject to Laws and Authorities
  • Categorically Excluded – Subject to Laws and Authorities
  • Environmental Assessment
• Requests for consultation with other governmental entities, including documentation needed for that process, such as:
  • Fish and Wildlife Service
  • NOAA National Marine and Fisheries Service, West Coast region
  • Native American tribal governments in Oregon
  • State Historic Preservation Office