Environmental Justice

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Question:
Is it necessary for the environmental review for a HUD-assisted project to evaluate environmental justice issues?

Answer:
Executive Order 12898 - "Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low Income Populations" is cited in HUD environmental regulations at 24 CFR 50.4(l) and 24 CFR 58.5(j). Generally, this Order applies to low-income or minority neighborhoods where the HUD assisted project proposes the acquisition of existing housing, the acquisition of land for development, and new construction. Environmental justice issues may include, but are not limited to new, continued or historically disproportionate potential for high and adverse human health and environmental effects on minority or low-income populations. The environmental review must determine if the proposed site or neighborhood suffers from disproportionate adverse health and environmental effects relative to the community at large. If the project is likely to raise environmental justice issues and has the potential for new or continued disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects on minority or low-income populations, the environmental review must consider mitigation or avoidance of adverse impacts from the project to the extent practicable.

Information on Environmental Justice

The Environmental Protection Agency is the lead Federal agency and its Office of Environmental Justice provides technical assistance, courses, guidance, and grants in support of Environmental Justice.