Hilo, Hawaiʻi – The County of Hawaiʻi’s Office of Housing & Community Development (OHCD), in conjunction with the State of Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC), has begun the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) Consolidated/Action Plan process for Program Year (PY) 2026. As part of this process, the County will hold two public hearings to gather citizen input.
The purpose of these public hearings is to solicit views and comments from the public on housing and community development needs within the County, as well as to review the past performance of HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
Public Hearing Dates and Locations:
- In-Person Public Hearing:
- Date: August 14, 2025
- Time: 5:00 p.m.
- Place: 1990 Kinoʻole Street, Conference Room 104, Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720
- Virtual Public Hearing via Zoom:
- Date: August 21, 2025
- Time: 12:00 p.m.
- To Register: Go to https://tinyurl.com/3pfvceap
- Dial-in: 1-669-254-5252
- Meeting ID: 161 646 1580
The County encourages all citizens, especially low- and moderate-income individuals, minorities, non-English speakers, and persons with disabilities, to participate in these hearings and share their comments and views. Citizens unable to attend may submit written testimony on their housing and community development needs by August 21, 2025. Testimony can be mailed to Kehaulani Costa, Housing Administrator, 1990 Kinoʻole Street, Suite 102, Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720, or emailed to ohcdcdbg@hawaiicounty.gov.
Persons requiring special accommodation should call the OHCD at (808) 961-8379 at least ten calendar days prior to the hearings to make arrangements.
Call for Project Proposals:
The County of Hawaiʻi is also seeking project proposals from eligible applicants for both its CDBG and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs for inclusion in its 2025 and 2026 Annual Action Plans to HUD.
2026 CDBG Project Proposals: The CDBG program aims to encourage the development of viable communities by providing decent housing, suitable living environments, and expanding economic opportunities for persons of low- and moderate-income. The County anticipates receiving approximately $2,600,000 in PY2026, subject to congressional appropriations. More information on CDBG program criteria, eligibility requirements, and objectives can be found at www.hawaiicounty.gov/cdbg.
2025 and 2026 ESG Project Proposals: The ESG program’s primary objective is to support activities that provide basic shelter and essential supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness or at-risk of becoming homeless. The County is procuring its 2025 allocation of $250,000 and anticipates receiving an additional $250,000 for PY2026, also subject to congressional appropriations. More information on ESG program criteria, eligibility requirements, and objectives can be found at www.hawaiicounty.gov/esg.
CDBG and ESG project applications will be available on the OHCD website (www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov/) starting September 2, 2025, and must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. HST on November 14, 2025. CDBG proposals will only be accepted electronically. ESG proposals can be submitted electronically or as hard copies at the Hilo OHCD office (1990 Kinoʻole Street, Suite 102, Hilo, HI 96720) or the Kona OHCD office (74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway Building B, 2nd Floor, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740).