NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
(for consultation on housing needs)
Pursuant to 24 CFR Part 91, notice is hereby given that the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC), Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, State of Hawaii, will prepare an Annual Action Plan (AAP) for Program Year 2023-2024 (PY2023), as part of the Consolidated Plan (CP) process. In preparation for this AAP, HHFDC will consult with local governments and residents at public hearings to be held in each county. In the County of Hawaii, HHFDC will conduct virtual and in-person hearings with the County of Hawaii’s Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) as follows:
Virtual Public Hearing:
Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.
Connectivity information on attending the virtual public hearing can be found at https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/office-of-housing.
In-Person Public Hearing:
Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the County of Hawaii’s Office of Housing and Community Development, Existing Housing Conference Room, 1990 Kinoole Street, Suite 104, Hilo, Hawaii
The CP’s purpose is to ensure that jurisdictions receiving federal assistance plan for the housing and related needs of low- and moderate-income families in a way that improves the availability and affordability of decent, safe, and sanitary housing in suitable living environments. To receive funding under certain U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs, the State must have a housing strategy that has been approved by HUD.
The AAP describes the State’s funding plans for the coming program year and certifies program compliance with the CP, HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), National Housing Trust Fund (HTF), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) programs.
For PY2023, the State anticipates receiving approximately $3,000,000 in HOME funds, $450,000 in ESG funds, and $250,000 in HOPWA funds, for use primarily in the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui. Approximately $3,000,000 is anticipated under the HTF program, which may be used in the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and the City and County of Honolulu. These HUD programs provide funding to expand the supply of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families, reduce homelessness, and provide preventative programs and activities for homeless individuals and families in the State.
An informational packet describing the HOME, HTF, ESG, and HOPWA programs is posted on HHFDC’s website at http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/hhfdc and available for public viewing at the following public libraries: Hilo, Island of Hawaii; Lihue, Island of Kauai; Kahului, Island of Maui; Kaimuki, Kaneohe, Pearl City, Hawaii State Library’s Documents Center, and UH Library’s Serials Receiving, Island of Oahu. A copy may also be picked up at the agencies listed below between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from Monday through Friday (except for weekends and State holidays).
AGENCIES:
HHFDC, 677 Queen Street, Suite 300, Honolulu, Oahu
County of Hawaii
Office of Housing and Community Development
1990 Kinoole Street, Suite 102, Hilo, Hawaii or
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building B, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
To receive a copy by mail, interested persons may call (808) 587-0634; neighbor island county residents may call toll free, extension 70634:
From Kauai: (808) 274-3141 From Maui: (808) 984-2400
From Molokai/Lanai: 1-800-468-4644 From Hawaii: (808) 974-4000
Interested persons are invited to attend the hearings and state their views, orally or in writing, related to the housing and homeless needs to be considered in developing the State’s AAP.
Please make five copies of written testimony available to the presiding officer at the hearing. Written testimony may also be submitted via email to hhfdc.consolidatedplan@hawaii.gov, by U. S. mail to HHFDC, 677 Queen Street, Suite 300, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813, or by fax to (808) 587-0600 by 4:30 p.m. on the day of the hearing. Comments and testimony received will be considered in preparing the State’s final AAP.
If access or communication assistance and/or services (e.g., large print, taped materials, sign language interpreter, or translator) are required to participate in this public hearing, please contact HHFDC’s Human Resources Office at (808) 587-0501, by email at hhfdchr@hawaii.gov, by fax at (808) 587-0600, or by written request at least ten business days before the hearing. Prompt requests help to ensure the availability of appropriate accommodations.
HHFDC does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, including gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, familial status, ancestry, age, marital status, or HIV infection.
Denise Iseri-Matsubara, HHFDC Executive Director