NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Pursuant to 24 CFR Part 903.17, the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA), Department of Human Services, hereby provides notice that it will hold public hearings on the Amended Public Housing Agency (PHA) Annual Plan for Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
Background: The HPHA’s PHA Annual Plan for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 was submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on April 8, 2022 and approved on May 4, 2022.
Pursuant to the HPHA’s rules and as stated in the HPHA’s PHA Annual Plan for Fiscal Year 2022-2023, a significant amendment or modification to the PHA Plan is considered any
(1) addition or elimination of a major strategy, policy, or program to address housing needs; or
(2) modification of a strategy such that a substantial transfer of resources away from other strategies would be necessary. Pursuant to 24 CFR Part 903.21, each significant amendment or modification to a plan submitted to HUD is subject to the requirements of 24 CFR Parts 903.13, 903.15, and 905.17.
Proposed Amendments: Under the revised plan, the HPHA intends to
(1) change the method of conducting rent reasonableness for the Housing Choice Voucher Program;
(2) temporarily or permanently close certain areas of public housing properties to discourage criminal and illicit activity;
(3) include a list of public housing properties with dwelling units available for occupancy by police officers;
(4) revise and ensure policies are consistent between the Admission and Continued Occupancy Policy, Section 8 Administrative Plan, and the Authority’s administrative rules;
(5) apply for various HUD waivers that will benefit Section 8 program participants; and
(6) include the HPHA’s MTW Supplement as an attachment.
The HPHA also intends to include its Moving to Work (MTW) Supplement for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 as an attachment to this Annual PHA Plan. Submittal of the MTW Supplement is a requirement for all expansion PHAs participating in the MTW Demonstration Program. An MTW Supplement provides information on all MTW-related policies, waivers, and activities a PHA has implemented or will implement in the future. The HPHA’s MTW Supplement seeks HUD approval for four new MTW activities:
(1) Signing Bonus Payments [MTW Waiver 4.c.] as a one-time incentive for new landlords participating in the Section 8 Program;
(2) Vacancy Loss Payments [MTW Waiver 4.a., Cohort Waiver 4.2.] for vacancies experienced prior to the initial rental or between rentals of a dwelling unit to a Section 8 program participant;
(3) Initial Inspection Flexibility [Cohort Waiver 4.1.] which waives the requirement to conduct a Housing Quality Standards inspection prior to the start of tenancy in certain instances; and
(4) an Alternative Accommodations Transfer Program [Agency-Specific Waiver] to expedite transfer for families with approved reasonable accommodations requests or with members experiencing domestic violence. For more information on the MTW Demonstration Program, please see the MTW Operations Notice, published in the Federal Register under FR-5994-N-05.
Public Review: The HPHA’s Draft Amended PHA Annual Plan for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 is available for public viewing at the HPHA’s School Street Campus and its site management offices on weekdays between 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
HPHA’s Administrative and Section 8 Offices, 1002 N. School Street, Honolulu
Oahu: Puuwai Momi Office, 99-132 Kohomua Street, Aiea
Oahu: Kalihi Valley Homes Office, 2250 Kalena Drive, Honolulu
Oahu: Mayor Wright Homes Office, 521 North Kukui Street, Honolulu
Oahu: Kalakaua Homes Office, 1545 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu
Oahu: Kalanihuia Office, 1220 Aala Street, Honolulu
Oahu: Hale Poai Office, 1001 North School Street, Honolulu
Oahu: Waimaha Sunflower Office: 85-186 McArthur Street, Waianae
Oahu: Koolau Village Office: 45-1027 Kamau Place, Kaneohe
Oahu: Kauhale Nani Office: 310 North Cane Street, Wahiawa
Oahu: Palolo Valley Homes Office: 2107 Ahe Street, Honolulu
Oahu: Kuhio Homes Office: 1475 Linapuni Street, Honolulu
Hawaii: Lanakila Homes Office, 600 Wailoa Street, Hilo
Hawaii: Ka Hale Kahaluu Office, 78-6725 Makolea Street, Kailua-Kona
Hawaii: Noelani II Office, 65-1191 Opelo Road, Kamuela
Kauai: Kapaa Office, 4726 Malu Road, Kapaa
Maui: Kahekili Terrace, 2015 Holowai Place, Wailuku
Molokai: Kahale Mua, Maunaloa, Molokai
The draft is also available on the HPHA’s website at:
http://www.hpha.hawaii.gov/housingplans/index.htm
Public Hearing: The public may participate in the Public Hearing electronically via Zoom using the following link:
CLICK HERE!
When prompted, enter the Meeting ID: 847 7306 3087 and the Password: 1awrYU.
Alternatively, the public may also participate via telephone by calling 1-669- 900-6833. When prompted, callers should enter the Meeting ID: 847 7306 3087 and the Password: 229214. The HPHA requests that meeting participants change the display on their device to show their first and last name. Public hearing will take place on: Monday, December 5, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.
Physical Meeting Location:
The public may also attend the public hearing at 1002 North School Street, Building A conference room, Honolulu, HI 96817, which will be connected via Zoom to the remote meeting. All interested persons are invited to provide oral or written comments on the HPHA’s Draft Amended PHA Annual Plan for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. All comments received will be considered and incorporated appropriately into the amended plan. Oral comments may be presented during the public hearing. Persons who cannot attend the hearing and prefer not to provide written comments may call (808) 436-7183 to submit their comments as a voicemail message.
Written comments may be presented to the presiding officer at the public hearing, or mailed to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Attention: Amended PHA Plan, at 1002 North School Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817. Written comments may also be faxed to (808) 832-4679 or sent by electronic mail to hpha@hawaii.gov.
Written comments not presented at the public hearing should be received by the HPHA’s Administrative Office by 4:30 p.m. Monday, December 5, 2022. Any person requiring assistance to participate, such as large print, taped materials, interpreters for sign language or limited English proficiency, etc., should make a request to HPHA at least ten working days prior to the public hearing in order to allow time to make arrangements. Requests can be made by writing to HPHA at the address above or by calling (808) 832-4693. HAKIM OUANSAFI
