NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS AND REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII’S 2023 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP-AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN (HOME-ARP) PROGRAMS

The County of Hawaii’s Office of Housing & Community Development (OHCD) and the State of Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) is beginning its 2023 Consolidated/Action Plan process for the aforementioned programs.

As required by federal regulations, the County, in conjunction with the State, will hold public hearings on the following dates:

2023 Virtual Public Hearing
August 16, 2022 at 10:00 am via Zoom
Registration is required to attend.  Please register HERE

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

2023 In Person Public Hearing
August 25, 2022 at 1:00 pm
1990 Kinoʻole Street, Conference Room 104 Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720

The purpose of these Public Hearings is to hear views and comments from citizens on housing and community development needs and the past performance of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) CDBG, HOME Investment Partnership (HOME), and National Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Programs.

The County encourages its citizens, especially persons of low and moderate income, minorities and non-English speaking persons, as well as persons with disabilities, to participate in the Public Hearings and share their comments and views.

Persons requiring special needs may call the OHCD at V/TT 808-961-8379 at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the hearings so arrangements may be made to accommodate them. Citizens who are unable to attend these hearings may submit by fax (808-961-8685) testimony pertaining to their housing and community development needs by August 25, 2022 to Susan Kunz, Housing Administrator, Office of Housing and Community Development, 1990 Kinoole Street, Suite 102, Hilo, Hawaii 96720.

The County’s five-year 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan (CP) describes the County’s housing and community development needs, funding plans, priorities and objectives, and includes the County’s Annual Action Plan for the use of CDBG/HOME/HTF Program funds. The County of Hawaii is, therefore, seeking project proposals from eligible applicants to include in its 2023 Annual Action Plan to HUD.

2023 CDBG PROJECT PROPOSALS:

The County expects to receive approximately $2,600,000 for its CDBG Program. Under the CDBG program, grants or loan assistance may be used by eligible public agencies, private non-profit organizations, and Community Based Development Organizations (CBDO) (non-profit organization) for eligible activities provided that these activities either

1) principally benefit low and moderate income families,
2) aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight, or

3) meet other community development needs having a particular urgency.

All project proposals submitted to the OHCD must comply with the program criteria, meet eligibility requirements, program objectives, and be consistent with the County’s priorities and objectives contained in the County’s 2020-2024 CP.

HOME-ARP PROJECT PROPOSALS:

HOME-American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) was established under section 3205 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. 117-2) for the HOME Program to provide homelessness assistance and supportive services. These funds are administered by the County through the State HHFDC whose HOME-ARP allocation plan provides for the distribution of HOME-ARP funds for the acquisition, rehabilitation, or construction of affordable rental housing primarily for “Qualifying Populations”.

“Qualifying Population” means individuals or families who are

(1) homeless;

(2) at risk of homelessness;

(3) fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking;

(4) other populations where providing supportive services or assistance would prevent the family’s homelessness or would serve those with the greatest risk of housing instability; or

(5) veterans and families that include a veteran family member that meet the criteria in one of (1)-(4) above.

The total amount of HOME-ARP funds to be allocated to Hawaii County shall be $1,977,568. The proposal forms and federal guidelines covering the eligible activities will be available at the OHCD website at https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/office-of-housing and at the following locations beginning September 1, 2022, Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on holidays. Proposal forms will also be mailed upon request.

All original project proposals and two (2) copies must be received by 4:30 p.m. on November 15, 2022 at the following locations:

OFFICE OF HOUSING AND OFFICE OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Kinoole Plaza
1990 Kinoole Street, Suite 102
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Phone: 808-961-8379