Hilo, Hawaiʻi – The State of Hawaiʻi, through the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC), is preparing its Annual Action Plan (AAP) for Program Year 2025-2026 (PY2026). As part of this process, HHFDC will hold public hearings across the state to consult with local governments and residents on housing and related needs, including specific hearings for Hawaiʻi County.
The Consolidated Plan (CP) process aims to ensure that jurisdictions receiving federal assistance plan for the housing and related needs of low- and moderate-income families, promoting the availability and affordability of decent, safe, and sanitary housing in suitable living environments. To receive funding from certain U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs, the State must have a HUD-approved housing strategy. The AAP will detail the State’s funding plans and certify compliance for various HUD programs.
For Hawaiʻi County, HHFDC will conduct virtual and in-person hearings in conjunction with the County’s Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD):
Hawaiʻi County Public Hearings:
- In-Person Public Hearing:
- Date: Thursday, August 14, 2025
- Time: 5:00 p.m.
- Place: OHCD, Existing Housing Conference Room, 1990 Kinoʻole Street, Suite 104, Hilo, Hawaiʻi
- Virtual Public Hearing:
- Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
- Time: 12:00 p.m.
- To Join via computer or mobile app: See Notice of Public Hearing on HHFDC’s website at www.dbedt.hawaii.gov/hhfdc
- To Call in (audio only): +1 669-254-5252, Meeting ID: 161 646 1580
Anticipated Federal Funding for PY2026: For Program Year 2026, the State anticipates receiving significant federal funding to support affordable housing initiatives:
- Approximately $3,000,000 in HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) funds, primarily for Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi, and Maui counties.
- Approximately $3,000,000 under the National Housing Trust Fund (HTF) program, which may be used in any county.
- Approximately $1,000,000 under the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program, also usable in any county.
These HUD programs provide funding to expand the supply of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families, reduce homelessness, and support preventative programs for homeless individuals and families statewide.
Providing Comments and Testimony: Interested persons are invited to attend the hearings and state their views, either orally or in writing, regarding the housing and homeless needs to be considered in developing the State’s AAP. For written testimony submitted at the hearing, five copies should be made available to the presiding officer.
Written testimony can also be submitted via email to hhfdc.consolidatedplan@hawaii.gov, by U.S. mail to HHFDC; 677 Queen Street, Suite 300; Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, 96813, or by fax to (808) 587-0600 by 4:30 p.m. on the day of the hearing. All comments and testimony received will be considered in preparing the final AAP.
An informational packet describing the HOME, HTF, and HOPWA programs is posted on HHFDC’s website (http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/hhfdc) and is available for public viewing at various public libraries across the state, including Hilo (Hawaiʻi Island), Lihue (Kauaʻi), Kahului (Maui), and several locations on Oʻahu. Copies may also be picked up at HHFDC offices in Honolulu or at the County of Hawaiʻi OHCD offices in Hilo (1990 Kinoʻole Street, Suite 102) or Kailua-Kona (74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building B). To receive a copy by mail, call (808) 587-0577 (or toll-free extensions for Neighbor Islands, including (808) 974-4000 from Hawaiʻi Island).
For access or communication assistance, or other accommodations due to a disability (e.g., large print, taped materials, sign language interpreter, or translator), 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.
HHFDC states that it does not discriminate against any person based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity or expression), sexual orientation, disability, familial status, ancestry, age, marital status, or HIV status.