NOTICE OF VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING
(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 2021-2022 (PY2021), as part of the Consolidated Plan (CP) process. In preparation for this AAP, HHFDC will consult with local governments and residents at public hearings in each county. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations for social distancing, public hearings will be held by electronic means. HHFDC will hold virtual public hearings for the City and County of Honolulu and the County of Maui, as follows:
o Honolulu: Friday, December 11, 2020 at 10:00 a.m., (to be held jointly with the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Budget and Fiscal Services); and
o Maui: Monday, December 14, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
Connectivity information on attending the virtual public hearings follow:
Join on your computer or mobile app: See Notice of Public Hearing on HHFDC’s website at www.dbedt.hawaii.gov/hhfdc
Or call in (audio only):
– Honolulu: Friday, December 11, 2020 at 10:00 am. +1 808-829-4853,
o Phone Conference ID: 756 759 829#
– Maui: Monday, December 14, 2020 at 10:00 am. +1 808-829-4853,
o Phone Conference ID: 355 290 318#
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 PY2021, 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 expected under the HTF program, which may be used in the Counties of Hawaii, Kauai and 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, restrict increases in homelessness, and provide preventative programs and activities for the homeless 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 is also available for public viewing at the following public libraries (subject to their respective hours of operation, which may have been adjusted due to the COVID-19 pandemic): 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. To receive a copy by mail, interested parties may email a request to HHFDC.ConsolidatedPlan@hawaii.gov or by calling 587-0634. Neighbor Island residents may call the toll free numbers below, ext. 70634:
From Kauai: 274-3141 From Maui: 984-2400
From Molokai/Lanai: 1-800-468-4644 From Hawaii: 974-4000
Interested persons are invited to attend the virtual hearings and state their views, orally or in writing, related to the housing needs to be considered in developing the State’s AAP.
Please submit written testimony to HHFDC via email to hhfdc.consolidatedplan@hawaii.gov, by 4:30 p.m. on the day of the hearing. Comments and testimony received will be considered in preparing the final State 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 by December 1, 2020 at 587-0501, by email at hhfdchr@hawaii.gov. Prompt requests help to ensure the availability of appropriate accommodations.
The 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
(SA1304101 11/25/2020
