NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT
Pursuant to 24 CFR Part 91, notice is given that a draft Annual Action Plan (AAP) for Program Year 2021 (PY2021), covering the period from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, has been prepared by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC), Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, State of Hawaii. The HHFDC is making copies of the draft AAP available for review and comment.
HHFDC administers HUD’s HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) and National Housing Trust Fund (HTF) programs. The State’s Homeless Programs Office of the Department of Human Services’ Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (DHS-BESSD) administers HUD’s Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) programs. These HUD programs provide funding to expand the supply of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families, restrict increases in preventative programs and activities for the homeless in the State.
The AAP’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. For PY2021, the State of Hawaii anticipates receiving approximately $3,000,000 in HOME funds, $3,000,000 in HTF funds, $444,100 in ESG funds, and $270,474 in HOPWA funds.
HHFDC and DHS-BESSD completed the draft PY2021 AAP to prepare for proposed projects and programs supported with HOME, HTF, ESG and HOPWA funds. The draft P2021 AAP includes information on available resources and a description of the State’s method for disbursing funds to local governments and nonprofit organizations to carry out activities to address the priority of needs.
Copies of the draft AAP are available for public viewing at depository libraries and on the HHFDC’s website at http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/hhfdc. Due to health and safety concerns caused by the global Coronavirus outbreak, state and county housing agencies, where the draft AAP would normally be available for review, may be taking precautionary measures by closing their offices to the public. Interested persons are strongly encouraged to view the draft AAP electronically on HHFDC’s website (http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/hhfdc). You may also call (808) 587-0634 to be mailed a copy of the draft AAP. Neighbor island residents may call toll free at the numbers listed below:
From Kauai: 274-3141, ext. 70634 From Hawaii Island: 974-4000, ext. 70634
From Maui: 984-2400, ext. 70634 From Molokai/Lanai: 1-800-468-4644, ext. 70634
Interested persons are invited to state their views on the draft AAP in writing no later than April 11, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. to HHFDC at 677 Queen Street, Suite 300, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813. Written comments may also be submitted via email to hhfdc.consolidatedplan@hawaii.gov or by fax to (808) 587-0600 by April 11, 2021. All comments received by the deadline will be considered in preparing the final PY2021 AAP.
Persons with special needs (e.g., needing a copy of the proposed AAP in large print or taped) may contact HHFDC’s Human Resources Office at 587-0501, by written request, or by email to hhfdchr@hawaii.gov by March 22, 2021. Prompt requests help to ensure the availability of appropriate accommodations. Persons on the neighbor islands may call the following toll-free numbers:
From Kauai, 274-3141, ext. 70501 From Hawaii, 974-4000, ext. 70501
From Maui, 984-2400, ext. 70501 From Molokai & Lanai, 1-800-468-4644, ext. 70501
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, Executive Director
(SA1317812 3/12/21)
