PUBLIC NOTICE – COUNTY OF HAWAI’I DRAFT SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO ACTION PLAN FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT DISASTER RECOVERY (CDBG-DR) The County of Hawai’i has developed and published a draft Substantial Amendment to its approved Action Plan for the allocation of $23,720,000 in additional funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. The County currently administers $83,841,000 in CDBG-DR funds. HUD allocated these funds to the County of Hawai’i to address impacts related to federally declared disasters in 2018. The Federal Register Notice 85 FR 4681 and applicable prior notices require that funds be used only for specific disaster-related purposes and requires that prior to the obligation of funds, a grantee shall submit a plan detailing the proposed use of all funds within 6 years. The Federal Register Notice 86 FR 569 allocates the additional $23,720,000 in CDBG-DR funds and requires the County prepare a Substantial Amendment to the approved Action Plan to describe the County’s strategy for utilizing CDBG-DR funds to address unmet housing recovery needs within the most disaster impacted areas of the County resulting from volcanic eruption and earthquake events. The primary changes provided within the draft Substantial Amendment include, but are not limited to, the following: Clarification of the Document Purpose and County Contact Information Addition of a Document Version History Identification of Additional Federal Register Notice and Available HUD CDBG-DR Funds Revisions to Funding Received or Anticipated and Unmet Recovery Needs Analysis Results from the Kilauea Recovery Housing Survey Allocation of Additional Funds to the Voluntary Housing Buyout Program Application Phases for the Voluntary Housing Buyout Program Clarification of Program Exceptions, Appeals, Grievances and Optional Relocation Policies The County invites comments on this draft Substantial Amendment to the approved Action Plan from the public during the 30-day public comment period which begins on June 2, 2021, and ends on July 1, 2021. The draft Substantial Amendment can be viewed online at https://recovery.hawaiicounty.gov/. Copies of the draft Substantial Amendment are available for review at 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1301, Hilo, HI 96720. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM, except on holidays. Comments can be submitted: By email to kilauearecovery@hawaiicounty.gov In-person at 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1301, Hilo, HI 96720 during office hours By U.S. mail to 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1301, Hilo, HI 96720 All comments will be given the same consideration regardless of the method of submission. The County of Hawai’i will consider all comments and views expressed by members of the public on the draft Substantial Amendment to the approved Action Plan and may make modifications to the draft, if deemed appropriate. Hawai’i County is committed to the full inclusion of all members of the public in this public comment process without regard to disability or any other classification protected by state or federal law. As part of this commitment, the County of Hawai’i will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations as it pertains to accessing and providing comments to the draft Substantial Amendment. If you are unable to access the draft Substantial Amendment document call (808) 961-8729 or contact kilauearecovery@hawaiicounty.gov. By: DOUGLAS NAM LE, Disaster Recovery Officer HI County is an Equal Opportunity Provider & Employer (HTH/WHT1329210 6/2/21)