NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT
On the Draft Substantial Amendment No. 1 to the
PY2021 Annual Action Plan
Pursuant to 24 CFR Part 91, the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC), Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, State of Hawaii, gives notice that a draft Substantial Amendment No. 1 to the Consolidated Plan Annual Action Plan (AAP) for program year July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022 (PY2021) has been prepared. HHFDC is making the document available for review and comment.
The purpose of the Consolidated Plan and the AAP 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.
HHFDC administers HUD’s HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program and gives notice of a draft Substantial Amendment No. 1 to its PY2021 AAP to identify and incorporate an eligible activity in the County of Hawaii to utilize PY2021 HOME funds. The County of Hawaii, as HHFDC’s State Recipient of HOME funds, initially identified its Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program and the University Heights Home Reconstruction (University Heights) project to receive its PY2021 allocation of HOME funds. The County has since received other funds to support these projects and therefore intends to award its PY2021 HOME funds of $2,250,000 to the Hale Na Koa ‘O Hanakahi (Hanakahi) new construction project, formerly known as West Kawili Street Senior/Veteran Housing. The Hanakahi project is located in Hilo and will provide 91 one-bedroom affordable rental units along with a two-bedroom Manager’s unit, for seniors/veterans with extremely low-, low-, and moderate-income households. Of the 91 units, fourteen will be HOME-assisted. Substantial Amendment No. 1 removes the TBRA and University Heights projects from the PY2021 AAP and adds the Hanakahi project to the PY2021 AAP.
Draft Substantial Amendment No. 1 to the PY2021 AAP is available for review at depository libraries and may be accessed from HHFDC’s website at http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/hhfdc. To be mailed copies, interested persons may call 587-0634; Neighbor Island residents may call toll-free at the numbers listed below:
From Kauai: 274-3141, ext. 70634 From Hawaii: 974-4000, ext. 70634
From Maui: 984-2400, ext. 70634 From Molokai/Lanai:
1-800-468-4644, ext. 70634
Interested persons are invited to provide written comments on the draft Substantial Amendment via email to HHFDC.ConsolidatedPlan@hawaii.gov by November 12, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. All written comments will be considered in preparing the final Substantial Amendment.
If access or communication assistance and/or services (e.g., large print or taped materials) are required, please contact HHFDC’s Human Resources Office at 587-0501, by written request, or by email to hhfdchr@hawaii.gov by October 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, HHFDC Executive Director
(SA1345689 10/14/21)