NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS January 6, 2022 County of Hawaii Office of Housing and Community Development 1990 Kino’ole Street, Suite 102 Hilo, Hawai’i 96720 (808) 961-8379 These Notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the County of Hawaii Office of Housing and Community Development. REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about January 22, 2022, the County of Hawaii, Office of Housing and Community Development, will submit a request to the State of Hawaii’s Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) for the release of the 2021 HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program funds ($2,250,000), and the 2021 Housing Trust Funds (HTF) Program funds ($3,132,873) to undertake a project known as Hale Na Koa ‘O Hanakahi (A.K.A. West Kawili Street Senior/Veteran Housing) for the purpose of 92 affordable rental units for qualifying low income, senior/elderly households with preference to: (a) veterans and their spouses; and (b) spouses of deceased veterans to reside within TMK plat (3) 2-4-057:030, located in central Hilo within the County of Hawai’i. This would include rental assistance for qualifying residential households at or below 50% Area Median Income (AMI), with preference given to veterans and spouses of deceased veterans. Seniors are defined as individuals 62 years of age or above, and households whose head, cohead, spouse, or sole member meets this definition. The proposed project includes the construction of 92 new affordable senior rental housing units, 175 parking stalls, and an approximately 7,342 square foot community center located on Tax Map Key (TMK) (3) 2-4-057:030, and access easements at Ululani Street granted to EAH (Ecumenical Association for Housing) Housing on portions of TMK: (3) 2-4-057:031, Waiakea Ahupua’a, South Hilo District, Island of Hawai’i. The total project footprint will be 102,011 square feet of the 244,589 square foot lot. Unit sizes will range from 778 SF to 924 SF. Infrastructure improvements include but not limited to connection to existing water, wastewater, electrical, and telecommunication systems will be conducted as necessary where required. The HUD funding amount is anticipated to be $16,422,973 including HOME, Housing Trust Funds, and Project Based Vouchers. FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The County of Hawai’i has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/departments/office-of-housing PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the ERR may submit written comments to the County of Hawai’i, Office of Housing and Community Development (1990 Kino’ole Street, Suite 102, Hilo, Hawai’i 96720 or 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Bldg B, 2ND Floor, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740). All comments must be received by January 22, 2022 and will be considered by the County of Hawaii prior to the submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. RELEASE OF FUNDS The County of Hawaii certifies to HHFDC that Susan K. Kunz, in her capacity as Housing Administrator consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HHFDC’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the County of Hawaii to use Program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HHFDC will consider objections to the County of Hawaii’s Request for Release of Funds for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if it is on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the County of Hawaii; (b) the County of Hawaii has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the project have committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by the HHFDC; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58) and shall be addressed to Denise Iseri-Matsubara, Executive Director Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, 677 Queen Street, Suite 300, Honolulu, HI 96813. Potential objectors should contact HHFDC to verify the actual last day of the objection period. COUNTY OF HAWAI’I OFFICE OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT By: SUSAN K. KUNZ, HOUSING ADMINISTRATOR (HTH1355952 1/6/22)