NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT on Draft Substantial Amendment No. 2 to the Annual Action Plan for Program Year 2021 The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 appropriated $5 billion to help communities provide housing, shelter, and services for people experiencing homelessness and other qualifying populations. Under the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) HOME Investment Partnerships Program American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP), the State of Hawaii, through its Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, is eligible to receive $6,413,733 in HOME-ARP funds to address homeless needs through the creation of affordable housing or non-congregate shelter units and by providing tenant-based rental assistance or supportive services. For HHFDC to receive HOME-ARP funds, the state must submit, for HUD’s review, a HOME-ARP allocation plan as a substantial amendment to its Program Year 2021 (PY2021) Annual Action Plan (AAP). In accordance with HUD’s implementing rules for the HOME-ARP program, to develop its HOME-ARP allocation plan, HHFDC consulted with agencies and organizations including but not limited to, Bridging the Gap (the Continuum of Care for the neighbor island counties), neighbor island service providers addressing homelessness and domestic violence issues, agencies addressing fair housing and civil rights issues, and the housing agencies in Hawaii, Kauai and Maui counties. As the City and County of Honolulu is eligible to receive its own HOME-ARP funds, HHFDC proposes to utilize the HOME-ARP funds in the neighbor island counties of Hawaii, Kauai and Maui. The proposed distribution and eligible activities are listed below: COUNTY OF HAWAII: Acquisition, production, or rehabilitation of Affordable Rental Housing: $1,817,225 Administration: $160,343 COUNTY OF KAUAI: Acquisition, production, or rehabilitation of Affordable Rental Housing: $1,817,225 Administration: $160,343 COUNTY OF MAUI: Acquisition, production, or rehabilitation of Affordable Rental Housing: $1,947,568. Administration: $30,000 HHFDC ADMINISTRATION: $481,029 Pursuant to 24 CFR Part 91 and HUD’s Notice CPD-21-10, HHFDC gives notice of the Draft Substantial Amendment No. 2 to its PY2021 AAP, to include the HOME-ARP allocation plan, which includes the above funding and activities. The Draft Substantial Amendment No. 2 to the PY2021 AAP, which includes the Draft HOME-ARP Allocation Plan, is posted to HHFDC’s website at http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/hhfdc and is available for public view at depository libraries and the following offices: Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation 677 Queen Street, Suite 300, Honolulu, Oahu Department of Human Services, Homeless Programs Office Benefits, Employment and Support Services Division 1010 Richard Street, Suite 312, Honolulu, Oahu County of Hawaii, Office of Housing and Community Development 1990 Kinoole Street, Suite 102, Hilo, Hawaii Island; and West Hawaii Civic Center, 744-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Island County of Maui, Department of Housing and Human Concerns 2065 Main Street, Suite 108, Wailuku, Maui County of Kauai, Kauai County Housing Agency 4444 Rice Street, Suite 330, Lihue, Kauai City and County of Honolulu, Department of Community Services 925 Dillingham Boulevard, Suite 200, Honolulu, Oahu You may also call (808) 587-0577 to be mailed a copy of the draft substantial amendment. Interested persons are encouraged to state their views on the Draft Substantial Amendment, which includes the Draft HOME-ARP Allocation Plan, in writing no later than March 15, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. to HHFDC at 677 Queen Street, Suite 300, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813, or via email to hhfdc.consolidatedplan@hawaii.gov. All comments received by the deadline will be considered in preparing the final substantial amendment and allocation plan. Persons with special needs (e.g., needing a copy of the proposed substantial amendment in large print or taped) must immediately contact HHFDC’s Human Resources Office at (808) 587-0501, or by written request via email to hhfdchr@hawaii.gov. Prompt requests help to ensure the availability of appropriate accommodations. Persons on the neighbor islands may call the following toll-free numbers: From Kauai, (808) 274-3141, ext. 70501 From Hawaii, (808) 974-4000, ext. 70501 From Maui, (808) 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 Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism State of Hawaii Internet Posting: February 28, 2022 (TGI1361911 2/28/22)