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 administration of $107,561,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. HUD allocated these CDBG-DR 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 approved Action Plan describes 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 proposed within the draft Substantial Amendment include, but are not limited to, the following: Establishment of a new maximum grant award specifically for undeveloped properties that would be acquired through the Voluntary Housing Buyout Program based on pre-disaster value Clarification of programmatic policies and procedures for the Voluntary Housing Buyout Program related to program eligibility, exceptions, and duplication of benefits analysis Revision of timeframes for Phase 3 to apply for the Voluntary Housing Buyout Program Elimination of the Housing Relocation Services Program with background and rationale Reallocation of funding from the Housing Relocation Services Program to the Voluntary Housing Buyout Program The County invites comments on this draft Substantial Amendment to the approved CDBG-DR Action Plan from the public during the 30-day public comment period which begins on April 4, 2022, and ends on May 3, 2022. The draft Substantial Amendment can be viewed online at https://recovery.hawaiicounty.gov. Copies of the draft Substantial Amendment are available for review at 100 Pauahi Street, Suite 200, Hilo, HI 96720. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM, except on holidays. VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING A Virtual Public Meeting on this draft Substantial Amendment to the CDBG-DR Action Plan will be held on Monday, April 18, 2022, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. The Virtual Public Meeting will be held on the Zoom online platform. The public may join the public hearing from a computer, smartphone, or telephone. The purpose of this Virtual Public Meeting is to discuss the changes proposed in this draft Substantial Amendment to the CDBG-DR Action Plan, and to address questions and suggestions from the public. Public testimony will not be received during this meeting, and members of the public are encouraged to submit written comments per instructions provided in this public notice. Registration for the Virtual Public Meeting is required. Members of the public can register by visiting https://recovery.hawaiicounty.gov. If a member of the public is unable to register for this Virtual Public Meeting online, please email kilauearecovery@hawaiicounty.gov or call (808) 961-8996. PUBLIC COMMENTS The County encourages members of the public to provide written comments on the draft Substantial Amendment to the CDBG-DR Action Plan during this 30-day public comment period. Comments can be submitted: By email to kilauearecovery@hawaiicounty.gov In-person at 100 Pauahi Street, Suite 200, Hilo, HI 96720 during office hours By U.S. mail to 100 Pauahi Street, Suite 200, 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) 961-8996 or contact kilauearecovery@hawaiicounty.gov. By: DOUGLAS NAM LE, Disaster Recovery Officer HI County is an Equal Opportunity Provider & Employer (HTH/WHT1367187 4/4/22)