NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT
Pursuant to 24 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, the State of Hawaii (the State), Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC), gives notice that draft Substantial Amendments No. 5 and No. 3 to the Consolidated Plan (CP) Annual Action Plans (AAP) for program years July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019 (PY2018) and July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022 (PY2021), has been prepared in combination. HHFDC is making the document available for review and comment.
The purpose of the CP 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 United States 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 combined notice of draft Substantial Amendments No. 5 and No. 3 to its PY2018 and PY2021 AAPs, which identifies and incorporates an eligible activity in the County of Hawaii (Hawaii County) to utilize remaining PY2018 and PY2021 HOME funds.
As HHFDC’s State Recipient of PY2018 HOME funds, Hawaii County initially identified its Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program to receive PY2018 HOME funds. Due to a shortage of eligible rental units that meet the program’s Housing Quality Standards, funds could not be fully utilized. Furthermore, Hawaii County received other new and additional federal rental assistance funds, and has determined that a HOME TBRA program is no longer needed. Substantial Amendment No. 5 to the PY2018 AAP reallocates the balance of $113,214.84 from the PY2018 TBRA program to the PY2024 AAP Rental Housing Development project.
As HHFDC’s State Recipient of PY2021 funds, Hawaii County allocated $450,000 of its HOME allocation toward a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) project; however, the funds could not be committed as originally intended and the County submitted a request to have the funds reprogrammed toward the PY2024 AAP Rental Housing Development project. Substantial Amendment No. 3 to the PY2021 AAP removes the HOME CHDO project from the AAP and reallocates $450,000 to the PY2024 Rental Housing Development project.
Additionally, the PY2024 AAP did not include Hawaii County’s repayment of the PY2018 HOME CHDO funds totaling $451,221. This Notice informs the public of Hawaii County’s receipt and use of these funds toward the PY2024 Rental Housing Development project.
The inclusion of PY2018 and PY2021 HOME funds and repayment of HOME funds into Hawaii County’s PY2024 Rental Housing Development project is anticipated to provide seven additional HOME-assisted units and increases the project’s total number of units to 16 HOME-assisted units, for households earning 80% of the Area Median Income or below. Once a project is selected, Hawaii County will issue a public notice to meet its Citizen Participation requirements.
To review a copy of draft Substantial Amendments No. 5 and No. 3 to the PY2018 and PY2021 AAPs, interested parties may 1) download an electronic copy from HHFDC’s website at http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/hhfdc, 2) view a copy at public libraries (subject to their respective hours of operations), 3) email a request to view a paper copy to hhfdc.consolidatedplan@hawaii.gov, or 4) call one of the toll-free numbers listed below to receive viewing instructions:
From Oahu: (808) 587-0577
From Kauai: (808) 274-3141, ext. 70577
From Hawaii Island: (808) 974-4000, ext. 70577
From Maui: (808) 984-2400, ext. 70577
From Molokai/Lanai: 1-800-468-4644, ext. 70577
Finally, a paper copy will be available for viewing by visiting one of the agencies listed below between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from Monday through Friday (except for weekends and State holidays).
AGENCIES:
Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation
677 Queen Street, Suite 300; Honolulu, Oahu
Office of Housing and Community Development
1990 Kinoole Street, Suite 102; Hilo, Hawaii
Interested persons are invited to provide written comments on the draft Substantial Amendments via email to HHFDC.ConsolidatedPlan@hawaii.gov by May 2, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. All written comments will be considered in preparing the final Substantial Amendments.
If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability (e.g., needing a copy of draft Substantial Amendments in large print, Brialle, electronic copy, or tape recorded), contact HHFDC’s Human Resources Office at 587-0501, by mail at the above address, or by email to hhfdchr@hawaii.gov by April 24, 2025. Requests made as early as possible have a greater likelihood of being fulfilled. Persons on the neighbor islands may call the following toll-free numbers:
From Oahu: (808) 587-0501
From Kauai: (808) 274-3141, ext. 70501
From Hawaii Island: (808) 974-4000, ext. 70501
From Maui: (808) 984-2400, ext. 70501
From Molokai/Lanai: 1-800-468-4644, ext. 70501
Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Brialle, or electronic copy.
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 status.
Dean Minakami, HHFDC Executive Director
(SA1488521 4/02/25)
