COUNTY OF HAWAI’I
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRODUCTION PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Hawai’i County, under Ordinance 22-77, appropriates a minimum of $5 million annually to the Affordable Housing Production (AHP) Program to support, increase, and sustain affordable housing production within the County.

The Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) is amending the AHP Program Administrative Rules to improve program administration and effectiveness.

Key amendments:
Financial Contribution Requirement: Applicants must provide proof of a minimum 10% financial contribution at the time of application to reinforce AHP funds role as gap financing and to improve overall project feasibility
Strengthened Fund Usage Rules: To prevent actual and potential financial conflicts of interest
Perpetual Affordability: Properties acquired with AHP funds must remain affordable in perpetuity, ensuring long-term public benefits

The amendments apply to the following sections:
§3-3 Grant Application Process
§3-5 Grant Requirements
§4-2 Recovery of Funds

Pursuant to Hawai’i Revised Statutes §91-3, notice is hereby given that the amended AHP Program Administrative Rules will be available for public review and comment from: March 3, 2025, to April 3, 2025.

A public hearing to gather community input and testimony on the Administrative Rules will be held on: April 1, 2025, at 10:00 am.
To join via Zoom, please register at: https://tinyurl.com/55b3d2af

The OHCD encourages public participation in this hearing and welcomes community input on the proposed amendments. Individuals requiring special accommodation may contact OHCD at V/TT 808-961-8379 at least seven (7) calendar days before the meetings to arrange assistance.

The amended Administrative Rules can be viewed on the OHCD website at: www.hawaiicounty.gov/ahp or in-person at the following OHCD office locations, Monday through Friday (except holidays), from 7:45 am to 4:30 pm:

Hilo: 1990 Kino’ole Street, Ste 102 Hilo, HI 96720 Ph: (808) 961-8379

Kona: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy Bldg B, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Ph: (808) 323-4300

Interested persons may also request a copy to be mailed after paying the required fees and postage by sending a request to either address above.

Written comments for the amendments to the Administrative Rules may be submitted to the above OHCD offices or e-mailed to ohcd.ahp@hawaiicounty.gov no later than 4:30 pm on April 3, 2025. Comments submitted will be considered in the final amendments to the Administrative Rules.

OFFICE OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
COUNTY OF HAWAI’I
By: Kehaulani M. Costa
Housing Administrator

Mayor C. Kimo Alameda
County of Hawai’i
(HTH1485531 3/03, 3/24/25)