NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT

Pursuant to 24 CFR Part 91, notice is given that a draft Annual Action Plan (AAP) for program year July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2010 has been prepared by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC), Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, State of Hawaii. The HHFDC is making copies of the proposed AAP available for review and comment.

The purpose of the Consolidated Plan 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 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs, the State must have a housing strategy that has been approved by HUD.

The proposed AAP consists of 1) a strategic plan to address the provision of affordable housing, prevention of homelessness, responding to the special needs of Hawaii residents, and resources available to meet the needs; and 2) an action plan including the resources (federal, private, and public funds) available, description of the State’s method for distributing funds to local governments and non-profit organizations to carry out activities to address the priority of needs.

Copies of the proposed AAP are available for public viewing at regional libraries and on the HHFDC’s website at http://www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/hhfdc. Copies may also be picked up at the agencies listed below between the hours of 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Interested persons may call Medy Esmena at 587-0634; Neighbor Island residents may call toll free at the numbers listed below to be mailed copies:

Kauai 274-3141, ext. 70634 Hawaii 974-4000, ext. 70634
Maui 984-2400, ext. 70634 Molokai and Lanai 1-800-468-4644, ext.70634

AGENCIES:
Office of Housing and Community Development
50 Wailuku Drive, Hilo, Hawaii

Department of Housing and Human Concerns
86 W. Kamehameha Avenue, Kahului, Maui

Kauai County Housing Agency
4444 Rice Street, Suite 330, Lihue, Kauai

Hawaii Public Housing Authority
1002 North School Street, Honolulu, Oahu

Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation
677 Queen Street, Suite 300, Honolulu, Oahu

Interested persons are invited to state their views on the proposed AAP in writing no later than April 30, 2009, to HHFDC at the aforementioned address. Written comments may be submitted via fax to (808) 587-0600 by 4:30 p.m. on April 30, 2009. All comments received by the deadline will be considered in preparing the final State AAP.

Persons with special needs (i.e., needing proposed amendments to the 2009 Annual Action Plan in large print or taped) shall make all requests for access and communication assistance by contacting the HHFDC Personnel Office at 587-0501, by written request, or by email to donna.m.dizon@hawaii.gov at least 10 business days before the end of the comment period. Prompt requests submitted help to ensure the availability of appropriate accommodations. Persons on the Neighbor Islands may call the following toll free numbers:

From Hawaii, 974-4000, ext. 70501
From Kauai, 274-3141, ext. 70501
From Maui, 984-2400, ext. 70501
From Molokai and 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.

Karen Seddon
Executive Director
Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
State of Hawaii