NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
(for consultation on housing needs)

Pursuant to 24 CFR Part 91, notice is hereby given that the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC), Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, State of Hawaii, will hold public hearings on the housing needs to be considered in the State Consolidated Plan (CP) for program years July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2015 and the Annual Action Plan (AAP) for Program Year 2010-2011.

The CP and AAP describe the State’s housing needs, funding plans, and certified program compliance with the CP, HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) programs. These HUD programs provide funding to expand the supply of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families, restrict increases in homelessness, and provide preventative programs and activities for the homeless in the State.

The CP’s and AAP’s purpose 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. For Program Year 2010-2011, the State of Hawaii anticipates receiving approximately $3,035,000 in HOME funds, $232,000 in ESG funds, and $168,000 in HOPWA funds.

Interested persons are invited to attend the hearing and state their views, orally or in writing, related to the housing needs to be considered in developing the State CP and AAP.

Please make five copies of written testimony available to the presiding officer at the hearing. Written comments may be submitted to HHFDC, 677 Queen Street, Suite 300, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813 or faxed from the neighbor islands to (808) 587-0600 by 4:30 p.m. on the day before the public hearing. All comments and testimony received will be considered in preparing the State CP and AAP.

Public hearings will be held on the following dates:

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 10:00 am at 250 South High Street, Department of Planning Conference Room, Wailuku, Maui

Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 2:00 pm at HHFDC, 677 Queen Street, Suite 300, Honolulu, Oahu

Monday, June 29, 2009 at 10:00 am at Kona International Airport at Keahole, 73-200 Kupipi Street, Airport Training Room MOD II, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 10:00 am at Hilo International Airport, 2450 Kekuanaoa Street, Airport Training Room 216, Hilo, Hawaii

Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 10:00 am at the Lihue Civic Center, Pi’ikoi Building, 4444 Rice Street, Suite 330, Conference Room ’A’, Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii

Persons with special needs (e.g., large print, taped materials, sign language interpreter, or translator) 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 public hearing. Prompt requests submitted help to ensure the availability of appropriate accommodations. Persons on the neighbor islands may call the following toll free numbers:

From Kauai, 274-3141, ext. 70501
From Hawaii, 974-4000, ext. 70501
From Maui, 984-2400, ext. 70501
From Molokai and Lanai, 1-800-468-4644, ext. 70501

The 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.