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 prepare an Annual Action Plan (AAP) for Program Year 2016-2017 (PY2016), as part of the Consolidated Plan (CP) process. In preparation for this AAP, the State will consult with local governments and residents at public hearings to be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the West Hawaii Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and on Friday, October 16, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the County of Hawaii’s Office of Housing and Community Development, Existing Housing Conference Room, 1990 Kinoole Street, Hilo, Hawaii.
The CP’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.
The AAP describes the State’s funding plans for the coming program year and certifies program compliance with the CP, HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions 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. In PY2016, HUD expects to launch its new Housing Trust Fund (HTF) program, intended to complement existing federal, state and local efforts to increase and preserve the supply of decent, safe, and sanitary affordable housing for extremely low- and very low-income households, including homeless families.
The State anticipates receiving approximately $3,000,000 in HOME funds in PY2016. In accordance with HHFDC’s allocation policy, the County of Kauai is scheduled to receive the PY2016 HOME allocation to meet its affordable rental housing and homeownership objectives, less five percent for HHFDC’s administration of the program. Inaddition, the State anticipates receiving approximately $400,000 in funding for the ESG program to assist persons and families who are living on the streets or emergency shelters into stable, permanent housing, and approximately $200,000 in funding for the HOPWA program to provide housing assistance and support to persons with HIV/AIDS. ESG and HOPWA funding will be for use primarily in the Counties of Hawaii, Kauai and Maui. HUD has issued the HTF Interim Rule to establish the regulations that will govern the program. It provides a $3 million minimum grant for states, or an alternative methodology if the minimum funding is not available. There will be no allocation of grants under HTF if there is neither revenue from the government-sponsored enterprises nor other funds as provided by HERA.
Copies of an informational packet describing the HOME, ESG and HOPWA programs are available for public viewing at regional libraries and on the HHFDC’s website at http://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.
HHFDC, 677 Queen Street, Suite 300, Honolulu, Oahu
Department of Human Services, Homeless Programs
Benefits, Employment and Support Services Division
820 Mililani Street, Suite 606, Honolulu, Oahu
County of Hawaii, Office of Housing and Community Development
50 Wailuku Drive, Hilo, Hawaii or
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
To receive a copy by mail, interested persons may call Medy Esmena at
(808) 587-0634.
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’s AAP.
Please make five copies of written testimony available to the presiding officer at the hearing(s). 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. by October 16, 2015. All comments and testimony received will be considered in preparing the final State AAP.
If access or communication assistance and/or services (e.g., large print, taped materials, sign language interpreter, or translator) are required to participate in this public hearing, please contact the HHFDC’s Personnel Office at 587-0501, by email at celeste.r.tran@hawaii.gov, by fax at 587-0600, or by written request by
October 2, 2015. Prompt requests help to ensure the availability of appropriate accommodations.
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.
Craig K. Hirai, HHFDC Executive Director
(WHT799808 9/28/15)~
