West Hawaii Today
Notice #: 0001308989-01
Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE COUNTY OF HAWAII’S 2021 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR ITS 2020-2024 CONSOLIDATED PLAN FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG), HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP (HOME)&NATIONAL HOUSING TRUST FUND (HTF) PROGRAMS AND SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE 2016 AND 2020 ACTION PLAN. Pursuant to 24 CFR Part 91, the County of Hawaii’s Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) has developed its draft annual 2021 Action Plan (AP) for its 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan (CP) year with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) CDBG Program and the State of Hawaii Housing and Finance Development Corporation (HHFDC) HOME Investment Partnerships and Housing Trust Fund Programs. In addition, and in accordance with the County’s approved Citizen Participation Plan, the OHCD is also proposing amendments to its 2016 and 2020 Action Plans for its CDBG Program and is providing affected citizens an opportunity to comment on the proposed amendments. The draft annual 2021 Action Plan is available for affected citizens to examine and provide comments on the use of these federal funds. 2021 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM The County of Hawai’i estimates receiving $2,500,000.00 for its 2021 CDBG allocation. This amount is an approximation and the County will proportionally adjust its proposed project funding levels by increasing or decreasing the actual project amounts to the actual funds received. In addition, the County anticipates receiving $100,000 of additional program income from the Residential Repair Program (RRP) for a total $2,600,000.00. To meet the County’s five (5) year 2020-2024 CP, Priorities and Objectives, the following projects will be included in the 2021 AP. 2021 CDBG Projects Amount Ulu Wini Low Income Housing Wastewater Treatment Plant Repairs $ 1,300,000.00 Ulu Wini Low Income Housing Certified Kitchen Conversion $ 450,000.00 Hale Ohana Domestic Abuse Shelter Interior and Exterior Renovations $ 225,000.00 West Hawaii Domestic Abuse Shelter- Interior and Exterior Renovations $ 125,000.00 Administration, Planning&Fair Housing ___________________ $ 500,000.00 Total $ 2,600,000.00 The CDBG project amount for all projects may change to accommodate the actual amount of grant funds or program income received or if there are any cancelled project(s) or reprogramming of CDBG funds. In its efforts to expedite and timely implement its projects, the Public is advised that the County of Hawaii may utilize County funds for the Ulu Wini Low Income Housing Wastewater Treatment Plant – Repairs project to incur pre-award cost under the CDBG program that will not exceed 25% of current CDBG allocation. This is in accordance with the CDBG regulations 24 CFR 570.200(h)(1), Reimbursement for pre-award costs. HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS (HOME) PROGRAM The State of Hawai’i is required to submit its 2020-2024 CP and AP to HUD for the 2021 HOME program. The County of Hawai`i anticipates it will receive approximately $2,850,000.00 for the 2021 HOME Program. To prepare for the 2021 HOME program, the County requested project proposals and will submit the following projects to the State of Hawai’i HHFDC for approval. 2021 HOME Projects Amount County of Hawaii Home Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program (TBRA) $ 1,960,200.00 Habitat for Humanity – Affordable Homes for $ 450,000.00 Puna Families University Heights Home Reconstruction $ 289,800.00 OHCD Administration_________________________________ $ 150,000.00 Total $ 2,850,000.00 The amount for the all HOME projects may change to accommodate the actual allocation of HOME Project funds, program income received or if there are any cancelled or reprogramming of HOME funds. The Administration amount will change to the actual allocation of Administration funds received from the State. In its efforts to expedite and timely implement its projects, the Public is advised that the County of Hawaii may utilize County funds to incur pre-award costs under the HOME Program that will not exceed 25% of the current HOME allocation amount. This is in accordance with the HOME regulations 24 CFR 92.212(c), Pre-award Costs, Project Costs. HOUSING TRUST FUNDS (HTF) PROGRAM The State of Hawai’i is required to submit its 2020-2024 CP and AP to HUD for the 2021 HTF program. The County of Hawai’i anticipates it will receive approximately $2,850,000.00 for the 2021 HTF Program. To prepare for the 2021 HTF program, the County requested project proposals and will submit the following projects to the State of Hawai’i HHFDC for approval. 2021 HTF Projects Amount West Kawili Street Senior/Veteran Housing $ 2,300,000.00 University Heights Home Reconstruction $ 400,000.00 OHCD Administration_________________________________ $ 150,000.00 Total $ 2,850,000.00 The amount for the HTF project may change to accommodate the actual allocation of HTF Project funds, program income received or if there are any cancelled or reprogramming of HTF funds. The Administration amount will change to the actual allocation of Administration funds received from the State. AMENDMENTS TO 2016 and 2020 ACTION PLAN The County is required by its approved Citizen Participation Plan to publish amendments to the County’s Action Plans and to notify citizens of these amendments and its availability to submit comments. The proposed amendments are a result of HUD’s notification of additional funds for its 2020 CDBG allocation, a remaining project balance amount of $.57 from the 2016 Pahala Fire Station Wildland Truck acquisition project and the need to reallocate 2020 CDBG funds for additional construction cost for the Kiheipua Emergency Shelter – Certified Kitchen Construction project. The OHCD is proposing the following amendments to its 2016 and 2020 Action Plan with HUD by reprogramming a total of $197,419.87 to the 2020 Kiheipua Emergency Shelter Certified Kitchen Construction project. 2020 CDBG Project Residential Repair Homeowner Loan Program $ 131,949.00 Hale Maluhia Shelter-Accessibility Improvements $ 63,388.30 2016 CDBG Project Pahala Fire Station Wildland Truck Acquisition .57 2020 CDBG Reallocation $ 2,082.00 Total $ 197,419.87 The County is proposing to transfer these funds in the following manner: 2020 CDBG Project Kiheipua Emergency Shelter Certified Kitchen Construction $ 197,419.87 PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD The County of Hawaii’s draft 2021 AP will be available on https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/departments/office-of-housing for public review and comment from December 29, 2020 to January 27, 2021 and at the following locations, Monday through Friday, 7:45a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on holidays. Office of Housing and Community Office of Housing and Development (OHCD) Community Development 1990 Kinoole St. Ste.102 West Hawai’i Civic Center Hilo, HI 96720 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy. Phone: 961-8379 Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Phone: 323-4300 Persons, particularly those who are of low and moderate income, are encouraged to submit their comments regarding the activity or activities that are being proposed in their area. The OHCD will consider any comments and views expressed by citizens on the draft Plan and may modify the Plan, if it deems appropriate. Citizens who wish to comment on the proposed plan or amendment must submit their comments in writing or fax (808)961-8685 to the OHCD by January 27, 2021, in order for the Hawai’i County Finance Committee and Hawai’i County Council to consider them in their approval of the final AP. The Hawai’i County Finance Committee and Hawai’i County Council will be meeting on April 6, 2021 and April 21, 2021 respectively. Office of Housing and Community Development County of Hawaii By: Susan K. Kunz Housing Administrator Mitchell Roth Mayor, County of Hawai’i (WHT1308989 12/28/20)