2016 Action Plan of the Consolidated Plan

Home

2 Fair Housing training with persons of limited English proficiency 5. Summary of citizen participation process and consultation process The County is required to have a Citizen Participation Plan in its CP (see Appendix D). This plan describes and outlines the County's plan to encourage and inform all citizens, especially persons of very low and moderate income including minorities, non - English speaking and persons of Limited English Proficiency (LEP), as well as persons with mobility, visual or hearing impediments, to participate in the development of the County's CP, along with any amendments to the CP, and the County's performance report. The citizen participation process as outlined in the Citizen Participation Plan includes public hearings, consultation meetings, 30 -day review and comment period on the County's draft CP, Hawai'i County Housing Agency /Finance Committee Meetings /County Council Meeting and a public notice announcing the availability of the County's final CP. Public Hearings: The County began its 2016 Action Plan Citizen Participation Process in October of 2015. The County held its annual public hearings in Pahala, Pahoa, Kailua -Kona, Honokaa, and Hilo to present an overview of the Consolidated Plan process and encouraged citizens to offer input concerning housing, homeless, special needs and community development needs. In addition, the past use of funds and accomplishments were discussed and available for comments. The County informed participants of the County's CP priorities and if there were any concerns or comments. The draft 2016 Action Plan was available for public review and comment from February 17, 2016 to March 18, 2016. Public and Private Agencies Consultation Meetings: In 2014 and 2015, the County again held consultation meetings during its annual public hearings to hear the concerns or comments to the County's draft priorities for its 2015 -2019 CP. An overview of the draft priorities and goals were presented. The participants were asked to provide input on the county's draft priorities and goals established as a result of community input at public hearings. Overall, there were 46 participants: 25 in Hilo District, and 21 in Kona District, representing not - for - profit service providers, housing services providers, developers, and county and state agencies. In addition to these consultations, the OHCD also informed each Council Member representing all districts in the County of Hawaii of the CP process and inquired if they had any projects that would meet the draft priorities within their district. In addition and in its efforts to get additional feedback from as many community members as possible, the County mailed need surveys to public service providers and other government agencies. The County did a follow -up response inquiry and was able to get 37 responses from 100 mail outs. Annual Action Plan 2016 OMB Control No: 2506 -0117 (exp. 07/31/2015) 4