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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0372.057 2024-2026Ashley L. Kierkiewicz Council Member District 4 Puna Office: (808) 961-8265 Fax: (808) 961-8912 ashley.kierkiewicz@hawaiicounty.gov HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street • Hilo, Hawaii 96720CD c� CZ C DATE: October 2, 2025CD TO: Holeka Inaba, Council Chairperson And Members of the Hawaii County Council r FROM: Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Council Member RE: OHCD Review: Feedback and Input on the General Plan Enclosed is a memorandum from the Office of Housing and Community Development submitted in response to Communication No. 372.31, which requested feedback on how the General Plan has guided operations, budgets, priorities, and decision -making, as well as input on the Draft General Plan 2045. Mahalo. CC: AK/kj Planning Director Serving the Interests of the People of Our Island Hawai 7 County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D. Mayor William V. Brilhante, Jr. Managing Director Merrick Nishimoto Deputy Managing Director TO: FROM: SUBJECT: Kehaulani M. Costa Housing Administrator Keiko M. Mercado Assistant Housing Administrator County of Hawaii Office of Housing and Community Development 1990 Kino`ole Street, Suite 102 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8379 • Fax (808) 961-8685 Existing Housing: (808) 959-4642 • Fax (808) 959-9308 Kona: (808) 323-4300 - Fax (808) 323-4301 September 30, 2025 Council Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz County of Hawaii, County Council Kom Kehaulani M. Costa WAVJX 4 M. G bate:20 5.10.0igned 1 :54:30 L��` a(e:2025.10.01755430-10'00' Housing Administrator OFFICE OF HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT'S COMMENTS ON DRAFT 2045 GENERAL PLAN Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Draft General Plan 2045 as it relates to the Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD). The General Plan provides the vision, data, and policy framework needed to identify and address community needs which supports and guides the County of Hawaii Consolidated Plan (CP) required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The purpose of the CP is to ensure that jurisdictions that receive Federal HUD 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 housing in asuitable living environment. OHCD's submits its consolidated plan to HUD every 5-years indicating that its goals for housing and community development align with the County's General Plan. The current 2024-2029 Consolidated Plan reports that the General Plan is undergoing a comprehensive review to better address housing challenges, guide future growth, and ensure housing policies remain adaptive to emerging needs. OHCD certified in its submission that the goals of the draft General Plan 2045 align with the Draft Consolidated Plan's housing and homelessness goals. The Draft 2045 Plan, assigns a number of "implementations of specific actions" to OHCD. OHCD aims to lead, collaborate, or advocate for actions approved by the County Council in the final plan provided that funding and resources are available and intentional interagency coordination is achieved. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNTY Council Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz September 30, 2025 Page 2 of 4 I have re -organized the specific actions assigned to OHCD under the following categories: Strategic Priorities, actions that will positively affect the delivery of affordable housing; OHCD Projects and Programs, actions that are core functions of OHCD and remain easily achievable ongoing activities; and OHCD as Advocates, actions that OHCD will cheer -on, participate in, advise, or provide technical assistance to, but OHCD's role may be limited. Strategic Priorities Code Amendments 13.b Incorporate flexibility in codes and ordinances to achieve a diversity of socio- economic housing mix and to permit an aesthetic balance between residential structures and open spaces. PD, OHCD Code Amendment 39.b Amend the housing code to require and maintain the long-term affordability of affordable housing developments. OHCD Code Amendment 39.g Adopt a County affordable housing program, similar to HRS §201H, that encourages development, reduces cost, and simplifies permitting OHCD Program *Note: listed as Program but could possibly be Code Amendment under Chapter 11 Interagency Coordination 37.a Establish interdepartmental procedures to collaboratively Identify, prioritize and build infrastructure that supports housing in or near mixed -use areas and transit centers in urban areas. OHCD, DPW, PD, DWS, DEM, DPR Interagency Coordination 39.f Establish an internal County housing working group to include OHCD, Planning, DPW, DWS, DEM, Finance, and DPR at a minimum to coordinate planning and infrastructure that supports affordable housing. OHCD Interagency Coordination Programs 37.f Initiate collaboration and learning opportunities among communities, nonprofits, and housing developers as it relates to housing and community development projects. OHCD, PD, DRD Program 39.e Forman Affordable Housing Advisory Committee to complete an island wide Affordable Housing Strategic Plan and that prioritizes home ownership for local families to build equity OHCD Program Council Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz September 30, 2025 Page 3 of 4 OHCD Projects and Programs (Current and Ongoing) 37.b Review the State housing inventory every 5 years and conduct scenario modeling to identify existing housing types, housing needs, and land use and building code updates that will provide for diversified housing, a mix of development types, and efficient and alternative construction methods in urban areas. OHCD Project 38.e Perform ongoing analysis of available housing assistance programs for public and private stakeholders. OHCD Program 38.f Develop and maintain an outreach program to disseminate information and educate stakeholders about housing assistance programs. OHCD Program 39.h Coordinate with the State and Federal agencies to provide housing programs for low- to moderate -income households, educate families about the opportunities, and ensure equitable access. OHCD Program 39.i Partner with government and private housing entities and housing trusts to fund and support community -based non-profit organizations to provide adequate and equitable affordable housing. OHCD Program 38.d Create, aid, and encourage programs to maintain and rehabilitate the existing housing inventory, including consideration for self-help programs. OHCD Program 38.a Perform existing housing inventory data analysis to identify structural conditions and needs for rehabilitation or demolition. OHCD Program *Note: County owned units or identification of units for the purpose of acquisition 42.e Develop a community engagement framework to be used across county departments and agencies to provide direction and ensure effective civic participation. PD, DRD, OHCD, DPR, DPW Program OHCD as Advocates 36.c Develop public showers and restroom facilities in strategic locations to serve the homeless and meet public sanitation needs. OHCD, DPR, DPW Project 36.d Collaborate with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders to establish a One -Stop Community Resource Center to serve as a point of community access for information and referral for health, education, and social services. OHCD, DRD Interagency Coordination 36.e Expand the use of mobile health centers and services (e.g., screening vision, and dental) to rotate through the rural communities regularly. OHCD, DRD Interagency Coordination Council Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz September 30, 2025 Page 4 of 4 36.f Partner with government, private and nonprofit agencies, communities, and other stakeholders to develop a consolidated services facility plan for the victim and offender treatment, counseling, and other rehabilitation services (and other social services) in major urban centers (Hilo, Kailua Kona, Waimea). OPA, OHCD Interagency Coordination 37.d Advocate for the State to provide student, faculty, and staff housing around State education facilities and established urban centers with transit. DOE, OHCD Interagency Coordination 37.e Advocate for the State to provide staff housing around State health care facilities and established urban centers with transit. DOH, OHCD Interagency Coordination 39.d Revise financial mechanisms and property tax provisions to allow for creative finance solutions to incentivize new construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing. OHCD, DF Program