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C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D. <br />Mayor <br />William V. Brilhante, Jr. <br />Managing Director <br />Merrick Nishimoto <br />Deputy Managing Director <br />Kehaulani M. Costa <br />Housing Administrator <br />Keiko M. Mercado <br />Assistant Housing Administrator <br />County of Hawaii <br />Office of Housing and Community Development <br />1990 Kino`ole Street, Suite 102 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8379 • Fax (808) 961-8685 <br />Existing Housing: (808) 959-4642 • Fax (808) 959-9308 <br />Kona: (808) 3234300 • Fax (808) 323-4301 <br />December 10,.2025 <br />Via Hand Delivery <br />Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Council .Chair and <br />Members of the Hawaii County Council <br />Hawaii County Council <br />25 Aupuni Street <br />Hilo, Hawai`I 96720 <br />HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING FUND (HHF) SUPPLEMENTAL PACKET #3 <br />TO SUPPORT RES. 397-25 <br />SUBJECT: <br />Dear Council Chair Inaba and Members of the Hawaii County Council, <br />Thank you again for the time, questions, and feedback shared during the December 2, 2025 Finance <br />Committee meeting. W6 value this dialogue, as it strengthens our program. This communication provides <br />additional information and clarification ahead of the second reading of Resolution 397-25, requesting <br />approval of the Homelessness and Housing Fund (HHF) Grant Awards for the fund's fourth cycle. <br />Recap of Applications. Award Strategy, and Procurement of Essential Services <br />This Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) cycle generated 23 applications, each of which presented a <br />compelling case for a share of the $6 million available for award. In developing recommendations, our <br />responsibility is not only to assess projects individually but also to consider the broader system of care, — <br />including other HHF-funded programs, separately contracted shelter and cot services, and the wider <br />network of non-HHF providers in our community. Our recommendations reflect the need for a balanced <br />portfolio of services that, collectively, support movement from street outreach to shelter, to long-term <br />stable housing. <br />Separate from the RFGA, the remaining $5.1 million in program funds are allocated to essential services <br />procured through separate RFPs. Current status is as follows: <br />1. West Hawaii Emergency Shelter and Resource Center — RFP closed; one applicant. <br />2. Permanent Supportive Housing Project, West Hawaii — RFP closed; one applicant. <br />3. East Hawaii Emergency Shelter — RFP posted on OpenGov; closes January 5, 2026. <br />4. Overnight Cot Sleeping Programs (East/West Hawaii) — RFPs to be released soon. <br />Comm. <br />Ref. To: 1 <br />Ref. Dute EQUAL HOUSING <br />OPPORTUNITY <br />