HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0717.021 2004-2006 ~tv o• k
Harry Kim Edwin S. Taira
Mayor Housin Adminisbnlor
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OFFICE OF HOUSING AND
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
50 Wailuku Drive • Hilo, Hawaii 96"120-2456
V/TT (tl08) 961-8379 • FAX (808) 961-8685
March 31, 2006
MEMORANDUM
T0: Virginia Isbell, Chair
and Members, Committee on Finance
FROM: Edwin S. Taira
Housing Administrator
SUBJECT: Operating and Capital Budgets and Program Review
March 31, 2006, Day Three
Response to Questions in March 17, 2006 Memorandum
The Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) offers the
following responses to your questions:
1. How has the office relocation improved its service to the
community?
The relocation of the Section S program to 1990 Kino'ole Street
has greatly improved our ability to participate in the County's
"One Stop" center. The office building is centrally located and
also houses the State Departments of Labor and Industrial
Relations Workforce Development and Unemployment Insurance
Divisions, the State Department of Human Services Income
Maintenance Units: Food Stamps/Financial, First to Work, Food
Stamp Employment Training.
This location is closer to the Puna/Volcano areas, where the
second most number of families receiving assistance live. South
Hilo is still the area with the most families on the program.
The office is configured to service the families and the public
in private interview areas. This arrangement addresses HUD's
confidentiality requirement.
Comm No. ~ ~ 2
Ref. To;
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EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
'HAWAI'I COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER'
Virginia Isbell a~d,Members
Committee on Finance
Page 2
March 31, 2006
Parking is readily available. We are working with the Mass
Transit Agency to add a bus stop to the site.
2. Can the Department overcome its spending deficit?
The OHCD has experienced several budget cuts to Federal domestic
programs we administer over the past several years. To direct as
much of the remaining Federal funds to operate programs, the OHCD
will continue to seek County funding for program administration.
Other programs administered by our office are County mandates and
should be paid for by the County, i.e., the development of
affordable housing, and the implementation of affordable housing
conditions pursuant to Chapter 11.
3. Explain the new Kawaihae Transitional Shelter Program
(5466.36/$123,000).
The Kawaihae Shelter was built with County and private donations.
The land was licensed from the Queen Emma Foundation for three
years. The County was supposed to move the huts when a more
permanent site was found. The County was never able to find
suitable site either because the proposed sites lacked the proper
infrastructure, or we encountered serious community opposition.
Since that time, the shelter operator, Catholic Charities, has
had difficulty finding funds to repair and operate the shelter,
mainly because potential donors do not want to contribute funds
for a temporary facility.
Catholic Charities met with the administration and indicated that
they were going to close the shelter at the end of 2005. The
administration asked them to hold off closing for two years if we
could find operating and renovation funds. The idea is to keep
the Kawaihae Shelter open until we can build new facilities in
Kona. Catholic Charities has agreed.
The OHCD did an assessment of the facilities and an initial cost
estimate on the cost of repairs.
4. Explain the new Hawaii Island workforce Development Ohana
Program (5466.37/$68,000)
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Virginia Isbell agdRMembers
Committee on Finance
Page 3
March 31, 2006
The Hawaii County Workforce Investment Board created a new non-
profit, the Hawaii Island Workforce Economic Development Ohana
(HIWEDO) to try to fill in the gaps, and to work with existing
economic development entities and workforce development, youth
training and other programs. The HIWEDO will also be able to
seek alternate funding sources for fund programs that go beyond
the Workforce Investment Act.
The County funds sought are intended to be used as seed money to
get the HIWEDO off the ground. The County funds are not meant to
be the entire operating budget for the HIWEDO. The County funds
could also be used as a match to obtain Federal, State and
private grants.
5. What is the status of the Section 8 Homeownership Program
(Part I, Volume II, pages 3 and 4)?
The OHCD currently is in the startup phase of the Section 8
Homeownership Option Program (HOP). Rules and regulations have
been adopted. Staff will receive additional training in April.
The OHCD anticipates implementation of this program at the
conclusion of staff training, and the commitment of resources,
beginning with family briefings for Section 8 participants
island-wide.
Families that participate in the Section 8 Family Self-
Sufficiency Program are given a preference for the Homeownership
program.
This program is mandated by HUD, but the OHCD does not receive
additional funds to operate the program. HUD monitors our
programs and may deduct points from future funding requests
because of poor or non-performance.
6. What is the status of the Section 8 Family Self-Sufficiency
Program (Part I, Volume II, pages 3 and 4)?
The OHCD has successfully started the Family Self-Sufficiency
Program. Fifty three (53) families have signed Individual
Training and Service Plans and Contracts of Participation.
Escrow accounts have been opened for twenty five families out of
the 53. No one is currently on the FSS wait list.
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Virginia Isbell a~d,Members
Committee on Finance
Page 4
March 31, 2006
This program is mandated by HUD. HUD monitors our programs and
may deduct points from future funding requests because of poor or
non-performance.
7. What vacant positions will not be filled in FY07?
The OHCD anticipates leaving the Assistant Housing Administrator
position vacant for FY07. The County should look at funding this
position and filling it prior to December 2008.
C: Harry Kim, Mayor
'Stacy Higa, Chair, Hawaii County Council
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