HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0433.000 2014-2016 William P. Kenoi �Mtvfos".y'• Deanna S. Sako
Mayor � I'1 Director
Lisa K. Miura
Deputy Director
•
•County of Hawaii
Finance Department
25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2103 • Hilo,Hawai`i 96720 ,, n
(808)961-8234 • Fax(808)961-8569 ` -�
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August 13, 2015 w
Dru Kanuha, Council Chair and '
Members of the Hawaii County Council w
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Re: Operating Budget
The Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE) Fund, a private charitable organization, is
providing $50,000 to the Office of Housing and Community Development for their
Direct Deposit Incentive program. The grant funds will be used to introduce participants
to safe and affordable financial services and products. The program also provides
incentives for opening and maintaining an account free of overdraft fees and introduce
participants to additional financial and employment related services through a referral to
the County's Financial Education& Literacy Program provider and the One-Stop
Workforce Centers.
Enclosed is a resolution accepting this grant award. Also enclosed is a bill for an
ordinance amending the Operating Budget by appropriating this $50,000 Direct Deposit
Incentive program grant.
If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to call Susan Akiyama of the Office of
Housing and Community Development at 961-8379.
Deanna S. Sako
Director of Finance
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Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider
Form #: B-52
7/18/91
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
DEPARTMENT: Office of Housing & Comm Development DATE: August 5, 2015
STAFF CONTACT: Susan K. Akiyama,Housing Administrator PHONE: 808-961-8379
A. REQUEST:
Requesting for a bill for an ordinance to appropriate $ 50,000.00 to fund the Direct Deposit Incentive
Program that will encourage and incentivize eligible Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program
participants who receive a monthly utility reimbursement check to open account with participating on-island
federal credit unions and setting up direct deposit.
Please also submit a resolution to authorize the Mayor of the County of Hawaii to execute and submit all
agreemtns and other related documents to the CFE Fund for the Direct Deposit Incentive Program.
B. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION (USE ADDITIONAL SHEETS AS NEEDED):
On March 13, 2015, the Office of Housing and Community Development submitted a grant application to
the Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE) Fund as part of their Bank On 2.0 Innovation Fund's Request for
Proposal. The CFE Fund was seeking proposals for replicable programs to connect underserved populations to
mainstream, safe, and affordable financial products and services that enable households to preserve their
earnings and build assets.
The OHCD proposed the implementation of a Direct Deposit program for Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
and Tenant Based Rental Assitance Programs participants who are eligible for and receiving utility
reimbursement payments. The program will introduce participants to safe and affordable financial services and
products. The program also provides incentives for opening and maintaing an account free of overdraft fees.
The program would also introduce participants to additional financial and employment related services through a
referral to the County's Financial Education & Literacy Program provider and the One-Stop Workforce Centers.
On May 8, 2015, the County was informed that the CFE Fund was in its final review stages and had selected the
County's proposed project for funding.
The OHCD emphasizes that no County General Funds are involved in this Program. The ordinance merely sets
up the property accounts to receive and expend the grant fund.
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SIGNED: DATE:
Depa ri•- t Head
KAREN EOFF -1;;;;"if,,? • AARON S.Y. CHUNG
Chairperson Y .. =��1 ����%¢; MAILE"MEDEIROS"DAVID
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VALERIE T. POINDEXTER _`'``"£' : DRU MAMO KANUHA
Vice Chair •�r't:,