HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-20 CDBG-DR Action Plan -- press release -- Tom Callis
Harry Kim Michael Yee
Mayor Director
Roy Takemoto April Surprenant
Acting Deputy Director
Managing Director
East Hawai‘i Office
West Hawai‘i Office
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3
74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy
Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 County of Hawai‘i
Phone (808) 961-8288
Phone (808) 323-4770
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Fax (808) 961-8742
Fax (808) 327-3563
July 20, 2020
NEWS RELEASE
Media Contact: Tom Callis
Tom.Callis@hawaiicounty.gov
808-961-8729
Draft Action Plan Released for Public Comment
The public is invited to comment on Hawai‘i County’s draft Action Plan addressing the
use of $83.84 million in Federal grants provided for housing recovery following the 2018
Kīlauea eruption. Comments are accepted from today (July 20) through Aug. 18.
The draft plan demonstrates how the County will apply the funds, provided by the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to address unmet housing needs for
disaster victims. The money is provided through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant-
Disaster Recovery program.
The four-month-long eruption destroyed 723 structures, including 612 homes. Of the
destroyed homes, 294 were primary residences.
As demonstrated in the draft plan, the County will primarily use the grants to support a
voluntary buyout program for affected properties in order to assist displaced residents and reduce
risks from future eruptions on Kīlauea’s lower East Rift Zone. This program is anticipated to
begin in April 2021 and to be completed by June 2026. Housing relocation services also will be
provided.
The draft plan can be viewed online at recovery.hawaiicounty.gov. Copies of the
document are available for review at 25 Aupuni St., Suite 1301, Hilo, HI 96720. Office hours are
7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on holidays.
Comments can be submitted:
By email to kilauearecovery@hawaiicounty.gov.
In-person at 25 Aupuni St., Suite 1301, Hilo, HI 96720.
Sent by U.S. mail to 25 Aupuni St., Suite 1301, Hilo, HI 96720.
www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer planning@hawaiicounty.gov