HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR AHPP RFP
MITCH D. ROTH
MAYOR
April 22, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hawai’i County Seeks Proposals for Affordable Housing Production Funding
$18 Million Available to Qualified Applicants; RFP to be Issued May 1
Mayor Roth announces today that up to $18 million will soon be available to qualified
applicants working to increase, support, or sustain the availability of affordable housing
in Hawai’i County.
Hawai’i County, through its Office of Housing and Community Development, will be
requesting proposals for Affordable Housing Production Program funds from eligible
developers, non-profit and for-profit organizations, public agencies, and community land
trusts starting May 1, 2023.
The funding, an unprecedented investment in the Hawai’i Island community, was made
possible through Ordinance 22-77, passed by the County Council in June 2022, and
signed into law by Mayor Roth. The law appropriates a minimum of $5 million per year
to the Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) to facilitate programs
that support affordable housing production in Hawai’i County.
The need for affordable housing on Hawai’i Island is dire, and increasing the availability
and accessibility of affordable housing remains the administration’s top priority. Per the
2019 Hawai’i Housing Planning Study, Hawai’i County needed to add 10,796 affordable
housing units by 2025 to meet the community’s needs. That makes public-private
partnerships like those that will be fostered by the Affordable Housing Production
Program critical to ensuring local families can thrive here for generations to come.
“To support and build a sustainable Hawai’i Island, we must address the availability and
quality of housing. This unprecedented investment in the community reflects the
administration’s continued commitment to prioritizing affordable housing development
and increasing the number of affordable rental and owner-occupied housing units
available to our ‘ohana,” said Housing Administrator Susan Kunz. “The Hawai’i County
Office of Housing and Community Development is pleased to administer the Affordable
Housing Production Program, and looks forward to partnering with qualified developers,
organizations, agencies and land trusts to support development and preservation of
much-needed affordable housing to ensure the viability of our communities.”
The $18 million available for the current request for proposals combines funding from
fiscal year 2022-23 and anticipated funding for fiscal year 2023-24. For the current fiscal
year, 2022-23, OHCD received $9 million. At least $9 million is anticipated for fiscal year
2023-24, which begins July 1.
Proposals for program funds must meet the primary objective of the Affordable Housing
Production Program to support, increase, and sustain the supply of affordable rental
and owner-occupied housing on Hawai’i Island, and other requirements.
A variety of activities may qualify for funding via the Affordable Housing Production
Program, including:
o Acquisition of real property for the development of affordable housing
o Planning, design or construction of affordable rental or owner-occupied
housing
o Rehabilitation of housing to be utilized as affordable housing
o Providing affordable housing for elderly, persons with special housing
needs and homeless residents lacking a permanent home
o Investment in infrastructure in connection with the development of
affordable housing projects
o Other activities that support, increase, and sustain affordable housing
production in Hawai’i County
Proposals must be submitted electronically only through an online application platform
that will be available on the OHCD website, www.hawaiicounty.gov/ahp, starting May 1,
2023. Proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. June 30, 2023.
Eligible non-profit and for-profit organizations, public agencies and community land
trusts considering proposal submissions and interested community members are
encouraged to take part in one of two virtual information sessions via Zoom. To register
for the first session at 1:30 p.m. May 4, 2023, visit tinyurl.com/386ce4xb. The second
session will be held at 9:30 a.m. May 9, 2023, visit tinyurl.com/4tjcr58d to register.
For more information on the upcoming request for proposals for Affordable Housing
Production Program funds, or to obtain a copy of the proposal guide, visit
www.hawaiicounty.gov/ahp or email ohcd.ahp@hawaiicounty.gov.
The Hawai’i County Office of Housing and Community Development is responsible for
the planning, administration, and operation of all County of Hawai’i housing programs.
Our Mission is to provide for the development of viable communities through decent
housing, suitable living environments and expanded economic opportunities.
###
MEDIA CONTACT:
Chelsea Jensen
Public Information Officer
Hawai’i County Office of Housing and Community Development
ChelseaA.Jensen@hawaiicounty.gov
(808) 932-5944