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Home My WebLink About2023 Fall OHCD NewsletterOffice of Housing and Community DevelopmentNEWSLETTER MAKING PROGRESS AT KUKUIOLA Site work for emergency shelter and assessment center on schedule 2 GRANT FUNDING AVAILABLE I N T H IS I S SU E FALL 2 023 VOL. 6 DRAFTING THE FUTURE 34 Rainbow Drive master plan taking shape Attendees of an Open House for 34 Rainbow Drive heldSeptember 14, 2023, at The Arc of Hilo shared their thoughtson the potential future uses for the site in Hilo.SEE 'MASTER PLAN' | PAGE 4 Proposals being accepted for CDBG, HOME, HOME-ARP and HTF funds 2 SAVE ON TAXES Program offers tax break to owners of affordable rentals 4 NSPIRE STANDARDS TAKE EFFECT New inspection standards issued for Section 8 rental properties 3 Left: An aerial view of the 34 Rainbow Drive site. Top center: Attendees learn more about the project during a May 15, 2023, community meeting at Aupuni Center. Bottom center and right: Attendees of the September 14, 2023, Open House offer input on the development of open acreage at the site in Hilo. County of Hawaiʻi photos A master plan for the future of 34Rainbow Drive is taking shape. Dozens of residents, stakeholders andother interested parties participated in acommunity meeting in May and an OpenHouse in September to help guide theOffice of Housing and CommunityDevelopment to determine the best use ofthe vacant acreage in Hilo. Through the well-attended publicoutreach events, combined with an onlineStoryMap and survey, planners FungAssociates Inc. and PBR Hawaii &Associates Inc. and the Office of Housingand Community Development have gaineda better understanding of the community’sneeds. “The Office of Housing and CommunityDevelopment appreciates the dedication ofour community in helping to identifypotential opportunities for development ofthe open land at 34 Rainbow Drive. Thissite, located near hospitals and other www.housing.hawaiicounty.govFALL 2 023 Affordable Connectivity Program applications being accepted ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS CAN RECEIVE A DISCOUNT TOWARD INTERNET SERVICE Looking for ways to save on monthly bills? TheAffordable Connectivity Program, which offers adiscount toward internet service, might be ableto help. The Affordable Connectivity Program is aFederal Communications Commission initiativedeveloped to help families and households affordinternet service. Under the program, eligible households canreceive up to $30 per month toward broadbandservice and up to $75 for households on Hawaiian Home Lands. Additionally, eligiblehouseholds can receive a one-time discount ofup to $100 off a laptop, desktop computer ortablet. Funded through the $65 billion InfrastructureInvestments and Jobs Act passed by Congress inNovember 2021, the Affordable ConnectivityProgram is administered by the HawaiiBroadband and Digital Equity Office. For more information, visithttps://broadband.hawaii.gov/acp/ The County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing and CommunityDevelopment has issued a request for proposals for a shareof over $10 million in federal funds. Proposals from eligible agencies and organizationsseeking the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developmentgrants and funding will be accepted until 4:30 p.m.November 15, 2023. “The Office of Housing andCommunity Development is pleased to announce this requestfor proposals for funding that will support a variety of efforts toenhance the quality of life for Hawaiʻi Island communities. Overthe years, these federal investments have helped withconstructing and renovating low- income, senior, and veteranhousing, acquiring and renovating shelters for victims of domesticviolence, and making community facilities accessible to all,” saidHousing Administrator Susan Kunz. “We encourage all eligibleapplicants to submit their projects for funding consideration.” For 2024, the County of Hawaiʻi anticipates it will receive about$2.6 million for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)Program in 2024; $3 million for the HOME InvestmentPartnerships (HOME) Program; $1.97 million for the HOME-American Rescue Plan (HOME- ARP) Program; and $3 million forthe National Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Program. For more information on program criteria, eligibilityrequirements, and program objectives for each fundingopportunity, visit www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov/grants-funding. CDBG, HOME,HOME-ARPAND HTFFUNDINGAVAILABLE Kukuiola Emergency Shelter and Assessment Center on schedule County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing and Community Development Housing Administrator Susan Kunz (far left) and Community Engagement Division Manager Sharon Hirota (left) get an update on the Kukuiola Emergency Shelter and Assessment Center from contractors during a recent site visit. Site preparation is progressing smoothly forthe Kukuiola Emergency Shelter and AssessmentCenter in Kailua-Kona. Crews are on schedule to complete massgrading and an access road for the center by thestart of 2024. Vertical construction of the much-needed facility will follow. The Kukuiola Emergency Shelter andAssessment Center will be built in two phases.The project’s first phase is funded in part by a$10 million federal grant secured by U.S. Sens.Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono. The first phase includes 16 emergency shelterunits, assessment center, shared communityrestroom facilities with showers, communitycenter and shared kitchen space, office space forcase management services, a manager’s unit, andopen space for community building activities. Inaddition, up 46 safe overnight parking stalls willbe provided at the site for unshelteredindividuals living in vehicles. A second phase will add 48 affordablepermanent housing units with supports,bringing the total number of units to 64. Proposals will be acceptedthroughNovember 15 www.housing.hawaiicounty.govFALL 2 023 The National Standards forthe Physical Inspection of RealEstate (NSPIRE) went into effecton October 1, 2023. NSPIRE improves the U.S.Department of Housing andUrban Development’s oversightby aligning and consolidatinginspection regulations used toevaluate HUD housing acrossmultiple programs. Itstrengthens HUD’s physicalcondition standards, formerlyknown as the Uniform PhysicalCondition Standard (UPCS) andthe Housing Quality Standards(HQS). The new model prioritizeshealth, safety, and functionaldefects over appearance. Itimplements inspections thatbetter reflect the true physicalcondition of the property. TheNSPIRE model supports theadoption of sound, year-roundmaintenance practices. With the move to NSPIRE,there will be some shifts ofinspections standards forSection 8 rentals. Gas StoveAttached Enclosed GarageGas Water Heater in thehomeFire PlaceOther Gas or Wood burningappliances NSPIRE going into effectrequires no immediate actionfrom Section 8 Participants,however, OHCD encouragesparticipants to work with theirlandlord, rental owner, orproperty manager to ensureunits meet these new standards. A few of the major changesinclude but are not limited to: Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm:If you have a: in your Section 8 Rental Unit, atminimum, you will need toinstall a Carbon Monoxide (CO)Detector/Alarm in thehallway(s) near the bedrooms. Smoke Alarm:Smoke Alarms will need to bepresent in ALL: BedroomsHallwaysKitchensStairwellsCommon areas (includesliving rooms and diningrooms) Carbon Monoxide Alarms andSmoke Alarms are consideredLife-Threatening deficiencies and must be fixed within 24hours of the County HousingInspection. Failure to do so willresult in the Housing AgencyAbating Payments. Recoup ofpayments during Abatement isnot possible. For more information,including specific standards,visithttps://tinyurl.com/yc3k3bcn. New inspection standards for Section 8 rentals The National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) went into effecton October 1, 2023, for Section 8 rentals. Courtesy photo NEW ‘NSPIRE’ MODEL PRIORITIZES HEALTH, SAFETY, AND FUNCTIONAL DEFECTS OVER APPEARANCE STAY CONNECTED www.housing.hawaiicounty.govFALL 2 023 UPCOMING OFFICE CLOSURES Friday, November 10 — Veterans Day Thursday, November 23 — Thanksgiving Day Monday, December 25 — Christmas Day Monday, January 1, 2024 — New Year’s Day Facebook: @hawaiicounty.officeofhousing Instagram: @hawaiicounty.officeofhousing Online: www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov Email: ohcd@hawaiicounty.gov services, offers a uniqueopportunity for the County ofHawaiʻi to create a place wheremembers of the community canreceive the support and housingthey need to prosper andthrive,” said HousingAdministrator Susan Kunz. During the September 14,2023, Open House, commentson potential future uses focusedon housing types andcomplementary supportiveservices such as mental healthresources, recreationalamenities, and medical facilities. Among the suggestions forfuture uses were buildingaffordable housing withsupportive services includingcrisis stabilization, a one-stopmental health facility mirroringArizona’s crisis care model, anddetox services. Otherssuggested a women’s residentialtreatment program, emergencyshelter and support services forthe homeless, psychiatric carefor youth, vocational trainingand afterschool programs,childcare services, and muchmore. Of the two conceptual masterplan layouts presented duringthe Open House, participantsexpressed a preference for thesecond alternative, whichincludes a through-road option,citing safety and access reasons. Now, planners will work tocomplete the master plan andaccompanying environmental assessment and archaeologicalstudies for the site. If all goes asplanned, the master plan anddraft studies should becomplete in spring 2024. The master plan and studiesare funded in-part by a $13million Congressional earmarksecured by U.S. Sens. MazieHirono and Brian Schatz. The majority of the federalfunding is being used torenovate the old Hilo MemorialHospital, which is located withinthe 25-acre site at 34 RainbowDrive. The renovation of theexisting facility is covered underthe 34 Rainbow Drive masterplan. Constructed in the 1920-30s,Hilo Memorial Hospital servedthe community’s health careneeds until the 1950s when HiloHospital opened on the groundsof what is today Hilo MedicalCenter. The old hospital and the stateland it sits on are under themanagement of the County ofHawaiʻi by way of a governor’sexecutive order. Per the order,the County must maintain thehistoric building, prompting therenovation work. Since the closure of HiloMemorial Hospital, variousagencies and entities haveoccupied the facility. Currently leasing space in thebuilding are Big IslandSubstance Abuse Council andHOPE Services Hawaiʻi. HOPEServices since late 2019 hasoperated its portion of thebuilding as Keolahou, an emergency shelter, and HaleKūlike, a permanent supportivehousing program serving singlemen. For more detailed informationor to keep up to date on the 34Rainbow Drive project, pleasevisit https://storymaps.arcgis.com/ MASTER PLAN: Continued from front Top: Conceptual master plan layout alternative 1. Above: Conceptual master plan layoutalternative 2. Of the two conceptual master plan layouts presented during the Open House,participants expressed a preference for the second alternative, which includes a through-roadoption, citing safety and access reasons. Courtesy renderings Program offers tax break to owners of affordable rentals Property owners who complywith the County of Hawaii’sAffordable Rental HousingProgram requirements mayapply for a reduction in realproperty taxes for the July 1,2024, through June 30, 2025, tax period. Application forms areavailable online atwww.hawaiipropertytax.com orat the Real Property TaxDivision’s office at Aupuni Center in Hilo and West HawaiʻiCivic Center in Kailua-Kona. Applications, and supportingdocumentation, must bepostmarked or submitted to theReal Property Tax Division nolater than 4:30 p.m. December31, 2023. Because the submittaldeadline falls on a Sunday,property owners who plan tosubmit an application in-personat a Real Property Tax Division Studio: $1,202One Bedroom: $1,276Two Bedrooms: $1,658Three Bedrooms: $2,134Four Bedrooms: $2,355Five Bedrooms: $2,708Six Bedrooms: $3,061 office should do so by 4:30 p.m.December 29, 2023. Affordable Rental HousingRates for the 2024-25 tax periodare as follows: Affordable Rental Housing Studio: $1,311One Bedroom: $1,392Two Bedrooms: $1,809Three Bedrooms: $2,328Four Bedrooms: $2,569Five Bedrooms: $2,954Six Bedrooms: $3,339 Rate exceptions are available forthe following ZIP Codes: 96719,96725, 96738, 96739, 96740,96743, 96745, and 96755. For more information, call(808) 961-8201. SCAN THEQR CODE TO VIEW THE 34RAINBOW DRIVESTORYMAP stories/87313daae1124f2e863fa191003fa091.