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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023 Spring OHCD NewsletterOffice of Housing and Community Development Newsletter Spring 2023 Up to $18 million will soon beavailable to qualified applicants working to increase, support, orsustain and availability ofaffordable housing in HawaiʻiCounty. The funding, anunprecedented investment in the Hawaiʻi Island community, wasmade possible through Ordinance22-77, which appropriates aminimum of $5 million annually to facilitate programs that supportthe production of much-neededaffordable housing. Proposals willbe accepted May 1 to June 30. Interested parties are encouragedto attend information sessions viaZoom. To register for the firstsession at 1:30 p.m. May 4, visit tinyurl.com/386ce4xb. To registerfor the second session at 9:30 a.m.May 9, visit tinyurl.com/4tjcr58d.For full details on the Affordable Housing Production Program, visitwww.hawaiicounty.gov/ahp. Proposals Sought for Affordable Housing Production Funds Spring 2023 Stay Connected @hawaiicounty.officeofhousing The Hawaiʻi County Office of Housing andCommunityDevelopment will host acommunity meeting on May 15 to gather inputand recommendationsfor the development ofa master plan for the old Hilo MemorialHospital site at 34Rainbow Drive.Residents, service providers, stakeholdersand other interestedparties are encouragedto come have their sayin the future of the 25- acre property from 5 to6 p.m. May 15 in theAupuni CenterConference Room in Hilo. The plan will helpdetermine the future HAVE YOUR SAY Future of 34 Rainbow Drive (Old Hilo Memorial Hospital) to be Discussed May 15 uses of the site, including the number of affordable housing units and/or services that could be offered. Website: www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov County of Hawai'i Office of Housing and Community Development Monday, May 29 — Memorial Day Monday, June 12 — King Kamehameha I Day Tuesday, July 4 — Independence Day Upcoming Office Closures Reporting Income or Family Changes is Required Need help with electric or gas bills? The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is hereto assist. LIHEAP provides help toeligible households to offset the risingcosts of home energy. The Hawaiʻi County Economic Opportunity Council will accept applications for the program June 1 through June 30. For more information, including program requirements, visit https://hceoc.net/energy/liheap. Spring 2023 Taking good care of your rentalunit is not only important toremain eligible for rental assistance but is also the pono thing to do while living in a rentalunit and when getting ready tomove out. Households must keep rental units in good condition to remain eligible in the current rental unit and to be eligible tomove to another rental unit with housing assistance. Responsibilities of the tenant: • Live up to the terms of your lease. • Do your part to keep the unit safe and sanitary. • Cooperate with the owner byinforming him or her of any necessary repairs. • Cooperate with the OHCD forinitial, annual, and complaintinspections. For more tenant resources, visitwww.hawaiicounty.gov/tenants Taking GoodCare of YourRental Unit Section 8 families are required toreport in writing any change inincome (increase or decrease)within 30 days. Also, any changes to a householdcomposition, must be reportedwithin 30 days. Email updatedinformation to sec8info@hawaiicounty.gov, or drop off a letter in our office ordrop box outside the building. Get Help with Utility Bills Stay Connected @hawaiicounty.officeofhousing Are you a kūpuna on the DHHL Wait List who needs help paying rent? The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, in partnership with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, is providing rental subsidies for eligible kūpuna (age 62 and older) on the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) Wait List in Hawai’i. Learn more about the Kūpuna Rent Subsidy Program, and apply, at www.hawaiiancouncil.org/kupuna Rental Help for Native Hawaiian Kūpuna Landlords: Do You Have a VacantRental Unit? Earn a $3,000 bonus Let's partner to house more Hawai'i Island residents!The Office of Housing and Community Development isoffering a $3,000 sign-on bonus to landlords renting with a one-year lease to Emergency Housing, Veteran, Non-Elderly & Disabled, and Foster Young Adult voucher holders. To learn more about the benefits of being a partner landlord, call the Existing Housing Division at (808)959-4642, ext. 1904.