HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024 Spring OHCD NewsletterOffice of Housing and Community DevelopmentNEWSLETTER
SPRING 2 024 V OL. 8
ON THE HOMESTRETCH
lanai being offered are in elevator-servedbuildings to facilitate aging in place. A centralcommunity center will include spaces for acommon area lounge, coffee bar, fitness room,and other amenities to encourage community-building and socialization. The center will alsofeature a multi-purpose room and kitchen toprovide space for larger tenants’ social and
SEE 'HALE NĀ KOA' | PAGE 2
Hawaiʻi Island’s newest affordable seniorrental housing community will soon begin towelcome residents. Hale Nā Koa ʻO Hanakahi should be completedby July 2024 offering 91 units to veterans,surviving spouses and other income-qualifiedseniors aged 62 years or older. Located at 118West Kawili Street in Hilo, Hale Nā Koa will servehouseholds earning up to 80% of Area MedianIncome, as determined by the U.S. Departmentof Housing and Urban Development. “As the Developer and Property Manager, EAHHousing planned Hale Nā Koa to provide safeand stable housing options for Hawaii islandseniors with an intentional focus on prioritizingveterans and surviving spouses facing housinginsecurity or are at risk of being unhoused. HaleNā Koa seeks to create a supportive communityenvironment that fosters camaraderie andconnection among residents, leveraging theshared experiences of military service,” saidMarian Gushiken, EAH Housing’s vice presidentof real estate development for Hawaiʻi. “Each ofthe spacious one-bedroom units with private
The community center will feature a lounge, coffee bar, fitness room, and other amenities. OHCD photo
Workers use a telehandler to lift insulation to be installed in units at Hale Nā Koa ʻO Hanakahi. OHCD photo
Hale Nā Koa ʻO Hanakahi nearing completion
Emergency
shelter gets
energy
upgrade
A photovoltaic roof-mounted system withbatteries is being installed at the WestHawai’i Emergency Shelter. OHCD photo
The West Hawai’iEmergency Shelter will soonbecome more energy efficientthanks to a solar-plus-batterysystem upgrade. A roof-mountedphotovoltaic system withbatteries aims to reduceelectric utility costs to zero isbeing installed at the 31-bedshelter in Kailua-Kona. Savingsare estimated at $34,000annually. Additionally, the shelter’sroof is getting a fresh coat ofhigh-performance epoxy paintand the gutter and downspoutsystem are being replaced toalign with the lifespan of thenew photovoltaic system. “These upgrades will reduceoperating costs allowing theproperty operator to redirectfunds in an ongoing effort toenhance services for membersof the communityexperiencing homelessness,”said Housing AdministratorSusan Kunz. The project is fundedprimarily via CommunityDevelopment Block Grantfunds with the remainder fromCounty of Hawaiʻi capitalimprovement project funds. Contractor Stan’sContracting, Inc., anticipatesthe project will be complete inmid-April.
STAY CONNECTED
property managers,and the public to commit to provideor advocate for equal housing opportunities for all. To register for any or — all — of the virtual training seminars,scan the QR Code above right orsend an email to cristina.pineda@hawaiicounty.gov. For more information on FairHousing and to view theproclamation, visitwww.housing.hawaiicounty.gov/community-resources/fair-housing.
SPRING 202 4 VOL . 8
AMENDMENTS TO AHP PROGRAM RULES FINALIZED
UPCOMING OFFICE CLOSURES
Monday, May 27 — Memorial Day
Tuesday, June 11 — King Kamehameha I Day
Thursday, July 4 — Independence Day
Friday, August 16 — Statehood Day
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Online: www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov
Email: ohcd@hawaiicounty.gov
enrichment activities which willbe organized by EAH staff andcoordinated with communityproviders.” The $58 million project isfunded via Hula Mae multi-family bond financing, RentalHousing Revolving Fund loans,and state and federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. Additional funding was
provided by the County ofHawai‘i through the HOME andHousing Trust Fund programs,as well as project-based Section8 vouchers, and the long-termground lease for the land. “The County of Hawaiʻi ispleased to be a partner inhelping to bring this much-needed housing project toreality for our kūpuna andveterans,” said HousingAdministrator Susan Kunz.“Affordable housing has
HALE NĀ KOA:
Continued from front
been a cornerstone of MayorRoth’s administration, and theOffice of Housing andCommunity Developmentremains committed toleveraging its resources toensure every Hawaiʻi Islandresident has a safe place to callhome.” While the application deadlineto be included in a lottery todetermine the order ofapplication processing will close on April 11, 2024, EAH
April is National Fair Housing Month
2024 marks the 56thanniversary of the passage ofthe Fair Housing Act, a landmarkcivil rights law signed byPresident Lyndon B. Johnson onApril 11, 1968. The theme of thisyear’s National Fair HousingMonth is “Fair Housing: The ACTin Action.”
The FairHousing Actprohibitsdiscrimination inhousing becauseof race, color,national origin,religion, sex(including genderidentity andsexualorientation/expression), disability,and familialstatus. The Stateof Hawaiʻi hasenacted further
protectionsprohibitingdiscrimination onthe basis of maritalstatus, ancestry,age, HIV infection,or use of housingassistance (Section8) programs. To mark NationalFair Housing Month,County of HawaiʻiMayor Mitch Rothhas issued aproclamationencouraging alllandlords, realtors,
MAYOR ROTH ISSUESPROCLAMATION;FREE VIRTUAL
TRAINING SEMINARSOFFERED
This survey provides a channelfor participants to indicate which housing initiatives they believe should be prioritized for funding andaims to involve the communityin shaping the goals andpriorities for the upcomingFiscal Year 2024-25 AHPProgram funding cycle. To takethe survey, scan the QR Code atabove right. For more information on theAffordable Housing ProductionProgram, amendedAdministrative Rules, andcurrent funding cycle, visitwww.hawaiicounty.gov/ahp.
The Office of Housing andCommunity Development(OHCD) has finalizedamendments to the AffordableHousing Production (AHP)Program Administrative Rules,which took effect on April 7,2024. The final amended rulescan be viewed on the AHPProgram's website. During the 30-day review andcomment period, the OHCDreceived concerns relating to aproposed amendment removingan activity under Section 3-2"Eligible Activities." Item (5),which focused on providingaffordable housing for theelderly, individuals with specialhousing needs, and homeless
residents lacking a permanentresidence, was removed as it isalready covered under theexisting activities within thesame section, ensuringcontinued eligibility for suchpopulation. The amendment does notchange the overarchingrequirements of the Program.Rather the support for theseinitiatives continues under theOHCD's vision to fosterinclusive communities thatintegrate affordable housingsolutions across a spectrum ofneeds without isolating specificgroups. Provided that thehousing is permanent and meetsthe Program's criteria,
project proposals for any groupsare welcomed. However, theOHCD encourages proposalsthat are diverse in their residentdemographics, offering a mix ofhousing options for a wide rangeof income levels withoutsegregating individuals. Thisapproach promotes housingsolutions where economicstatus or special needs do notisolate residents, but rather,contribute to a communitywhere everyone has a place tocall home. To further this vision, theOHCD invites the community to provide feedback via anaffordable housing needs surveythrough April 18, 2024.
Housing encourages prospective tenants to continue to apply online.Applications will be logged bydate and time received andplaced on a waiting list forconsideration if units areavailable. For more information and todownload the applicationpackage, visit EAH Housing’swebsite atwww.eahhousing.org/apartments/hilo.
OHCD encourages community members to complete affordable housing needs survey