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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 Annual Community Assessment Report•D • NT 9CD-21102 `'• Mayor of the County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Honolulu Field Office — Region IX 1132 Bishop Street, Suite 1400 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.4918 wwwhud.gov espanol,hud,gov FATOMARM QUBJECT: Annual Community Assessment (ACA) Report Program Year 2019 The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has reviewed the County of Hawaii's (County's) February 18, 2021 Annual Community Assessment (ACA) IW- ts the revisiorm submitted in IDIS for the PR -26 report and HUD concurs on the 17% for the planning and administrative cap in the report. The ACA report is now final, and the County can make it available to the public using your standard notification process. Asm=014A Will Sincerely, Mark A. Chandler, Director eg and Development cc: wait HCD- Housing. Administrati F ile: 9CD Official Files , HC PY 2019 1 MW1,JK= Robert H. Command evuttfv of Pawai'li 1 r of f4reffingur `5 A qpury Stucm Smit 7eV)3 * I I ipo Fh%,o-t 96720 a 008961..8211 i a 'Fj% 01,08) 19611 -65:50 K0`14A, 74-5044 Am: Keohokokle I I wy , Bldg C * Kaflua,.Knna, Hav6air:u 96740 0104021-4444 @ FaK(R0802344-4) 'Mark Chandler, Director Honolulu Field Office - Region IX U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 1132 Bishop Street, Suite 1400 Honolulu, Hawal'i 96813 e-mail: CPDHono1W Mark.A.ChandJPrn.n,hud,_qov QUBJECT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM RESPONSE TO ANNUAL COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT (ACA) REPORT FOR PROGRAM YEAR 2019 iike-to address, One of the issues was the County exceeded the 20 percent planning and administrative cap for Program Year 2019, by 2 percent, as reflected in the PR -26 Report. The County feels that the Program Year 2019 PR -26 report was submitted in error. The County unknowingly didn't include any unliquidated obligations in the report which caused the Program Year 2019 planning and administration expenditure to be inflated by approximately 5 percent. After entering them in their respective adjustment columns, the net planning administration expense total has decreased to 17 percent which is in compliance with the cap. The amended PR -26 Report is attached. 1,51Nk6,,E'yS Counq ol Fla",Wu isan Equal Opjxmunny Elw%iderand Eniplver Lastly, the County appreciates HUD's acknowledgement of the County's CDBG, HOME and HTF -#,rogram accomplishments due to the successful implementation of activities, and its designation reassessment as a High Risk CDBG Grantee to a Moderate Risk CDBG grantee as it pertains to thf�- regular CDBG program. In conclusion, the County wants to share its appreciation for HUD's guidance and support. The County looks forward to continue working with HUD on the Community Planning Development Programs to help our community thrive and succeed. Should you have any questions or need further information, please call Susan K. Kunz at (808) 961-8379. Sincerely, Mitchell D. Roth Mayor, County of Hawai'i c: Susan K. Kunz, County OHCD Ad Deanna Sako, County Finance Director Royce Y. Shiroma, d GM Division I Cuunly of flawag i os an Equal Opponunity Pmvtder and Employer AND DEVEMPMENT 9CD-21102 The Honorable Mitch Roth 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 1 1132 Bishop Street, Suite 1400 Hondulu, Hawaii 96813-4918 www hud,gov espanol,hud gov SUBJECT: Annual Community Assessment (ACA) Report Program Year 2019 rt7,T,yg*"rnm=, --%Oj��!:!xy This letter is being sent to convey HUD's assessment of the County of Hawaii's (County's) performance for its 2019 Community Planning and Development (CPD) Program Year. The report reflects the County's efforts to ensure HUD program compliance. As part of HUD's annual review, the Department wants to take this opportunity to address the Community in ensuring that the intent of the CDBG program is achiev�d. HUD CDBG regulations require recipients to carry out their CDBG activities in a timely manner thus ensuring low- and moderate -income persons are assisted. The standard requires grantees to be at a 1.50 CDBG timeliness ratio 60 days prior to the end of their program year. In of that amount. The County's program year ends June 30 of each year. About May 2of each year, or 60 days prior to the end of the County's program year, the County must have a CDBG grant ratio of 1.50 or less. When the 60 -day test was conducted on May 2, 2020, the County had a CDBG timeliness ratio of 1.47. ne enclosed Annual Community Assessment Report reflects HUD's assessment of the County's implementation of its CPD programs. It notes the County's successes and areas needing improvement. Please note that the report identifies the County as not meeting the planning and administrative I. The County exceeded the planning and administrative cap for PY 2019 expending more than the 20% cap. Specifically, the County's submitted IDIS PR -26 report indicates the County expended 22% of its grant funds for program administration. With respect to compliance, grantees will be considered to be in compliance if total obligations charged under 20 percent of the sum of the entitlement grant for the program year, and the program income received during that program year by grantee and its subrecipient. As a result, the County will have to repay the 2% overage to its CDBG program with nonfederal funds. If the County feels it summited its PY2019 PR -26 report with errors, the County may make corrections to the report in IDIS and submit a corrected PR -26 to HUD for review. The County will have 30 days from the date of this letter to comment on the report. 9A41 period, please consider © report final and make it available to the public using your standard notification process. MUM lit I I Si I Mark A. Chandler, Director Office of Community Planning and Development CC' Hawaii Counqc,-OHCD,l Ho Administrator W/enclosure,) 9CE: Madaraka (w/enclosure) File: 9CD Official Files, HC PY 2019 010 RE11 911 V4111 "'I'll I ZOOM 1:111112111=0its Trian Johnson genior Community Planning and Development Representative HUD Honolulu Field Office 1132 Bishop Street, Suite 1400 onolulu, HI 96813 (808) 4574679 FM�4 � County of Hawaii 3 'A W11 LX M1ITI M111W41W County Point of Contact: Ms. Susan Kunz County o Hawaii 1990 Kinoole Street, Suite 102 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 (808) 961-8379 The Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, and the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, require federal grant recipients receiving federal assistance under the Act to submit an annual performance report disclosing the status of grant activities. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is required by 24 CFR 91.525 to determine whether the grant recipient is in compliance with the statutes and has the continuing capacity to implement and administer the programs for which assistance is received. In of Hawaii's (County's) Program Year 2019 (PY19) performance. In assessing the County's performance, HUD relied pnimarily upon the County's PY19 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), technical assistance, remote monitoring, and communications with the County's federal programs staff. During this period, HUD has determined that the County generally met the intent of the Community Planning and Development (CPD) programs. Based on the County's accomplishments through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and the Housing Trust Fund (HTF), the County has demonstrated its ability to carry out various housing and community development programs. HUD congratulates the County on its many accomplishments and its achievement of CPD program objectives. 9 Significant Performance Conclusions In general, the County effectively administers the CDBG, HOME, and HTF grant fimds. In accordance with the CDBG regulations, the timeliness ratio benchmark should be 1.50 sixty 4ys prior to the end of the County's program year. The County's CDBG timeliness ratio was 1.45 as of May 2, 2020. HUD congratulates the County on its accomplishments and encourages the County to continue seeking ways for timely project implementation. As a reminder, HUD Alvii,mcU M ,ctee,-_-� &,a fijilure tx, meet the timeliness ratix of 1110 map result in the. loss of future grant funds. The County exceeded the planning and administrative cap for r0The PR -26 report in IDIS had 22%. With respect to compliance, grantees will be considered to be in compliance if total obligations charged under planning and administration during the most recently completed program year are no greater than 20 percent of the sum of the entitlement grant for the program year, and the program income received during that program year 4.y ,,.. . « yree and its subrecipient. As a result, the County will have to repay the 2% overage to its CDBG program with nonfederal funds. If the County feels it summited its PY2019 PR -26 report with errors, the County may make corrections to the report in IDIS and submit a corrected PR -26 to HUD for review. The County is a recipient of the State of Hawaii's (State's) HOME and HTF program funds. While the primary source of HOME and HTF information is the State's CAPER, HUD notes that the County's CAPER did include substantial data to inform the citizens about HOME- .?nd HTF-funded projects within the County. I I n M WiT MT i I R ki t o. N N i IF I oil 4 a9muz =! CDBG projects selected by the County for the PYI 9, when complete, will primarily benefit low- and moderate -income persons. During this period, HUD noted that the County completed several CDBG-funded projects, including the following: completed the roof designs and construction for both Kiheipua and Hale MaJuh-V9 Homeless Shelter Projects; I 1 11111 11!1111 , 11!!11111111 1111111!111111111, 501744 'TRimmm ufftomm K renovation and improvements for the Hale Ohana and West Hawaii DomestO Abuse Shelter projects; I renovation of improvements of the Kulaimano Elderly Housing roof, community center and parking lot accessibility. in m"o mommm �IMMM17 fair housing. HUD notes that during PY 19, the County accomplished die following program objectives: • rehabilitated 5 homes to address health and safety issues; • provided 83 new households housing through its TBRA program; • completed the removal and installation of new roofs at the Kiheipua and Hale Maluhia homeless shelter projects; • awarded the non-profit Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island (BGCBI) CDBG- CV funds to purchase food supplies and equipment necessary to prepare food for meals at certified kitchen to serve the vulnerable populations • completed 8 total training sessions in FY 2019, which included 90 allendees, for property managers, homeless programs and for the general public; The State has the primary reporting responsibility for the HOME and HTF programs. HUD will review the State's CAPER as the official report but commends the County for mcluding data in its CAPER to infonn its citizens about HOME- and HTF-funded projects. HUD encourages the County to seek leveraging of other federal, state, and private resources to NLL41am igl Continuum of Care During PY 19, the County has partnered with non-profit organizations and other ,government agencies to help individuals and families from becoming homeless. It participates in various community events where it provides information about homeless services and resources available to the community. 12 HOPE Services Hawaii, Inc. (HOPE) was the key provider in assisting the homeless in the county. HOPE provided outreach to 1,324 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. -ej 1 and emergency shelter as needed. Along with other partners, HOPE provided outreach service completed needs assessments, and connected families to financial and housing resources withi andJor outside the county's jurisdiction. Community Empowerment The County provided opportunities for citizen participation during the development of the CAPER through local newspaper publications and availability of the document at various public facties and libraries. Despite the opportunities available for public participation in the reporting process, no public comments were received for the CAPER submission. HUD reporting process. Management of Funds In accordance with the CDBG regulations, the timeliness ratio benchmark should be 1.50 or below sixty days prior to the end of the County's program year. On the test date of May 2, 2020, the County's timeliness ratio was 1.45. The staff responsible for the CPD programs works diligently to ensure HUD funding is spent in accordance with program requirements. As timely project implementation and expenditure of funds have become a timeliness ratio of 1.50 or less. HUD anticipates the County will continue to achieve the timeliness goals and that these efforts will ensure future CDBG funding will not be compromised. The County exceeded the planning and administrative cap for PY 2019. The PR - 0.16 report in IDIS had 22%. With respect to compliance, grantees will be considered to be in compliance if total obligations charged under planning and administration during the most recently completed program year are no greater than 20 percent of the sum of the entitlement grant for the program year, and the program income received during that program year by grantee and its subrecipient. As a result the County will have to repay the 2% overage to its CDBG program with nonfederal funds. If the County feels it summited its PY2019 PR -26 report with errors the Countw m&- rrected PR -26 P make corrections to the rexort in IDIS and submit a co to HUD for review. 9 F'r !■ i JFPrWT.7NTWr Tr, Ir'IT, #1111 tow t 1", 11 11 plit . '010 The County needs to continue to monitor its ongoing CDBG, HOME, and HTF projects to ensure timely implementation. HUD recommends that the County identify project obstacles and develop plans to address these obstacles to strengthen its programs. The CAPER was provided to the HUD Honolulu Field Office, Fair Housing and Equal Spportunity Division for review. FHEO's comments are as follows: The County continues to promote awareness and education of fair housing issues and takes actions which help minimize and eliminate the unfair treatment of individuals in housing. During PY19, the OHCD and partner agencies across the state continued to provide training to educate the community. Unfortunately, the annual Fair Housing Seminar, scheduled for April 2020 was cancelled because of the pandemic. However, virtual and phone assistance remained available. The Fair Housing coordinator helped in response to 50 inquiries via phone or email. A virtual seminar will be held next year to keep the public informed on the latest information. The County continues tomaintain a fair housing website, which provides assistance to individuals who have fair housing inquiries. In PY2019, there were approximately 1,986 hits to the website for people seeking information. The County's analysis of impediments (AI) revealed that OHCD, and other Fair Housing resources included staff that lacked training. Many staff were unaware of resources to refer to th% public. As a response, the County hosted 2 virtual trainings for departmental staff. An updated Fair Housing resource poster was created for distribution to local housing agencies or public facilities within the County. The OHCD completed eight public training sessions in FY 2019, which included 90 attendees. The OHCD also hosted the first virtual meeting for Fair Housing coordinators throughout the state, to plan and address Fair Housing concerns. The Fair Housing coordinator attended 7 training sessions, to keep informed of the latest updates available to assist the community. Any concerns regarding FHEO comments should be addressed to Mr. Jelani Madaraka, L-ead Civil Rights Analyst, HUD Honolulu Field Office Overall, the County of Hawaii is meeting its community needs by planning and executing a Consolidated Plan with a vision for the future, and by implementing this Plan through its Annual Action Plan. As a result, the County has assisted many communities and especially low- to rderate-income persons. HUD encourages the County to continue its support of various housing and community development programs, and especially wish to recognize the hard work of the County staff working on the CPD programs for their dedication. The program staff is a credit to the County and its CPD programs.