Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, April 24, 2023

    Hawaiʻi County, through its Office of Housing & Community Development, has announced that it will request 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. Deadline to apply this year is June 30.
   The Mayor said, "We're proud to build on our commitment of fostering a sustainable Hawaiʻi Island where our keiki can raise their keiki for generations by helping organizations to bolster affordable housing developments on our island. We're committed to getting local families into homes, and this is just one way we're working to ensure that we realize that commitment."

County Housing Administrator Susan Kunz.

    

    The County statement describes the funding as "an unprecedented investment in the Hawai'i Island community." It was made possible through Ordinance 22-77, passed by the County Council in June 2022, and signed into law the Mayor. The law appropriates a minimum of $5 million per year to the Office of Housing and Community Development to facilitate programs that support affordable housing production in Hawaiʻi County.
    A statement from the County says, "The need for affordable housing on Hawaiʻi Island is dire, and increasing the availability and accessibility of affordable housing remains the administration's top priority. Per the 2019 Hawaiʻi Housing Planning Study, Hawaiʻi 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.
    County Housing Administrator Susan Kunz said, "To support and build a sustainable Hawaiʻi 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. The Hawaiʻi 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 the 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:

    Acquisition of real property for the development of affordable housing;
    Planning, design, or construction of affordable rental or owner-occupied housing;
    Rehabilitation of housing to be utilized as affordable housing;
    Providing affordable housing for elderly, persons with special housing needs, and homeless residents lacking a permanent home;
    Investment in infrastructure in connection with the development of affordable housing projects; and
    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.
    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, 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 & Community Development is responsible for the planning, administration, and operation of all County of Hawai'i housing programs. Its mission is to provide for the development of viable communities through decent housing, suitable living environments and expanded economic opportunities.   

    Existing structures closer than 40 feet to the shore are grandfathered in but would require county variances to be enlarged, rebuilt or replaced. Repairs would be allowed without variances.

Attend After Dark in the Park at Kīlauea Visitor Center on Tuesday at 7 p.m. for a presentation on the Hawaiian Hawk 'io by wildlife biologist Dr. Kristina Paxton. NPS photo

        Last week, both Hawai'i County Leeward and Windward Planning Commissions held a joint meeting and discussed such details as definitions of beach, the shoreline itself, and consideration of archaeological sites and cultural resources along the shore along with the scope of dealing with requests for variances. Another meeting on the subject is set for Friday, June 2.
    Learn more about shoreline regulations and setback on the state website at https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/op/czm/program/sma/FAQ-SMA-OP.pdf. Also see the County of Hawai'i website on coastal zone management at https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/resources/special-management-area-sma.