NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Kauai County Housing Agency (KCHA), pursuant to Chapter 17 of its Administrative Plan and Federal regulations at 24 CFR 983 announces the solicitation to interested and qualified housing developers or development owners to apply for the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Program. The PBV Program is a component of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program funded by the US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). Like HCV, PBV provides federal rental assistance subsidies to income-qualifying families and households that enable them to rent decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private rental market. Whereas in HCV where the rental subsidy is tied to a voucher which in turn is allotted to a family or household, under PBV, the rental subsidy is tied to a specific rental unit and not the family or household.

Under the PBV Program, a Public Housing Authority (PHA) can allocate up to 20 percent of its voucher assistance to specific housing units if the owner agrees to either rehabilitate or construct the units, or the owner agrees to set aside a portion of the units in an existing development. All units must meet HUD housing quality standards. Under the PBV Program, a PHA enters into an assistance contract with the owner for specified units and for a specified term. The PHA refers families from its waiting list to the project owner to fill vacancies. Because assistance is tied to the unit, a family who moves from the project-based unit does not have any right to continued housing assistance. However, they may be eligible for a tenant-based voucher under HCV when one becomes available. Rents in the PBV Program are set based upon market comparables of similar units in the project and surrounding vicinity and may not exceed 110 percent of the HUD-published existing housing fair market rents.

Applicants for the PBV Program shall be an owner of existing affordable rental developments or projects with at least one year of experience in ownership and/or management of said developments or projects. For purposes of the PBV Program, “existing affordable rental developments or projects” are such housing units or properties that are already constructed and have tenants residing in individual rental units on premises. Also, applicants for the PBV Program shall be an owner of rehabilitated or newly constructed housing developments or projects. For purposes of the PBV Program, “rehabilitated or newly constructed developments or projects” are such housing units or properties that are proposed to be rehabilitated or constructed. The selected application will be chosen based on the greatest number of rental units being proposed to utilize PBV funding and for the length of time the applicant desires to utilize the PBV Program. The selected applicant will be required to be in Hawaii Compliance Express (HCE) clearance if receiving over $25,000 in contract awards.

KCHA estimates that up to Sixty (60) units in the County of Kauai will be assisted under the funding available for the purposes of the PBV Program. To respond to this solicitation, all interested applicants are required to complete and submit a PBV application from KCHA. The PBV application is available for download at PBV APPLICATION PACKET or may be requested via mail by contacting the HCV Program Manager at (808) 241-4440, between the hours of 8:00AM and 4:00PM, Monday through Thursday, except for legal holidays.

The application deadline for this solicitation is 4:00PM HST on April 25, 2022 .

Questions, comments or requests for additional information may be directed to Jennifer Toguchi, Program Manager at jtoguchi@kauai.gov; via phone at (808) 241-4440; or by mail at 4444 Rice Street, Suite 330, Lihue, HI 96766.

Accommodations for persons with disabilities, persons requesting auxiliary aides or materials in a different format and interpreters for non-English speaking citizens will be available upon written request by contacting Jennifer Toguchi at (808) 241-4440.

Adam Roversi Housing Director

Kauai County Housing Agency

Publish Date: March 11, 2022, March 18, 2022, March 25, 2022

LĪHU‘E – As part of National Fair Housing Month in April, the Kaua‘i County Housing Agency and other state and county agencies will be providing free training opportunities for landlords and tenants to learn about the most current federal and state Fair Housing laws.

This year’s training will be held virtually via Cisco Webex Meetings at the following schedule.

• April 7, 2022 – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Fair Housing 101: An Overview

• April 14, 2022 – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Disability, Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications, and Assistance Animals
• April 21, 2022 – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Case Studies

• April 28, 2022 – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Expert Panel (Question and Answer Session)

This year’s Fair Housing Month theme is “Where I Live There Are Rainbows…And Fair Housing.” Experts from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission (HCRC), and Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i will present the most current information and answer questions regarding the most current Federal and State Fair Housing Laws. Various topics will be covered in each weekly session.

You may register for these free sessions electronically, starting immediately at: 2022 VIRTUAL FAIR HOUSING CONFERENCE

If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, you may request this when you register. Requests made as early as possible will allow adequate time to fulfill your request. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy. If you have any questions, please contact Jocelyn Marie at 808-241-1977.

KAUAI COUNTY HOUSING AGENCY

LEGAL PUBLIC NOTICE

DRAFT ANNUAL ACTION PLAN 2022

To all interested Agencies, Groups and Persons:

Notice is hereby given that the Kauaʻi County Housing Agency (KCHA) will hold a video teleconference on the Consolidated Plan 2020-2025, third program year, draft Annual Action Plan (AAP) 2022 and proposed projects that have been recommended for anticipated funding assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), and Housing Trust Fund (HTF) programs. Pursuant to 24 CFR 91, the public hearing is to afford citizens the opportunity to provide written or oral comments to the draft AAP 2022 and proposed projects. The hearing will be held on:

Monday, March 14, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.

Registration and connectivity: anyone interested in attending the Microsoft Teams video teleconference must register with the Housing Agency at least one (1) hour prior to the hearing by sending an email to housing@kauai.gov or by calling (808) 241-4444, and providing your name, telephone number, and email address. A link to the video teleconference will be emailed to you following the registration.

PROPOSED CDBG PROJECTS:

PUBLIC SERVICES

a. Project HiEHiE – Kauaʻi $ 40,000.00

(Project Vision Hawaiʻi)

Support direct staffing, mobile operations, and delivery of health and hygiene services to people

experiencing homelessness.

PUBLIC FACILITIES

b. DV Shelter Disaster Preparedness $157,747.00

(YWCA of Kauaʻi)

Improve energy efficiency by installing a photovoltaic system with battery storage for an independent, cost-effective

system for the island’s only 24-hour emergency family domestic violence shelter to ensure services are uninterrupted,

including times of a natural disaster.

c. Hale Hoʻomalu Family Center Expansion Renovations Project (Phase II) $159,170.00

(CFS Real Property, Inc.)

Rehabilitate and make ADA improvements to enhance and expand the facility that supports family programs, services

and community activities that directly benefit low- to moderate-income individuals, households, and families.

d. Waimea Canyon Park ADA Improvements $213,214.00

(Department of Parks and Recreation)

Improve the park and provide access in compliance with ADA to expand recreational opportunities for people of

all ages and abilities.

ADMINISTRATION

e. Administration $142,532.00

(Kauaʻi County Housing Agency)

General program administration, project implementation, compliance monitoring, evaluation, record-keeping and

reporting.

TOTAL ANTICIPATED CDBG FUNDING $712,663.00

KCHA anticipates receiving $712,663.00 in grant funds from HUD for the PY 2022 CDBG annual allocation. KCHA will

continue to administer the Home Purchase Program and Homebuyer Loan Program utilizing revolving loan funds dedicated to

the programs. Should there be an increase or decrease in the actual allocation amount, the lowest ranked project from each

category will be adjusted accordingly.

The public is advised that the County of Kaua’i may exercise the option to incur pre-award costs for projects in its PY 2022 budget pursuant to 24 CFR 570.200(h)

to assist with compliance of CDBG timeliness regulations. Non-CDBG funds used for pre-award costs will be reimbursed upon receipt of PY 2022 CDBG funds

from HUD.

KCHA is scheduled to receive the next rotation round of HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) and Housing Trust Funds (HTF) funds in this AAP. Should funds become available from Hawaiʻi Housing and Finance Development Corporation (HHFDC) or should any CDBG, HOME, or HTF funds become available from cancelled or completed projects, or by receipt of program income or revolving funds, such funds may be reprogrammed to any open Action Plan project in accordance with the requirements of the County's Citizen Participation Plan and prior approval from HUD or HHFDC.

PROPOSED HOME PROJECTS:

1. Lima Ola Phase I, Multi-Family Affordable Rental Project $1,850,000.00

(Ahe Group LLC)

New construction of multi-family rentals (1, 2, and 3-bedroom) for tenants whose income is at or below 80% of the

Kauaʻi Area Median.

2. Lima Ola Phase I, Senior Housing Affordable Rental Project $ 405,000.00

(Ahe Group LLC)

New construction of senior rental housing (1-bedroom) for tenants whose income is at or below 60% of the Kauaʻi

Area Median.

TOTAL HOME FUNDING $2,255,000.00

PROPOSED HTF PROJECTS:

a. Lima Ola Phase I, Multi-Family Affordable Rental Project $2,700,000.00

(Ahe Group LLC)

New construction of multi-family rentals (1, 2, and 3-bedroom) for tenants whose income is at or below 30% of the

Kauaʻi Area Median.

TOTAL HTF FUNDING $2,700,000.00

The purpose of the 5-Year CP and AAP 2022 is to ensure that jurisdictions receiving federal assistance, plan for housing and related needs in a way that improves availability and affordability of decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expands economic opportunities, principally for low- to moderate-income persons (CDBG); expand the supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing, with the primary focus on rental housing for very low- and low-income households (HOME) and extremely low-income and very low-income households (HTF).

The draft AAP 2022 is available for review at: https://www.kauai.gov/Government/Departments-Agencies/Housing-Agency/Housing-Community-Development/Community-Development-Block-Grant-Program-CDBG. Written comments may be submitted via email to kbarros@kauai.gov (CDBG), or sfranco@kauai.gov (HOME and HTF), or via U.S. mail to: Kauaʻi County Housing Agency, 4444 Rice Street, Suite 330, Līhuʻe, Hawaiʻi 96766. The 30-day comment period will commence on March 1, 2022. All comments received by March 31, 2022, will be considered in preparing the final AAP 2022.

Closed captioning services will be provided for the video teleconferencing hearing. If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodations due to a disability, call 241-4444 or email housing@kauai.gov as soon as possible, preferably ten (10) days prior to the meeting date. If a response is received after that, we will try to obtain the auxiliary aid/service or accommodation, but we cannot guarantee that the request will be fulfilled. Upon request, this notice is available in alternate formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic copy.

By order of the Mayor

County of Kauaʻi

Derek S.K. Kawakami

Mayor

Publish Date: February 28, 2022

COMBINED PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

County and Island of Kaua'i

February 8, 2022

Kaua'i County Housing Agency

4444 Rice Street, Suite 330

Līhu'e, HI 96766

This Notice shall satisfy the above-cited two separate but related procedural notification requirements for activities to be undertaken by Kaua'i County Housing Agency.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about February 8, 2022, Kaua'i County Housing Agency will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of HUD Housing Choice Voucher Program funds, to undertake a project to construct a multifamily residential development known as the Kai ʻŌlino Affordable Housing Development (proposed project) in 'Ele'ele, County and Island of Kaua'i.

In response to the critical need for affordable housing, Āhē Group is proposing to repurpose a portion of the planned condominiums for affordable housing. Originally part of a larger uncompleted residential project, the project site was partially developed by previous owners for condominiums. While the condominiums were not completed during the original construction, all of the entitlements, investigative reports, and initial construction of the site, including mass clearing and grading, retaining walls, parking pads, roadways, infrastructure and underground utilities (sewer, water, drainage, etc.) were completed. Following the original construction plans, the proposed project would consist of three residential buildings for a total of 75 multi-family housing units, which would provide 48 new affordable rental units for low-income households and 27 new market rate residential units. The affordable housing would accommodate a blend of affordable incomes, as well as serve families and individuals experiencing homelessness.

Of the 48 affordable rental units, 36 units will be two- bedroom unit types and 12 units will be three-bedroom unit types. One of the two-bedroom affordable housing units will be reserved for the onsite manager. Of the 27 market rate units, 20 units will be two- bedroom unit types and 7 will be three-bedroom unit types. In addition to providing much needed affordable housing, the proposed project would provide residents with additional improvements and amenities, including onsite parking, laundry facilities, a manager’s office and maintenance building, bicycle parking, and a covered pavilion recreational area with barbeques and restrooms.

Parking will be provided following County of Kaua'i, Department of Planning requirements. The planned parking area includes a total of 160 parking stalls. The planned parking area includes covered parking for more than half of the stalls. There will be eight handicapped parking stalls (six are van accessible) and ten guest stalls. The project will be ADA compliant and in conformance with the provisions of the ADA standards. The proposed project design includes ADA units with mobility and communication features.

The covered pavilion recreational area would be placed along the ocean side of the property along with a covered, community “front porch” leading out to an additional green space.  The covered pavilion recreational area would include barbeques and restrooms. 

Additional site enhancements include enhanced landscaping and accessible paths to all amenities. The proposed project will implement water conservation measures to the extent practicable. These may include new low flow plumbing fixtures, drought tolerant plants and/or xeriscaping, and water conservation irrigation systems.

The proposed project includes installation of solar/photovoltaic panels for the project. The project will meet the Hawai'i State Energy Code requirements. Various design strategies will include incorporating natural lighting to illuminate interior spaces, installing energy-efficient mechanical electrical systems to maximize energy savings, installing high-efficiency LED light fixtures and bulbs to save energy, and incorporating architectural design features. In addition, the project site is well located to take advantage of the walkable neighborhood community. The project site can be easily accessed by public transportation via bus, bicycle, walking paths, and sidewalks. The proposed project is pursuing LEED for Homes Platinum Certification.

Adverse impacts from the completed project are not anticipated. The proposed project would help to provide multifamily housing in Kaua'i County. The proposed project would comply with several mitigation measures, primarily related to construction activities (e.g., hazardous materials, biological resources, and cultural resources), including noise control, utilities (water/wastewater), and traffic. Application for permits shall be required prior to the start of construction. The total project cost is estimated to be $22,000,000.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

Kaua'i County Housing Agency has determined that the project would have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Assessment on file at the Hanapēpē Public Library, 4490 Kona Road, Hanapēpē, Hawai'i 96716 and Hawaii State Library, 478 South King Street, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96813, and may be examined or copied weekdays, 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. or online at: https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/erp/Doc_Library/2022-02-08-KA-FEA-Kai-Olino-Affordable-Housing-Development.pdf  

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON FONSI and/or NOIRROF:

Any individual, group, or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the project may submit written comments to Kaua'i County Housing Agency, 4444 Rice Street, Suite 330, Līhu'e, HI 96766 or aroversi@kauai.gov. All comments received by February 24, 2022, or fifteen (15) days from the actual date of publication, will be considered by Kaua'i County Housing Agency prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Commenters should specify which part of this Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

Kaua'i County Housing Agency certifies to HUD that Adam Roversi in his/her capacity as Environmental Coordinator, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Kaua'i County Housing Agency to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and Kaua'i County Housing Agency’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the name of Kaua'i County Housing Agency; (b) Kaua'i County Housing Agency has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to HUD at U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Community Planning and Development, One Sansome Street, Suite 1200, San Francisco, CA 94104. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Adam Roversi, Environmental Coordinator

If you live in your home on Hawai‘i Island or Kaua‘i and are experiencing financial hardship you may be eligible for up to $30,000 in grant funds to pay your past due mortgage or reduce your monthly mortgage payment.

For more information to see if you may qualify and how to apply: HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FUND

To view the press release click here: $5M Fund Opens to Help Hawai‘i Island and Kaua‘i Homeowners Pay Mortgages (November 16, 2021)

Applications open May 10 for Kaua‘i’s 2021 Coronavirus Rental and Utility Assistance Program

LĪHU‘E – The County of Kaua‘i’s 2021 Coronavirus Rental and Utility Assistance Program, administered by Kaua‘i Government Employees Federal Credit Union (KGEFCU), will be accepting online applications starting 6 a.m., on May 10, at www.KauaiRentHelp.com/home.

In-person application assistance will be available at the Līhu‘e Civic Center Pi‘ikoi Building on May 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Households that have been impacted, directly or indirectly, by the COVID-19 pandemic and are past due on their rent and/or utilities are encouraged to apply for the program.

For more information click here for the full announcement: Applications open May 10 for Kaua‘i’s 2021 Coronavirus Rental and Utility Assistance Program