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ROLES AND DUTIES

The OHCD is an agency of the Office of Management and is under the direct supervision of the Mayor. The OHCD is responsible for the planning, administration, and operation of all of the County’s housing programs. These include Section 8 rental assistance for qualified families; planning, administration and monitoring of the assigned federal grants and other programs; managing assigned leases and other lands. During emergencies, the department conducts damage assessments for commercial properties and implements the County’s part of the housing element of the County’s Disaster Response Plan.

There are four OHCD divisions: Administration Division, Development Division, Community Development Division, and Existing Housing Division.

The Administration Division provides support services to the other divisions.

The Community Development Division is responsible for federal grants, which primarily benefit low- and moderate-income persons.

The Existing Housing Division is responsible for the management of the County's rental housing programs and projects.

MAJOR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Our goal is to provide for the development of viable communities in Hawai'i County by providing decent housing, suitable living environments and the expansion of economic opportunities.

HIGHLIGHTS

Administration Division:

Upgraded optical imaging system.

Increased office and storage space.

Converted custom operating software for Section 8 program.

Upgraded custom staff time and cost allocation software.

Completed workstation software and hardware upgrades.

Development Division:

Provided technical assistance to develop mutual self-help projects of single-family

homes in O’uli, South Kohala and Hawi, North Kohala;

Provided technical assistance the acquisition and development of the Hualalai Elderly Housing project in Kailua-Kona;

Provided technical assistance for non-profit Big Island Housing Foundation.

Community Development Division:

Community Development Block Grant Program:

Rehabilitated 14 homes utilizing the Residential Emergency Repair Program (RERP);

Constructed a ballfield in Nanawale, Puna;

Purchased two vans for the Care-a-Van Program;

Solicited project proposals for the 2001 CDBG program funds;

Aired Fair Housing commercial on cable television;

Provided Fair Housing and Landlord/Tenant Training to police, sheriff, and Circuit and District Court personnel.

Emergency Shelter Grants Program:

Provided funds to operate the Kawaihae Shelter in S. Kohala and Hale Ohana Spouse Abuse Shelter in Hilo.

HOME Investment Partnership Program:

Provided rental assistance to 79 low-income families island-wide;

Rehabilitated one low-income homeowner’s home;

Constructed eight HOME units at the O’uli Self Help Housing Project in

Kohala;

Solicited project proposals for the 2001 HOME program funds.

Housing Preservation Grant:

Completed the rehabilitation of 8 very low-income homeowners’ residences and applied for the 2001 HPG program funds.

Economic Development Initiative Special Project Grant:

Completed the Puna Emergency Access Road, Phase II.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program:

Implemented the new WIA program;

Contracted with the State of Hawai'i Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Workforce Development Division (WDD), to provide services to 685 adults, 18 and older;

Contracted WDD to provide assistance to 676 dislocated workers who had recently been laid off due to shutdown of business;

Contracted with Salvation Army for 151 In-School youth, and Simple Office Solutions for 61 Out-of-School youth, as well as 215 youth during summer. Eligible youths are between 14-21, and are disadvantaged with at least one of the WIA program barriers.

Existing Housing Division:

Achieved 100% lease-up of 200 welfare-to-work vouchers;

Processed approximately 790 families from our waiting list of applications for the rental assistance program;

Applied for and received a grant for 102 more vouchers;

Continued quarterly newsletter to landlords covering topics such as rule changes, document changes, utility allowance changes and contract provisions;

Met with community groups and landlords to promote and explain the Section 8 program.

Community Development Division:

Community Development Block Grant Program:

Remove architectural barriers at the Onekahakaha Beach Park;

Continue to implement the Residential Emergency Repair Program (RERP);

Construct the East Hawai’i Police Detention Facility in S. Hilo;

Renovate the O’okala Gym Annex in Hamakua;

Restore the interior of Hilo Armory in S. Hilo;

Purchase Wildland Fire Truck for Kea’au;

Purchase Wildland Fire Truck for Honoka’a;

Removal of Architectural Barriers at

Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in S. Hilo

Shipman Park in Puna

Waimea Park in S. Kohala

Honoka’a Park in Hamakua

Pahoa Park in Puna

Greenwell Park in S. Kona

Wai’akeawaena Playground in S. Hilo

Pahala Community Center in Ka’u

Konawaena Pool in S. Kona

Former Waimea Courthouse in S. Kohala

Waikoloa Park (Ho’oko) in S. Kohala

Spencer Beach Park in S. Kohala

Kahalu’u Beach Park in N. Kona

Ho’okena Beach Park in S. Kona

HOME Investment Partnership Program:

Construct the Hawi Self Help Housing Project in N. Kohala;

Provide rental assistance to low income families island-wide;

Conduct a feasibility study for the Hamakua Assisted Living Facility;

Rehabilitate the Hale Ulu Hoi III rental housing in S. Hilo;

Construct the Hualalai Elderly Housing Project, Phase II in N. Kona; and

Construct the Kea’au Elderly Housing Project.

Housing Preservation Grant:

Continue to provide funds to the Hawai'i County Economic Opportunity Council to administer the rehabilitation loan program for the County of Hawai'i.

Continue to administer and provide funds to implement the adult, dislocated worker and youth initiatives.

Continue to provide staff services to the Workforce Investment Board and Youth Council.

Administers the OHCD's PC-LAN;

Coordinate office space needs of the OHCD.

Apply for the Community Development Block Grant Program and solicit project proposals;

Apply for the HOME Investment Partnership Program and solicit project proposals;

Apply for the Housing Preservation Grant Programs;

Continue the Fair Housing public awareness campaign.

Hawai'i County Workforce Investment Board

The Hawaii County Workforce Investment Board is made up of 33 members, with the majority of its members from the private sector. Its chair is Dr. Alan Garson, and Vice-Chair is John McNeil. There is also a Youth Council, comprised of private individuals, non-profit and governmental agency representatives with extensive knowledge of youth services. Irene Nagao is Chair, and the Vice-Chair is Glen Shigehara.

Hawai'i County Housing Agency

The Hawai’i County Housing Agency consists of the nine members of the County Council. It is chaired by Gary Safarik and the Vice-Chair is Nancy Pisicchio. It is responsible for establishing the affordable housing policy for the County.

BUDGET

The Office of Housing and Community Development's annual operating budget for FY 2000 was $2,459,941.

Existing Housing Division:

Annual Appropriation Units

HUD Section 8 Certificates and Vouchers $5,639,649 1,448

Kulaimano Elderly Housing Project - Management $ 230,500 50

O’uli Ekahi Rental Housing Project – Management $ 225,810 33

HOME Tenant Based Rental Assistance $ 750,000 100

TOTAL $7,845,959 1,631

Community Development Division:

New Grants Approved and Received: Amount

2000 Community Development Block Grant $2,204,000

2000 HOME Investment Partnership Program $ 963,000

2000 Housing Preservation Grant $ 40,000

2000 Workforce Investment Act $4,549,951

TOTAL $7,756,951

This page was modified on May 14, 2002
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