NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Pursuant to Sections 91-2 and 92-41, Hawaii revised Statutes, the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA), Department of Human Services, hereby provides notice that it will hold public hearings on the proposed changes and adoption to:
1) Chapter 17-2000, “Rules of Practice and Procedure”, Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR); and
2) Chapter 17-2040, “Emergency Housing Voucher Program Rules”, HAR.
Background:
1) When last updated in 2005, the agency was still part of the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii. Since that time, the HPHA was established, requiring necessary updates to be made to Chapter 17-2000 for clarity and consistency of the agency’s operations. The proposed amendments to Chapter 17-2000, HAR, are as follows:
a. Changing the agency name from the Housing and Community Development Corporation to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority;
b. Replacing references to Chapter 201G, HRS, with Chapter 356D, HRS;
c. Amending the definitions in section 17-2000-2 to Add “Authority” Section 17-2000-3 [Business hours and location]: Changing the address of the authority;
d. Section 17-2000-6 [Agenda]: Amending to add inclusions for agenda language;
e. Section 17-2000-9 [Quorum and number of votes necessary for action]: Amending the number of directors necessary for quorum and the number of affirmative votes necessary to determine any action to six;
f. Section 17-2000-10 [Submittal and filing of documents]: Adding drawing and spreadsheets to the list of documents that may be larger than
8-1/2″ x 11″;
g. Section 17-2000-13 [Retention of documents]: Clarifying that documents shall be retained for the period of time provided by law;
h. Section 17-2000-17 [Inclusion on Agenda]: Amending the process for those who request to be notified of upcoming board meetings, to allow for email notifications;
i. Section 17-2000-22 [Appearances before the board]: Amending to allow appearances before the board by video conference; and
j. Section 17-2000-48 [Burden of proof; evidence]: Clarifying that the degree of proof shall be preponderance of the evidence.
2) The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program is a new program created by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021. The proposed adoption of Chapter 17-2040 will include rules to establish the HPHA’s EHV program. These EHVs are to assist individuals and families who are:
a. Experiencing homelessness;
b. At risk of homelessness;
c. Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking; or
d. Recently homeless and for whom providing rental assistance will prevent the family’s homelessness or having high risk of housing instability.
Public Review: The proposed changes to Chapter 17-2000, HAR, and proposed adoption of Chapter 17-2040, HAR, are available for public viewing at the HPHA and site management offices at the following locations between 7:45a.m. to 4:30p.m.
HPHA’s Administrative and Section 8 Offices, 1002 N. School Street, Honolulu
Oahu: Puuwai Momi Office, 99-132 Kohomua Street, Aiea
Oahu: Kalihi Valley Homes Office, 2250 Kalena Drive, Honolulu
Oahu: Mayor Wright Homes Office, 521 N. Kukui Street, Honolulu
Oahu: Kalakaua Homes Office, 1545 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu
Oahu: Kalanihuia Office, 1220 Aala St., Honolulu
Oahu: Hale Poai Office, 1001 N. School Street, Honolulu
Oahu: Waimaha Sunflower Office: 85-186 McArthur Street, Waianae
Oahu: Koolau Village Office: 45-1027 Kamau Place, Kaneohe
Oahu: Kauhale Nani Office: 310 North Cane St., Wahiawa
Oahu: Palolo Valley Homes Office: 2107 Ahe Street, Honolulu
Oahu: Kuhio Homes Office: 1475 Linapuni Street, Honolulu
Hawaii: Lanakila Homes Office, 600 Wailoa Street, Hilo
Hawaii: Ka Hale Kahaluu Office, 78-6725 Makolea Street, Kailua-Kona
Hawaii: Noelani II Office, 65-1191 Opelo Road, Kamuela
Kauai: Kapaa Office, 4726 Malu Road, Kapaa
Maui: Kahekili Terrace, 2015 Holowai Place, Wailuku
Molokai: Kahale Mua, Maunaloa, Molokai
It is also available on the HPHA website at HYPERLINK:
http://www.hpha.hawaii.gov/referenceinformation/admin_rule.htm
Public Hearings: The public may participate in the Public Hearings electronically as it happens via Zoom app at the following link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8919633178?pwd=MEZFSklqYXBpOUtWTmF5L3c5SWszZz09
When prompted, enter the Meeting ID: 891 963 3178 and the Password: 9dn9C3.
Alternatively, the public may also participate via telephone by calling 1-253-215-8782. When prompted, callers should enter the Meeting ID: 891 963 3178 and the Password: 446191. We request that meeting participants change the display on their device to show their first and last name.
The public hearings will be held on
Monday, November 22, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
All interested persons are invited to provide comments relating to the proposed amendments to 17-2000, HAR, or proposed adoption of Chapter 17-2040, HAR, either orally or in writing.
Oral comments should be presented at the public hearing. All oral and written testimony presented at the public hearing will be considered in preparing the amendments to Chapter 17-2000, as well as the proposed adoption of Chapter 17-2040, HAR. Testimony on changes to Chapter 17-2000 will be accepted first. When testimony on proposed changes to Rent Supplement Program is completed, HPHA will accept testimony on the proposed adoption of Chapter 17-2040. Persons who cannot attend the hearing and prefer not to provide written comments may phone (808) 436-7183 and leave their comments as a voicemail message.
Written comments may be presented to the presiding officer at the public hearing, or mailed to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Attention: HAR Comments, at 1002 North School Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817. Written comments may also be faxed to (808) 832-4679, or sent by electronic mail to hpha@hawaii.gov. Written comments not presented at the public hearing should be received at HPHA office in Honolulu by 4:30 p.m. Monday, November 22, 2021.
Any person requiring assistance to participate, such as large print, taped materials, interpreters for sign language or limited English proficiency, etc., should make a request to HPHA at least ten working days prior to the public hearings in order to allow time to make arrangements. Requests can be made by writing to HPHA at the address above or by calling (808) 832-4692.
Hakim Ouansafi
Executive Director
Hawaii Public Housing Authority
Department of Human Services
HPHA does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, familial status, ancestry/national origin, age, marital status, HIV infection or sexual orientation and gender identity.
(SA/HTH/WHT/TGI1347079 10/22/21)
