NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Pursuant to 24 CFR Part 903.17, and 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 to consider proposed adoption and adoption to:
1) Chapter 18, “Emergency Housing Vouchers”, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan; and
2) New Chapter 17-2040, “Emergency Housing Voucher Program Rules”, Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR)
Background:
1) 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.
2) HPHA is amending Chapter 18, entitled “Emergency Housing Vouchers”, of its Section – Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan, to establish additional policies:
a) Requiring participants to report changes in income in writing,
b) Addressing families that breakup to clarify who would retain assistance,
c) Deleting the expired waiver for dwelling unit inspection extensions,
d) Clarifying that participants are not responsible for HPH Housing Assistance Payments to the landlord,
e) Clarifying that landlords or owners cannot change any payments in addition to the rent to landlords or owners,
f) Adding that the HPHA may pay for rental application fees to the landlord or owner and that the HPHA shall not charge application fees,
g) Adding request procedures and clarification that the HPHA may pay holding fees, and
h) Requiring special inspection requests to be in writing.
Public Review: The proposed changes to Chapter 18, Section 8 – Housing Choice Voucher Program and proposed new 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
The complete rules are available on the HPHA website at Hyperlink:
http://www.hpha.hawaii.gov/referenceinformation/
Public hearing will be held on
Monday, April 18, 2022, at 5:30 p.m.
Public Hearings: The public may participate in the Public Hearing 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.
All interested persons are invited to provide comments relating to the proposed Section 8 Administrative Plan.
Oral comments should be presented during the public hearing. All oral and written testimony presented at the public hearing will be considered in preparing amendments to Chapter 18 or the Section 8 – Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan, and proposed new Chapter 17-2040, HAR. Persons who cannot attend the hearing and prefer not to provide written comments may phone (808) 721-3512 and leave their comments as a voicemail message.
Written comments may be presented mailed to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Attention: Section 8 Admin Plan, at 1002 North School Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817, or presented to the presiding officer at the public hearing. 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 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 18, 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 two 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 email or standard address above or by calling (808) 832-4693.
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/TGI1362785 3/2/22)
