The Kaua‘i County Housing Agency
Mission Statement: To provide greater opportunities for affordable housing and to support community development for the residents of the County of Kauaʻi.
Announcements
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
KAUAI COUNTY HOUSING AGENCY
COUNTY OF KAUAI
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Kauai County Housing Agency (KCHA), pursuant to Chapter 91-3 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, will hold a public hearing on the County’s revised Administrative Plan for the Housing Choice Voucher Program effective 7/1/2024. The public hearing will be held at the Kauai County Housing Agency on the following date, time and place.
When: Friday, May 15, 2024 at 10:00AM
Where: Pi`ikoi Building - Boards and Commission Conference Room
4444 Rice Street, Suite 300
Lihue, HI 96766
The Housing Choice Voucher Program provides financial assistance to eligible families whose annual gross income does not exceed 50 percent of Kauai’s median income guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). Through rental assistance, families are able to live in safe, decent and sanitary housing they would not otherwise be able to afford.
The revised Administrative Plan comprises required updates and program changes mandated by HUD as well as local policies that KCHA is seeking to implement. The proposed revisions include:
Adoption of additional waitlist preferences to include a preference for in-place families.
Adoption of the Final Rules for The Housing Opportunity through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) HOTMA was signed into law on July 29, 2016 and amends Sections 3, 8, and 16 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, which includes significant changes to income calculation, met family assets, and income reviews. HUD finalized HOTMA rulemaking in 2023 to put Sections 102, 103, and 104 into effect through revisions to HUD’s regulations found in 24 CFR Part 5 and 24 CFR Part 981.The Final Rules is effective January 1, 2024. Kauai County Housing Agency will meet compliance to this rule on July 1,2024, as required by HUD regulations.
Adoption of the implementation of National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE). NSPIR’s final rule established a new approach to defining and assessing housing quality to strengthen HUD’s physical condition standards and improve HUD oversight through the alignment and consolidation of the inspection regulations used to evaluate “HUD housing” as defined in 24 CFR 982.401, across multiple programs. Federal register 66 FR 66882 requires PHAs to implement the NSPIRE final rule that ensures residents of HUD housing lives in safe, habitable dwellings by October 1, 2024. NSPIRE replaces the Housing Quality Standards (HQS), as previously defined in 24 CFR 982.401, as the inspection standard for housing programs.
Adoption of Special Housing Type, Group Home, that voucher holders can utilize as an allowable housing type. (Section 15-III.A)
All interested persons are invited to attend and to state their views on the revised administrative plan either orally or in writing. Written testimonies prior to the hearing will be accepted and appreciated. The Kauai County Housing Agency will fully consider all written and oral submissions and will make a decision with respect to those comments submitted at the public hearing.
Copies of the revised Administrative Plan are available for review to any interested person at the Kauai County Housing Agency between the hours of 8:00AM and 4:00PM, Monday through Friday, except for legal holidays. Copies of the revised Administrative Plan will also be provided digitally to any interested person and are available online at this link: Revised Administrative Plan(PDF, 4MB) starting April 15, 2024 until May 15, 2024. 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. Comments or questions must be received by 4:00PM on Wednesday, May15, 2024 to be considered.
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 at all public hearings and sessions upon written request five business days prior to the meeting date by contacting Jennifer Toguchi at (808) 241-4440.
Adam P. Roversi
Housing Director
Kauai County Housing Agency
Publish Date: 4/15/2024
NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
April 12, 2024
Kauai County Housing Agency 4444 Rice Street, Suite 330
Lihue, Hawaii 96766
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by Kauai County Housing Agency.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about April 30, 2024, the County of Kauai will authorize the Kauai County Housing Agency to submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of funds for Project-Based Vouchers under Section 8(o)(13) of the Housing Act of 1937, (42 USC 1437f), as amended, to undertake a project known as Uahi Ridge Phase I located at 4534 Uahi Ridge, Lihue, Hawaii, 96766, for the purpose of funding the development of 95 residential units and one on site resident mangers unit for low-income households in Kauai County, Hawaii. The total funding for the project is estimated to be Seventy-Two Million Nine Hundred Seventy- Three Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy-Seven Dollars ($72,973,777.00) plus twenty (20) years of Seventeen (17) Project-Based Vouchers with an estimated value of Six Million Nine Hundred Forty-Two Thousand Five Hundred Thirty-Six Dollars ($6,942,536.00).
The project will serve families by providing 48 one bedroom, 23 two-bedroom and 24 three- bedroom units earning below 60% Area Median Income. Accessible units will be made available to those with mobility and sensory impairments. With seventeen units approved for project-based vouchers, the project will expand its reach to families earning less than 30% AMI. Non- Residential improvements include on-site management office, a community room, playground equipment and barbeque areas.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The Kauai County Housing Agency has determined that the project will 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 Review Record (ERR) on file at the Kauai County Housing Agency 4444 Rice Street, Suite 330, Lihue, Hawaii 96766 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M to 4 P.M or online here: Environmental Review Record for NEPA Part 58(PDF, 529KB)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Kauai County Housing Agency, 4444 Rice Street, Suite 330, Lihue, Hawaii 96766, Attention: Adam Roversi or by email at aroversi@kauai.gov. All comments received by April 29, 2024 will be considered by the Kauai County Housing Agency prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The Kauai County Housing Agency certifies to HUD that Derek S.K. Kawakami in his/her capacity as Mayor 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 Kauai County Housing Agency to use Program funds. To view the signed form here: Environmental Assessment Determination - Signed(PDF, 282KB)
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the Kauai 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 Kauai County Housing Agency;
(b) the Kauai 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 Jesse Wu at U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Public Housing, 1003 Bishop Street, Suite 2100, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96816 or by email at Jesse.Wu@hud.gov . Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Derek S.K Kawakami, Mayor County of Kauai
NEWS RELEASE
Housing Agency announces Free Fair Housing Training for National Fair Housing Month in April
LĪHU‘E - As part of National Fair Housing Month in April the Kauai County Housing Agency, along with 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 on the following dates:
APRIL 4, 2024 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Fair Housing 101
APRIL 11, 2024 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Fair Housing Post-Disaster
APRIL 18, 2024 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Domestic Violence and VAWA
APRIL 25, 2024 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Case Studies & Ask The Experts
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) theme for 2024’s Fair Housing Month is “Fair Housing: The Act in Action”. Experts from HUD, the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission (HCRC) and Legal Aid Society of Hawaii will present and answer questions regarding various topics during the weekly sessions.
If you are interested in attending, please register here.
For important information and material regarding Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, please visit the U.S. Department of HUD's webpage.
If you have any questions, please email iakanoho@kauai.gov.
If you need an ASL Interpreter, materials in an alternate format, or other auxiliary aid support, or an interpreter for a language other than English, please contact Anna Kanoho at 241-4444 or iakanoho@kauai.gov as soon as possible.
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KAUAʻI COUNTY HOUSING AGENCY
LEGAL PUBLIC NOTICE
DRAFT ANNUAL ACTION PLAN 2024
To all interested Agencies, Groups and Persons:
Notice is hereby given that the Kauaʻi County Housing Agency (KCHA) will hold a video teleconference and in-person hearing on the Consolidated Plan (CP) 2020-2025, fifth program year, draft Annual Action Plan (AAP) 2024 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) Program. Pursuant to 24 CFR 91.105, the public hearing is to provide information on the anticipated grant funds and afford citizens the opportunity to provide written or oral comments on the draft AAP 2024 and proposed projects. The hearing will be held on:
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - 9:00 am (In-person)
Moʻikeha Building – Moʻikeha Conference Room 2
4444 Rice Street, Līhu‘e, HI 96766
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 – 2:00 pm (Video Teleconference)
Registration and connectivity: anyone interested in attending the Microsoft Teams video teleconference, please be directed to KCHA’s Announcement page on the County of Kauaʻi website at https://www.kauai.gov/Government/Departments-Agencies/Housing-Agency to access the Video Teleconference link, Meeting ID and Passcode. You may also access the Video Teleconference via the following link https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_Y2UwNTZkODctZDQzNy00YzU3LTliNDktYjMzNzE4NDRkMWQ2%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2282057022-1cb1-40a6-ada9-2fd512d13e37%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22db619324-cfa1-44a3-a7c8-af2f554535b6%22%7dusing the following Meeting ID and Passcode-Meeting ID: 234 329 882 804 Passcode: kDSgfL
PROPOSED CDBG PROJECTS:
PUBLIC SERVICES
a. Keala Transportation: Providing Access to Keala Foundation Programs for Youth $ 107,918.00
(Keala Foundation)
Purchase two 15-passenger vehicles to facilitate youth participation in drug prevention and intervention programs
supporting mental and physical health and offer reliable transportation for low-to-moderate-income families.
PUBLIC FACILITIES
c. Mitigation of Service Interruption $350,337.00
(YWCA Kauaʻi)
Purchase and install a photovoltaic system and battery backup to enhance resilience and ensure uninterrupted crisis and support services for victims of domestic violence.
d. 2024 Hale Hoʻomalu Family Center Critical Improvements Project $339,942.00
(CFS Real Property, Inc.)
Make improvements to the family center to facilitate a more secure and safe environment for low- to moderate-income individuals and families.
ADMINISTRATION
f. Administration $143,891.00
(Kauaʻi County Housing Agency)
General program administration, project implementation, compliance monitoring, evaluation, record-keeping and reporting.
TOTAL ANTICIPATED CDBG FUNDING $942,088.00
KCHA anticipates receiving $719,457.00 in grant funds from HUD for PY 2024 CDBG annual allocation. Additionally, KCHA has made available $222,631.00 in CDBG revolving loan funds. 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 Kauaʻi may exercise the option to incur pre-award costs for projects in its PY 2024 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 2024 CDBG funding from HUD.
To ensure the performance of the County of Kauaʻi’s CDBG Program in meeting CDBG timeliness regulations at 24 CFR 570.902, should any of the projects listed above not proceed as represented in the CDBG applications or should any CDBG 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. The following alternate projects may be funded so long as the project is ready to proceed and will comply with CDBG regulatory requirements:
a. CCH Kauaʻi Support Service – Vehicle (alternate) $ 76,045.00
(Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi – Kauaʻi Community Office)
Purchase a vehicle and cover maintenance costs to transport vulnerable population clients needing access to appointments and services.
b. WIN – Lima Ola Photovoltaic Project (alternate) $512,000.00
(Women in Need)
Purchase and install a photovoltaic system to reduce tenant electricity costs at the new supportive housing project for houseless families.
The purpose of the 5-Year CP and AAP 2024 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.
The draft AAP 2024 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 or via U.S. mail to: Kauaʻi County Housing Agency, 4444 Rice Street, Suite 330, Līhu‘e, Hawai‘i 96766. The 30-day comment period will commence on February 28, 2024. All comments received by March 29, 2024, will be considered in preparing the final AAP 2024.
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.
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By order of the Mayor
County of Kaua‘i
Derek S.K. Kawakami
Mayor
Publish Date: February 27, 2024
PUBLIC NOTICE
Comments for proposed affordable housing development in Puhi now accepted until February 21, 2024
LĪHU‘E – The County of Kaua‘i Housing Agency will continue to receive comments on the draft Environmental Assessment for the proposed Kahua Ho’oulu Affordable Housing
Development Project located in Puhi. Comments will now be accepted until Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
This proposed housing development would include up to 60 multi-family affordable units as well as include a planned education center on County-owned land in Puhi. The proposed project seeks to accommodate a blend of affordable incomes.
The draft Environmental Assessment may be viewed here: Draft Environmental Assessment Kahua Ho'oulu Affordable Housing Development(PDF, 47MB)
All persons who wish to comment on the draft Environmental Assessment may submit written comments to Kaua‘i County Housing Agency, 4444 Rice Street, Suite 330, Līhu‘e, Hawai‘i 96766, Attn: Koa Duncan or via email at rduncan@kauai.gov. All comments received by February 21, 2024, will be considered.
The Housing Policy for the County of Kaua'i
The purpose of Ordinance No. 860 is to establish by law a housing policy in furtherance of the goals and objectives identified for the Kauaʻi County Housing Agency in Section 2-1.16 of the Kauaʻi County Code 1987. Ordinance No. 860 includes workforce housing requirements for residential and resort developments, and codifies procedures used to administer housing development programs. The Ordinance is effective June 10, 2008 as Ordinance No. 860(PDF, 165KB) .
Administrative Rules(PDF, 999KB) know as "The Administration of Chapter 7A, Kaua'i County Code, Pertaining to the Housing Policy for the County of Kaua'i" was adopted on July 21, 2015 for the purpose of implementing the goals and objectives of Chapter 7A, Kaua'i County Code 1987. Ordinance NO. 1081, Bill NO. 2774, Draft 5 Amending Ch. 7A COK Code 1987 Housing Policy Signed by Mayor Octoer 29, 2020(PDF, 7MB) .
2024 Income, Rental and For Sale Limits
Pursuant to Ordinance No. 860, US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides the County with the Kaua'i median household income amount each year. In addition, HUD provides income limits, by household size, for extremely low income households that earn thirty percent (30%) of the median household income, very low income households that earn fifty percent (50%) of the median household income, households that earn sixty percent (60%) of the median household income, and low income households that earn eighty percent (80%) of the median household income. The Housing Agency provides Workforce Housing and Gap Group income limits utilizing the Kaua'i median household income and HUD's methodology.
2024 Kauai County Income Limits(PDF, 18KB)
2024 Rental Limits by Family Size(PDF, 32KB)
2024 Rental Limits by Bedroom Count(PDF, 22KB)
2024 Sale Limits by Family Size(PDF, 164KB)
2024 Sale Limits by Bedroom Count(PDF, 126KB)
2024 Sale Limits by Income-Bedroom Size(PDF, 143KB)