City and notable nonprofit organizations partner to acquire much needed facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic
News Release from City and County of Honolulu, Dec 14, 2021
HONOLULU – Today, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Community Services announced the completion of two acquisition projects, with a third soon to follow using the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV) funds for the purchases.
These facilities include what will become a 12-bed stabilization facility for persons experiencing homelessness run by The Institute for Human Services (IHS), a small apartment complex for low to moderate income renters being managed by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement for renters 51% of whom earn 80% AMI and below, and a group home for victims of domestic violence and their keiki operated by the Domestic Violence Action Center (DVAC).
Throughout 2020, HUD generously provided the City and County of Honolulu more than $14.4 million of CDBG-CV funds to be used to prepare, prevent, respond to, or mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.
The first round of CDBG-CV funds of $4,872,982 were awarded in May 2020 respectively to Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center for vehicles to support their healthcare and homelessness outreach efforts, Project Vision for island-wide testing and vaccination, primarily for persons experiencing homelessness, Hawaii HomeOwnership Center/Legal Aid Society of Hawaii for eviction prevention and housing retention, Hawaii Pacific Health Institute for food distribution to eligible seniors, and Team WorkHawaii for outreach and housing connectivity to persons experiencing homelessness. All of the round one projects are underway and working towards completion.
The second and third allocations of CDBG-CV funds of roughly $9,534,509 were solicited in late summer 2021 for acquisition of facilities that increase non-congregate dwelling spaces within our communities to address the impacts caused by COVID-19. Five proposals were received and deemed eligible for a possible full or partial award and were granted preliminary approval to proceed through due diligence. Two of the five fell out during the due diligence process.
The total outlay of CDBG-CV funds for the three completed acquisitions is $7,186,395. The residual funds of $2,348,114 are being reviewed for possible programing into other eligible proposed projects per the City’s Consolidated Plan with HUD or will be solicited at a later date.
“We are grateful to Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation for making these CARES Act funds available to our communities,” said Director Anton Krucky, Department of Community Services. “These projects are great examples of the City working closely with its partner nonprofits and with HUD to provide extraordinary services in a time of great need.”
“We appreciate the City’s confidence placed in IHS to continue adding to the existing spectrum of homeless solutions,” said IHS Executive Director Connie Mitchell. “Our new Homeless Triage and Transfer Center will stabilize houseless people with needed medical and behavioral treatment, hygiene and nourishment before moving forward. We’re excited about opportunities to collaborate with HPD, provider partners and concerned citizens to deliver whole solutions that make a long term difference for people without homes.”
“The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is excited to expand our commitment to helping local families find a safe, reliable place to call home,” said Kuhio Lewis, CNHA CEO. “Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders make up a significant percentage of O’ahu’s homeless population. In Wahiawa, many cite ‘inability to pay rent’ as the primary reason why. Hale Manako will provide affordability, convenience, and job opportunities to those who need it most.”
(CLUE: This building was affordable in the private sector, therefore there is no net gain in affordable units: 103-105 Mango St Wahiawa)
“We greatly appreciate the support and guidance we’ve received from HUD Honolulu CPD Director Mark Chandler and his team in navigating the CARES Act,” continued Krucky. “Without their help, these acquisitions would not have been possible.”
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ABOUT DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES
The Department of Community Services (DCS) is an agency of the City and County of Honolulu focused on creating opportunities to improve the quality of life for the people of O‘ahu. DCS oversees the City’s work in key areas such as housing, homeless services, community development, aging & disability resources, grants, housing & rental assistance, workforce training, and youth services. Website: http://www.honolulu.gov/dcs
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT CARES ACT FUNDS
Congress provided $5 billion in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for the CDBG program to states, metropolitan cities, urban counties, and insular areas to prevent, prepare for, and respond to Coronavirus (CDBG-CV).
At least 70 percent of every grant must be expended for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income persons by providing housing, a permanent job, a public service, or access to new or significantly improved infrastructure. The remaining 30 percent may be used to eliminate slum or blighted conditions, or to address an urgent need for which the grantee certifies it has no other funding.
Activities must benefit residents within the jurisdiction of the grantee or as permitted by the CARES Act.
Through the three allocations of CDBG-CV funds distributed by HUD, the City and County of Honolulu received $14.4 million.
June 30, 2021: Legal Notice for CBDGs