The County of Hawai‘i through the Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) is calling for proposals from qualified public agencies, non-profit organizations and for-profit entities to apply for a share of up to $10.5 million in Homelessness and Housing Fund grants.
The funding is designated for projects aimed at providing services, operations, and programs that address homelessness and housing challenges on Hawai‘i Island. The County funding strives to complement existing Federal and State funding resources.
“We strongly encourage all eligible organizations around Hawaiʻi Island to explore how this funding can support their initiatives that are crucial in safeguarding and uplifting our community’s most vulnerable members,” stated Housing Administrator Susan Kunz. “By working together, we can continue to make significant strides to reduce homelessness.”
The Homelessness and Housing Fund is guided by the principle that homelessness should be rare, brief, and non-recurring. To realize this goal, the fund’s management utilizes key performance metrics inspired by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s System Performance Measurements. These crucial "Metrics that Matter" include:
- Measure 1: Reduce the Number of Persons Experiencing Homelessness
- Measure 2: Reduce the Length of Time Persons Experience Homelessness
- Measure 3: Reduce Recidivism
The Request for Proposals (RFP) and related documentation can be accessed on the OHCD website at https://www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov/grants-funding/homelessness-and-housing-fund.
Proposals must be submitted electronically using the Neighborly Application Portalby Monday, September 16, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. HST. Please note that incomplete applications will be disqualified.
To assist prospective applicants, OHCD will host two virtual information sessions: one at 10:00 a.m. HST on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, and a second at 1:00 p.m. HST on Monday, August 26, 2024. The same information will be shared at both scheduled meetings.
The Homelessness and Housing Fund was established in 2022 through Ordinance 22-26, which allocates for five years 75% of Residential Tier Two property tax revenues annually to address homelessness and housing in Hawai’i County. The fund is set to expire in 2027.
To date, over $17 million in grants have been awarded through the first two rounds, benefiting 15 non-profit providers and supporting 37 projects. These initiatives range from permanent supportive housing to substance abuse and mental health treatment as well as vital services like street medicine and case management to help connect unsheltered residents with stable housing.
For more details about the HHF Program or to join our mailing list for future updates, please contact us at ohcdengagement@hawaiicounty.gov.
The County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing and Community Development is responsible for the planning, administration, and operation of all County of Hawai’i housing programs. Our Mission is to provide for the development of viable communities through decent housing, suitable living environments and expanded economic opportunities.
More information on the Office of Housing and Community Development and its programs can be found online at www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov. To receive news alerts and OHCD’s quarterly newsletter, click here. You can also connect with OHCD on Facebook and Instagram.
