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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Pursuant to 24 CFR 903.17, The City and County of Honolulu, Department of Community Services (DCS), Section 8 Rental Assistance Branch, hereby provides notice that it will hold public hearings on the Public Housing Agency (PHA) 2012 – 2013 Annual Plan.

Background: The City and County of Honolulu is currently developing its 2012 – 2013 PHA Annual Plan as required by the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act (QHWRA) of 1998. The QHWRA was enacted to revitalize and improve federal public housing and tenant-based assistance programs and makes significant changes to federal and Section 8 tenant-based programs. The City and County of Honolulu 5-Year Plan approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 2009 states the City's mission, goals, and objectives for servicing the needs of low-income and very low-income families during the next five years. This 2012 – 2013 Annual Plan updates the 5-Year Plan, and details the operations and management of Section 8 tenant-based assistance programs. Through these plans, the City advises its participants, HUD and members of the public on its strategy in addressing the needs of recipients of Section 8 tenant-based assistance.

Public Review: The Draft 2012 – 2013 Annual Plan is available for public viewing at the Department of Community Services, Community Assistance Division, Section 8 Rental Assistance Branch between 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning March 1, 2012:

Community Assistance Division

51 Merchant Street, 2^nd Floor

Honolulu, Hawaii   96813

Honolulu Office

842 Merchant Street, 1^st Floor

Honolulu, Hawaii   96813

Kapolei Office

1000 Uluohia Street #118

Kapolei, Hawaii   96707

Public Hearing: Public hearings will be held at the following locations on Monday, March 19, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.:

Community Assistance Division

51 Merchant St., Conference Room

Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

All interested persons are invited to provide comments relating to the 2012 – 2013 Annual Plan, 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 PHA Plans. Person who cannot attend the hearing and prefer not to provide written comments may phone (808) 768-7080 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 City and County of Honolulu, Department of Community Services, Community Assistance Division, Attention: PHA Plan, at 51 Merchant Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. Written comments may also be faxed to (808) 768-7095. Written comments not presented at the public hearing should be received at DCS office by 4:30 p.m, Friday, March 23, 2012.

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 DCS at least ten working days prior to the public hearing in order to allow time to make arrangements. Requests can be made by writing to DCS at the address above or by call (808) 768-7080.

Samuel E. H. Moku

Director

Department of Community Services

City and County of Honolulu

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RESIDENT ADVISORY BOARD (RAB )

The City and County of Honolulu Section 8 Branch is seeking Section 8 participants who want to participate in the Public Housing Agency (PHA) Annual Plan process. The Resident Advisory Board provides the Agency with a forum for sharing information about the Agency's Annual Plan.

The role of the RAB is to make recommendations in the development of the PHA Plan. More information about the RAB can be found here.

An eligible participant of the RAB must:

Be a current Section 8 voucher holder with the City and County of Honolulu

Have good standing with the Agency

If you want to be considered to be a part of the RAB, please contact your Examiner.

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PORTABLE VOUCHER INFORMATION

Effective January 2012, the City and County of Honolulu Section 8 Branch will no longer absorb portable vouchers. Current participants in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program should check with their current PHA whether they will allow them to move or relocate to the City and County of Honolulu Section 8 program.

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SUSPENSION OF APPLICATIONS

THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU HAS SUSPENDED ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE SECTION 8 PROGRAM EFFECTIVE FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2005

Acceptance of Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher applications has been suspended and the waiting list is closed due to the reduction of federal funding and low attrition rate.

The Section 8 office will continue to process applicants already on the waiting list as vouchers become available.

A public notice will be issued when the waiting list is to be reopened.

If you would like more information about the City's Section 8 program, please call (808) 768-7096 or visit:

HUD: About the Housing Choice Voucher Program

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Classes are now being offer by the Section 8 Branch

How To Be A Good Renter - This session explains the basic tasks such as shopping for property, negotiating with the landlord, paying rent on time, notifying landlords of needed repairs, cleanliness, and respecting neighbors. For first-time renters and current participants.

Housekeeping Basics - This session provides families with helpful cleaning tips and suggestions to maintain and properly improve their decent, safe, and sanitary units.

Advantages of Participating in the Section 8 Program - This session reveals the process and point out the good points to prospective landlords, including competitive rent pricing and benefits of consistent monthly federal payments

Owner's Briefing - This session helps explain the updated mandatory legislative and regulatory provisions of the HCV Program to others among your PHA Board, staff, and community.

For information and reservations in attending these classes, please contact Shannon Gripper at 768-7398. View the Calendar of Events for the scheduled presentations.

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If you need information on financial assistance to assist you with rent and utilities, click on the link below

Federal Economic Stimulus Funds / Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program

IMPORTANT NOTE: Throughout this web site, Portable Document Format (PDF) files are used. In order to properly view the documents, it is necessary to have "Adobe Reader " installed on your computer, which is available free of charge at http://www.adobe.com.

Last Reviewed: Monday, February 13, 2012