$11.5 MILLION IN FEDERAL GRANTS

AVAILABLE TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

Mayor Mufi Hannemann today announced that the City and County of Honolulu is accepting applications from organizations and nonprofit agencies for $8 million in Community Development Block Grants and $3.5 million in HOME Investment Partnership funds.  Both programs are funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Community Development Block Grants are available for projects that principally benefit low- and moderate-income persons.  Past recipients of CDBG funds have included Easter Seals, Goodwill Industries, Catholic Charities, Helping Hands Hawaii, Hina Mauka Alcoholic Rehabilitation Services of Hawaii, Institute for Human Services, Lanakila Rehabilitation Center, Mutual Housing Association of Hawaii, Pacific Gateway Center, Parents and Children Together (PACT), Volunteer Legal Services of Hawaii, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, and the YMCA.

HOME money, meanwhile, is available to community housing development organizations and other qualified private nonprofit organizations to develop and support affordable rental housing and homeownership affordability.  Community housing development organizations seeking to develop multifamily rental housing are given top priority.  Recipients have included Saint Francis Healthcare Systems, Hawaii Housing Development Corporation, Housing Solutions, and Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann said, “I am pleased that the City once again is able to offer financial support to organizations that support those most in need in our community.  Moreover, the CDBG/HOME program is a prime example of an effective partnership.  Using federal dollars, two City agencies, the departments of Community Services and Budget and Fiscal Services, are able to help private organizations do great things for Honolulu’s residents.”

The request for proposals is available at the Division of Purchasing, Department of Budget and Fiscal Services, Honolulu Hale, 530 South King Street, Room 115, or online at www.honolulu.gov/pur.

The City will hold an informational and orientation meeting for prospective applicants on Friday, July 18, at 9:30 a.m., at Mission Memorial Auditorium, on the Fasi Civic Center grounds.  City officials will describe the CDBG and HOME programs.

Consultations will be offered immediately following the meeting, to give interested parties the opportunity to submit statements and supporting testimony on the community development and housing needs to be considered in the development of the City’s Action Plan that is required to be submitted to HUD.

            The deadline for applications for both grant programs is 4:00 p.m., August 29, 2008.

            The City’s online e-mail notification system implemented last year will continue to allow applicants for federal grants, available through the City’s CDBG and HOME programs, to receive e-mail notification of funding opportunities whenever they become available.  Applicants may register at: http://www.honolulu.gov/budget/cdbg.htm

BFS Director Mary Patricia Waterhouse and DCS Director Debbie Kim Morikawa both urged organizations to apply.

Contact:

Bill Brennan, 527-6928