The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is authorized under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Public Law 93-383. The goal of the CDBG program is to encourage the development of viable communities by providing decent housing, suitable living environments, and expanding economic opportunities for persons of low- and moderate-income. 

CDBG funds are allocated on a formula basis granted to the County of Hawaiʻi annually to assist in addressing high priority housing and community development needs identified in its 5-year Consolidated Plan primarily benefiting low- and moderate-income persons. The formula as established by HUD takes into account the County’s population, poverty rate, the extent of overcrowded housing, and age of housing.

Each funded project must meet one of the National objectives:

• Principally benefit low- and moderate-income (LMI) persons defined as having an income equal to or less than the Section 8 low-income limit established by HUD. 70% of CDBG funds expended must meet the LMI national objective.
• Aid in the prevention or elimination of Slums or Blight
• Meet a need of “Particular Urgency” referred to as Urgent Need

2025 CDBG Application Process

The County is seeking CDBG project proposals from eligible applicants to include in its 2025 Annual Action Plan to HUD.

2025 CDBG Project Proposals

• The County anticipates receiving an allocation of $2,600,000.00 in CDBG funds in PY2025.

• CDBG funds will be awarded based on a Request for Proposal (RFP) process which goes through a meticulous selection process to award the highest rated projects based on a weighted point system. The specific Project Evaluation and Rating System is incorporated in the CDBG Proposal Guide.

• Project proposals will only be accepted electronically through the Neighborly online application platform starting September 1, 2024 and will be due at 4:30 pm HST on November 15, 2024.

• Access the application here: https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/hawaiicountyhi/participant

• Tentative 2025 Consolidated/Action Plan Schedule

• 2025 CDBG Proposal Guide - For assistance with the CDBG eligibility requirements and application process

• 2025 Informational Packet - Details on the HUD Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan process and various HUD programs administered by the County of Hawaiʻi.

2025 Public Hearings

As required by federal regulations, the County, in conjunction with the State of Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC), held public hearings on August 22, 2024 and August 29, 2024.

• The purpose of these public hearings was to hear the views and comments from citizens on the housing and community development needs and the past performance of the CDBG program.

          2025 Public Notice #1

2024 Annual Action Plan

The 2024 Action Plan summarizes the OHCD's planned actions and activities to address the priority housing and community development needs and goals identified in the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan.

FINAL 2024 Action Plan

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Eligibility

Eligible Applicants:

• Non-profit Agencies
• Government Agencies
• Community Based Development Organizations (CBDO). Eligibility can be found in Title 24 CFR 570.204.

Eligible Activities

This is not intended to be an inclusive list. Refer to the Federal Register Appendix C, 24 CFR 570.200 to 570.205 for guidance on eligible activities.

Ineligible Activities

This is not intended to be an inclusive list. Refer to the Federal Register Subpart C, 24 CFR 570.207 for guidance in determining eligibility of a project.

Compliance with Applicable State and Federal Regulations

Recipients and sub-recipients selected to receive CDBG funds for eligible projects will be required, if applicable, to certify, provide documentation and assure that it will comply with the following regulations, policies, guidelines, and requirements with respect to the acceptance and use of federal funds.

• Applicable Regulations, Policies, Guidelines, and Requirements for the CDBG Program

Resources

2020-2024 Consolidated Plan (Amended)

The County’s Consolidated Plan (Con Plan) is a five-year strategic plan that addresses the County’s housing and community development needs and Federal funding priorities. The Con Plan ensures that jurisdictions receiving federal assistance adequately utilizes and develops a plan for it housing and community development related needs of very low-, low-, and moderate-income families in a way that improves the availability and affordability of decent, safe and sanitary housing in a suitable living environment as well as expands economic opportunities.

In addition to serving as a strategic plan for the County’s priorities and objectives for its HUD programs, the Con Plan is also used as a decision-making tool for the County and to measure the County’s annual accomplishments of its Con Plan’s objectives by HUD. As such, projects seeking CDBG funding must be consistent with the Con Plan and address a priority housing or community development need as well as fulfill a housing or community development goal as outlined in the Con Plan.

The Con Plan was drafted with extensive community input through public hearings and consultation with the Hawaiʻi County Housing Agency, community organizations and government agencies, and by public survey and studies.

2023 Annual Action Plan

2022 Annual Action Plan

The County is required to submit an Annual Action Plan (AAP) for HUD’s approval that serves as the County’s annual planning document. The AAP addresses the specific activities/projects the County will undertake during the program year to meet the Con Plan objectives with the anticipated annual CDBG fund allocation.

The activities/projects that the County proposes to finance in the AAP are selected in accordance with the County’s Project Evaluation and Rating System. This process involves the rating and ranking of each activity/project by an evaluation committee coordinated by the Office of Housing and Community Development. The evaluation committee submits its recommendation to the Mayor for approval and upon its approval, the AAP is drafted and made available for public comment. A Resolution to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with HUD, along with the AAP with the approved activities/projects, is presented to the Hawaiʻi County Council for adoption. Upon adoption by the Council, the AAP is submitted to HUD for approval by the May 15th deadline.

2019 Hawaiʻi Housing Planning Study

The Hawaiʻi Housing Planning Study report is to provide housing planners with data on the housing situation in Hawaiʻi to support planning activities. Research was conducted from January through August 2019 and includes housing demand, housing supply, housing prices, affordable housing and needed housing units.

An updated 2024 Housing Planning Study is currently being drafted.

Handbook for CDBG Subrecipients on Administrative Systems

This guide was intended to help the Subrecipient understand the basic administrative requirements of the CDBG program, improve the management of program activities through strong business practices, enhance program performance by tracking, reporting and evaluating program activities and outcomes, and ensure accountability and ensure clean audits by documenting compliance with CDBG regulations.

Citizen Participation Plan

The Citizen Participation Plan sets forth the County's policies and procedures for citizen participation. It encourages citizens to participate in and comment on the development of the consolidated plan, any substantial amendments, and the performance reports.

Code of Federal Regulations and Other Program Requirements

• Eligible & Ineligible Activities – 24 CFR 570.200-205, Subpart C
• Grant Administration – 24 CFR 270.500-513, Subpart J
• Other Program Requirements – 24 CFR 570.600-614, Subpart K
• Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards – 2 CFR 200

Other CDBG Programs

Community Development Block Grant – CARES (CDBG-CV)
Funding provided Congress in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for the CDBG program to prevent, prepare for, and respond to Coronavirus.

Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR)
Funding to help Hawaiʻi County to recover from Presidentially declared disasters. More information can be found at the County of Hawaiʻi Planning Department.

Community Development Block Grant – Mitigation (CDBG-MIT)
Funding for areas impacted by recent disasters to carry out strategic and high-impact activities to mitigate disaster risks and reduce future losses. More information can be found at the County of Hawaiʻi Planning Department.

Contact Information

For more information on the CDBG program, please e-mail ohcdcdbg@hawaiicounty.gov.

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