Council approves $17.3M affordable‑housing awards; companion budget bill moves forward

The Hawaii County Council on Nov. 9 voted to approve Resolution 331 authorizing $17,324,559.46 from the county’s Affordable Housing Production Program to seven projects across the island.

Susan (Office of Housing) presented exhibits showing the awardees, a total of 1,176 units (845 rentals, 327 for sale, four manager units), and an AMI breakdown demonstrating that a majority of awarded rental units target lower AMI bands despite program emphasis on 100–140% AMI. The office explained that many state and federal programs support lower‑AMI housing and that the county program fills a higher‑AMI funding gap. Exhibit materials also showed public‑engagement steps and the award prioritization process; staff said 20 applications were received and top‑ranked projects were funded based on posted selection criteria.

Council members pressed staff to confirm competitive procedures for awards to entities designated as “other organizations” (non‑nonprofit recipients) and asked for follow‑up from Corporation Counsel on procurement compliance. Members also discussed the geographic concentration of awards in West Hawaii and the need to recruit applicants from Hilo and other districts in future rounds.

Resolution 331 was adopted (voice vote recorded as seven ayes); the companion Bill 96, which amends the operating budget to allocate the $17.3 million among named projects, passed first reading. Council members emphasized that Bill 96 and related ordinances provide additional opportunities for committee-level questions and for final review at second reading.