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Committee hears HUD‑approved $1.639 billion CDBG‑DR action plan and implementation update
Summary
Administration staff told the Budget, Finance & Economic Development Committee HUD approved the county’s CDBG‑DR action plan. The plan allocates roughly $1.639 billion across housing, infrastructure, mitigation, public services and administration; staff described next steps, a consultant selection and an intake timeline.
The committee received an update on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)‑approved Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG‑DR) action plan and on related federal and state funding work. Administration officials said they have received the HUD grant agreement and are processing it; they expect to execute the agreement soon and begin drawing down funds.
Managing Director John Smith and Josiah Nishita provided an overview: total CDBG‑DR allocation is approximately $1.639 billion. The action plan sets aside about $903 million for housing programs (including single‑family reconstruction and multifamily rental reconstruction), $400 million for infrastructure, roughly $213 million for mitigation/resilience, $25 million for public services, and about $82 million for administrative costs. The administration recently selected a consultant team led by Horn (H O R N E) with local subcontractors to assist implementation and compliance with HUD requirements.
Staff summarized programmatic targets listed in the approved action plan: single‑family reconstruction (program target units ~634), multifamily reconstruction and new construction (targets in the hundreds), and single‑family new construction (target ~115 units). Officials said they compiled those targets from damage assessments, ownership data and estimated per‑unit reconstruction costs for the burn area.
Administration officials discussed timing and intake. The recovery team will convert the existing recovery center into an intake center and begin intake work after the grant agreement is finalized; staff estimated an intake process ready by early August and said the team will provide both in‑person and online intake options for displaced residents, with partners such as Hawaiian Community Lending and nonprofit partners assisting. Josiah Nishita said HUD has signaled flexibility to modify the action plan if necessary, but staff expect to proceed with the approved plan and to seek adjustments if implementation proves impractical.
On implementation logistics, officials said reimbursements will be processed quickly under the CDBG‑DR mechanism and the county is building internal financial capacity to manage draws and audits. The grant term is six years from execution; staff said projects and related programs commonly continue beyond the six‑year encumbrance period.
Officials noted the CDBG‑DR allocation is one part of a larger recovery financing picture: the county’s unmet rebuilding need across sources was previously estimated in the billions. Staff emphasized the plan prioritizes housing needs and mitigation measures intended to build resilience as the county rebuilds.
Next steps: execute the HUD grant agreement, finalize consultant contracts and set up intake operations; staff will return to council with details on the consultant team and implementation schedule.
