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Committee backs county consolidated plan and $2.7M CDBG project list to send to HUD
Summary
The committee voted to forward Resolution 105 adopting the County’s 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan—required for upcoming HUD Community Development Block Grant, HOME and ESG funding—after staff outlined priorities and a projected $2.7 million allocation.
The Committee on Government Operations and External Affairs voted to forward Resolution 105 to the full County Council with a favorable recommendation, a step required before the county submits its five‑year consolidated plan and 2025 annual action plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Royce Sharma, director of the Office of Housing and Community Development, told the committee the consolidated plan establishes the county’s priorities and goals for federal funding streams including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships, Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) and the Housing Trust Fund. The consolidated plan covers the 2025–2029 period; the county’s annual action plan lists specific projects for 2025 and must be submitted to HUD by May 15.
Sharma said the county anticipates roughly $2.6 million in HUD allocations for 2025 plus program income—about $2.7 million total—and listed priority uses including affordable housing, public facilities, infrastructure that supports housing, homeless prevention and public services. The staff-proposed project list includes nonprofit housing projects and facility improvements such as proposals from Arc of Kona and Arc of Hilo.
Committee members asked for clarification about data sources in the plan’s housing needs assessment. Sharma said the county relied on U.S. Census data for the packet presented to the committee and noted an updated statewide housing study (initially contracted to SMS and now carried by Ward Research) remains in draft form; Housing staff expects a published update in the summer and said they will update the consolidated plan materials as appropriate.
Councilmember Kurkowitz noted a planning-and-policy section of the plan (page 94 of the committee packet) that lists barriers to affordable housing—zoning, permitting delays, fees and limited home-ownership opportunities—and urged the committee and administration to pursue policy changes and cross-departmental work on solutions.
Sharma said applicants for CDBG project funding were ranked through a committee review process and cautioned that HUD allocations can change under federal budget processes; if available funding shifts, awards will be adjusted consistent with project rankings.
The committee recorded eight votes in favor of forwarding the resolution to Council with a favorable recommendation (Councilmember Galimba was excused). The county will submit the consolidated plan and the annual action plan to HUD by the statutory deadline for federal funding consideration.
Votes at committee: forwarded to full council with a favorable recommendation, 8 in favor, 0 opposed (1 excused).
