Kanoe Kepaa

The Board of Directors meeting addressed several key agenda items, including the adoption of a resolution expressing appreciation to Director Susan Kunz and the election of a board secretary. The board discussed and approved property-specific utility allowance rates for the federal low-income public housing program for the upcoming fiscal year. Additionally, the board considered the approval of the Annual Public Housing Agency Plan and the Moving to Work Supplement for fiscal year 2027, both of which require submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Further, the board reviewed pre-development budget extensions for the Mayor Wright Homes Redevelopment and authorized executive director actions for related loans. A settlement in a civil litigation matter was also discussed, with provisions for executive session to consult with legal counsel.

The Board meeting addressed several critical items, primarily focusing on adopting Emergency Rules Relating to Eviction. These rules suspend existing regulations and expand non-curable violations to address a significant increase in criminal activity across properties, specifying criteria such as threats to health/safety, criminal convictions, and excessive property damage. The Board also reviewed motions regarding the approval of the Predevelopment Budget and funding for the Kaahumanu Homes Redevelopment and the Lanakila Homes Redevelopment, authorizing the Executive Director to execute necessary loans for predevelopment costs. Additionally, the Board received a quarterly status update on the Ka Lei Momi Redevelopment Project. Other actions included approving the Fiscal Year 2027 Draft Annual Public Housing Agency Plan and the Moving to Work Supplement, and authorizing the entry into the Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) for the Mayor Wright Homes Phase 1A Redevelopment. The Board also discussed settlement authorization for a legal case, Karsom, et al. v. State of Hawaii, et al.

The agenda for the meeting primarily concerned action items related to the Kuhio Park Terrace Low-Rise redevelopment project. Key discussions included the approval of an update to the Predevelopment Loan Agreement, Assignment, and Note to reflect KPLR Phase 1, LP as the Updated Borrower, and authorizing the Executive Director to extend the Maturity Date to August 1, 2025, or Closing. The Board also addressed the authorization for the Executive Director to deregister HPHA property in the Land Court System. Further items included discussion of the Single Audit of Federal Financial Assistance Programs and the Executive Director's report covering updates on the Ka Lei Momi Redevelopment Project, occupancy rates, and NSPIRE inspections. The Board also voted to approve the Annual Public Housing Agency (PHA) Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and the Moving to Work Supplement for the same period. Finally, approval was sought for the transfer of the Master Development Agreement for the Kuhio Park Terrace Low-Rise Project from The Michaels Development Company I, L.P. to HCDC Kuhio Park 1 LLC, and approval of the Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) for the Low-Rise Phase I redevelopment.

The board meeting agenda primarily focused on the Annual Public Housing Agency Plan for Fiscal Year 2027 and the Moving to Work Supplement for Fiscal Year 2027, including authorizing public hearings for both. Key discussion items also involved the approval of the Disposition and Development Agreement for the Mayor Wright Homes Phase 1A Redevelopment and the approval of a settlement in the case of Karsom, et al. v. State of Hawaii, et al. The meeting included reports, such as the Executive Director's report covering development and redevelopment projects including public housing modernization and the Ka Lei Momi project. The document details extensive information on housing needs based on waiting lists for Public Housing and Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), as well as proposed revisions to HCV and Public Housing policies regarding eligibility, admissions, and rent determination, such as adjusting definitions for homelessness and proposing biennial recertifications for public housing families. Financial resources planned for FY 26 were also detailed.

The agenda for the meeting included the establishment of quorum and several discussion and decision-making items. Key topics involved adopting Emergency Rules Pursuant to Section 91-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to Eviction, which included suspending existing rules and expanding the scope of non-curable violations based on findings related to increased criminal activity across various police beats. The Board also addressed approvals for the Predevelopment Budget and HPHA Funding for the Kaahumanu Homes Redevelopment and the Lanakila Homes Redevelopment, authorizing the Executive Director to execute related loans. Additionally, there was a presentation providing a Quarterly Status Update on Predevelopment and Development Achievements for the Ka Lei Momi Redevelopment Project.