COM 0721.042 2020-2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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#1 op 0 0., N.?moi � `, Mitchell D.Roth • Lee E.Lord Mayor ra "t� ,4c Managing Director _ Vwp��:. Robert H.Command `1" T • F" ` Deputy Managing Director Cøunf of"tiaiixai`i @fftci .af tip Atagor 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 c ('`3. KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.,Bldg C • Kailua-Kona,Hawai`i 96740 r- • (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 June 13, 2022 -tea -n•-- :- ,41,71 Honorable Members of the County Council yr County of Hawai`i 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 RE: Veto of Bill 152 relating to County Housing Program Revolving Fund Aloha Council Members: I am exercising my right to Veto Bill 152 which passed its second and final reading June 1, 2022, and was transmitted to me on June 2, 2022, for my approval and signature. The amendment provides language changes that delineates specific activities and uses of the revolving fund which may limit the Office of Housing and Community Developments' ability to provide much needed affordable housing. We all agree that the housing need is great. So much so that it requires an approach that incorporates all involved. We need to broaden our ability to partner and to consider all options for housing development. The original language: "The revolving fund shall be utilized to pay for items such as: (a) the development of housing...." provides the broadest language to carry out the priorities I have embraced to meet the affordable housing need of Hawaii county. This broad language also minimizes the unintended consequences of not having considered all possible opportunities and tying our hands unnecessarily. I agree with the Office of Housing and Community Development Administrator Susan Kunz's testimony that she shared at council during the proceedings for Bill 152. I do not agree with the amendment to Chapter 2, Article 13, Section 2-75 (Use of revolving fund) and would recommend no changes to the revolving fund code. I also have a concern about whether the proposed amendment to the uses of the revolving fund contained in Article 2 of the Charter was the appropriate vehicle to N -4" .42 Comm.�� o.; Ref.to: COU.41G4t Ref.Date 0 6 $22 County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.