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PART 3. HOUSING ELEMENT <br />In an economic setting, the construction of housing is an essential contributor to business, <br />industry and employment. The location of housing on the other hand is dependent upon the <br />location of other economic and employment opportunities, such as agriculture or resort <br />developments. <br />In the physical setting, housing and its residential land use component utilize a significant <br />portion of the County's urban lands. The placement or settlement patterns and the form of <br />housing are major influences on the environment and aesthetic setting of the island. <br />From government's perspective, adequate housing for residents is part of the considerations of <br />public health, welfare and safety. Housing and residential use of land is a generator of <br />government revenue through local real property taxes. The revenues are balanced by <br />significant expenditures of public funds for roads, schools, protective services and other capital <br />improvement projects that service residential areas. Thus, the provision of housing requires the <br />coordination of planning and implementation on all levels of government. <br />The availability of housing is dependent on a number of interrelated factors, including the <br />availability of appropriately zoned land and infrastructure, and the cost of raw land and its <br />development. The Housing Element must consider future costs of constructing a house and the <br />ability of individuals to purchase or rent these units. Government housing programs, therefore, <br />influence and are influenced by the diverse needs of our residents. <br />In the collective sense, the Housing Element is related to all other elements of the General Plan. <br />It is most directly related to the Land Use Element. Moreover, the Housing Element is directly <br />influenced by the County's desired growth directions. <br />HOUSING OBJECTIVES <br />• Attain safe, sanitary, and livable housing for the residents of the County of Hawaii. <br />• Maintain a diversity of socio-economic housing mix throughout the different parts of <br />the County. <br />• Create viable communities with affordable housing and suitable living environments. <br />• Improve and maintain the quality and affordability of the existing housing inventory. <br />• Seek sufficient production of new affordable rental and fee -simple housing in a <br />variety of sizes to satisfactorily accommodate the needs and desires of families and <br />individuals. <br />• Ensure that housing is available to all persons regardless of age, sex, marital status, <br />ethnic background, and income. <br />• Locate affordable housing in reasonable proximity to employment centers. <br />20 <br />