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Affordable Housing Policy ~ ~ Response to Mayoral Veto p -'-'-"„^--01' Concerns Raised by Mayor: Cwt[^h' Council 1. There is no provision for those who may have pa}mtents in advance of their obligation: 2. The Bill does not address the case of obligations that have accrued prior to the approval of the Bill; and 3. The Bill leaves open the treatment to be afforded to those who have acquired existing credits. Draft Response: We regret that the Mayor has vetoed Bill No. 171, Draft 2 which establishes an Affordable Housing Policy for the County of Haavaii. The Affordable Housing Policy is intended to provide a framework for balancing the housing requirements on new developments with the need to support and encourage economic growth for this island. The present Housing Policy, which is contained in Resolution 65, requires that up to sixty percent (60"/~) of housing units be affordable, i.e., subsidized by the remaining fom• percent (40%). This policy is clearly outdated and discourages housing production. At the same time. we recognize the need for developments to address their housing impacts. Bill No. 171. Draft ?was intended to establish a legally enforceable framework and guide for the provision of affordable housing associated with new development activity within the County of Hawaii. Within this framework, the County, through the Housing Administmtor and the Count}' Councih sitting as the County Housing Agenc}•, will identift• and address specific issues as they arise. In his veto message. the Mayor identified three areas of potential concem with the Bill. We feel that the Bill provides a basis for dealing with each of these areas of concem, if not directly, then through a process whereby the Housing Agency, with the advise and recommendation of the Housing Administrator, can address any specific issue that may arise. An example of this framework for decision making provided by Bill No. 171, Draft 2 is with respect to Housing Credits. Housing Credits have been allowed pursuant to Resolution 65. However. nowhere in this Resolution is any authority for the granting of credits nor the use of them to satisfy the housing requirements. However. Bill No. 171 provides additional flexibility to the Housing Agency to consider "other means" to address any housing requirement. Through this provision. housing credits can be sanctioned as a means of addressing housing requirements. As in :m}' change of policy, a period of adjustment will be required. The Bill will address [Iris b}' allo~~ ing those developments that have not been fulh' satisfied to be reassessed at the option of the person or entire that holds the entitlement. However. «'e felt that it would not be practical or nec:asar~~ [o reassess those conditions that have been fulls satisfied. Cq -7 Corarr. lb? J / / • ~ ~ !tb Aa C~' N 3 G ~ Presented Gev,NvL Ref. il.Yn ,