COM 0200.051 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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developers postponing their projects, which result in fewer affordable units being built. On the other hand, if developers are provided with incentives, it will encourage them to build more housing supply in all price ranges for all income groups, including affordable rentals and housing. We understand that the County of Hawaii has an insufficient supply of rentals and for sale units for all income groups. In 2006, Maui County passed an affordable housing policy to try and address this issue; however, its requirements are so costly that it is discouraging the development of new market and affordable housing projects. Kauai County is also in the process of adopting a housing policy, and in its 2007 session, the Legislature was also trying to find ways to increase the supply of affordable housing. Over the years, Honolulu's affordable housing policy has resulted in the production of approximately 13,000 units. In 2004, LURF participated in the Joint Legislative Housing and Homeless Task Force, the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu's Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, and Affordable Housing Task Force created by Senate Concurrent Resolution 135. It was clear to the participants in these efforts that one of the major problems is that an overall lack of housing supply resulted in a lack of affordable housing. It was also a consistent and common finding that in order to create more affordable housing opportunities, there was a need to provide more housing in all income catectories. The problems of a lack of affordable housing and a lack of overall housing supply cannot be solved by burdening landowners and developers with aggressive government exactions and inclusionary zoning requirements. The crux of the problem is not the new jobs that are being generated but, rather, the lack of affordable workforce housing available. These are two related, but distinct, problems which should not be linked together. The connection between housing and income is generally explained as follows: Employers generally look for an educated work force and affordability in housing when locating or expanding businesses. From a public policy standpoint, if the State and counties want to attract employers to provide higher paying jobs for our residences both now in the future, it is imperative that the State and counties provide incentives to developers and land owners to insure an adequate supply of housing for all income levels. We need both new employment opportunities and affordable workforce housing. Rather than placing an affordable housing burden on investors who are bringing new jobs to the market, the government should consider what could or should be done to increase the supply of affordable workforce housing. Increasing the supply of housing would create housing opportunities to those who could be employed in the new jobs.