COM 0200.052 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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RUG-21-2007 10:52 From: HLPC 8088859590 To:808 961 8912 P. 3~3 Maw®ii Lr award Punning CvHeitnce In 0n9idaretion n• Blli No ? 56 ::Z F\I1a1151 i~Yi Page Iwv of i~w+ Clearly we Hoed new, diverse, and higher-wage employment opportunaies as well as, affordable workforce housing. However, placing such affordable housing raqulrements nn the investors who generate new empoyment opportunltiE<s is very mUCh like killing the goose that IayS [he golden egg. Instead, it may be wis6r for us to recagnlze the; prospe<~i~re employers look at numerous factors inclutling and not limftetl to, an available and educated workio ce. Cu~rendy, liewai'i County employers are racing challenges finding and sustaining such a workforce, and often the IacK of affordable housing is cited as one of the primary reasons far this shoAfall. This leads us to the adage of "what comes first the cnic~er ar the egg" - or in this case, "workforce or workforce housing". As such, perhaps a better strategy would be for u:; to focus nn identifying and implementing the means by which we can Increase the Inventory of affordable worldorce boos ng, which II'I rum, would attract a workforce which would encourage investment and thus, create more employmc-nt opponunitias. The Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference humbly requests that the Council revisit policy deve~opmenl on affordable housing and consider all of the contributing elements to this issue to ensure a sustainable policy that will endure t`m~utlh both good anN difficult economic times. In the interim, absent a comprehensive discussion as noted above, the Hawall Leeward Planning Conference roiierates opposition to 6i11 No. 156. Thank you for your leadership in finding and executing a responsible solution to our island's chiallenges, and fur Ibis opportunity to express our views on this matter. Respectfully submitted, . JaCgUi L. HOO~~er President Hawaii Leewab Planning Conference