2023-01 Office of Housing and Community Development Affordable Housing Credits

Home

What is the County's Affordable Housing Policy? In support of the county's ongoing efforts to provide adequate, affordable housing to its residents, the Hawaii County Council established an affordable housing policy in 1998 through the adoption of Ordinance No. 98-1. "The objectives of this affordable housing policy are to: • Implement the goals and policies of the county's general plan • Promote and assist private development of affordable housing for senior citizens and qualified households • Use available governmental grants and funds in the development of affordable housing and increase the capabilities of qualified households to obtain affordable housing • Support innovative, lower-cost approaches that may be used in the development of affordable housing • Require large resort and industrial enterprises to address related affordable housing needs as a condition of rezoning approvals based on current economic and housing conditions". 1 Why is affordable housing important? "The need for affordable housing is immense, and the lasting impact it can have on homeowners and their families are undeniable 2." A 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study reported Hawaii County will need 10,795 3 affordable housing units within the next five years (2020-2025). "Research shows that increasing access to affordable housing is the most cost-effective strategy for reducing childhood poverty and increasing economic mobility in the United States. 4" The lack of affordable housing is a significant challenge facing many residents of Hawaii, including those in Hawaii County. To address this problem, the county legislated an affordable housing policy requiring "residential developers to include affordable housing in their projects or contribute to affordable housing off-site." The Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) — Planning Branch oversees and implements the county's affordable housing policy requirements, also known as Chapter 11. Through OHCD, the county enters into affordable housing agreements (AHA) with developers. AHAs are signed by a developer, the county housing administrator, corporation counsel, and the mayor. 1 County of Hawaii General Plan 2005. https://www.planning.Hawai`icounty.gov/general-plan-community- planning/gp/plan Date accessed 12-2-22 (pg. 9-3). 2 Habitat for Humanity. Why is affordable housing important? https://www.habitat.org/stories/reinforcing- importance-of-our-work Date accessed 11-21-22. 3 SMS. Hawaii Housing Planning Study, 2019. Table 34 (pg. 40). https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/WebLink/PDF/vrwv4zoxdta2zreg5po2ghr0/8/2019%20Hawaii%20Housing%20PIa n n i ng%20Study. pdf Date accessed 12-27-22. 4 National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC). Why do affordable homes matter? Record-breaking numbers of families cannot afford decent place to call home. https://nlihc.org/explore-issues/why-we- care#:N:text=Housing%20is%20the%20key%20to,mobility%20in%20the%20United%20States. Date accessed 11-21-22. 6 Introduction