HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0989.043 2018-2020 From: Kristen Alice
Sent: Tuesday,July 21, 2020 11:48 AM COUNTY CLERK
To: Council Testimony COUNTY 'OF HAWAI'I
Subject: Bill 179 in support RECEIVEDTime UM tun By
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Date JUL 2 1` 2020
Aloha,
My name is Kristen Alice, and I am a Hilo resident and affordable housing advocate, writing in my personal capacity
in strong support of Bill 179. I want to express my gratitude to the council for its partnership in providing temporary
shelter for those experiencing homelessness during the pandemic, and for its move to develop a common sense
property tax framework.
We have a moral imperative to eliminate the barriers to affordable housing in our community. Before the pandemic,
55% of our county's residents were below the ALICE threshold, teetering on the edge of destitution. Since COVID-19
began, that inequality has jumped to catastrophic levels.
The causes of wealth inequality are many, and it would be foolish to think of any one solution as the silver bullet that
will save the world. However, it's our duty to do what we can within.the limits of our power,to make our community
a more equitable place. I want to live in a community where our residents have the option to care for themselves, their
health, and their families, without
the looming threat of eviction or homelessness.
You can put us on the path to that brighter future,by laying the framework for our community to efficiently utilize
affordable prefabricated housing options, such as HPM's HalePlus, which will put housing security and even
homeownership into reach for so many of our neighbors. Therefore, I strongly urge your support for Bill 179.
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony.
Kristen
Comm. No. q$q,43_
Ref.To: PiCo0116i
1 Ref. Date 7/22/2020