HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0989.092 2018-2020 -,o'?"ok Gommere_
v C
fi = 0 4'
,..4-4A1= a Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawai`i
% -I.,/ i
Slice 195♦
July 20,2020
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII
Aaron Chung Chair RECEIVED
Hawai'i County Council Time 8:5Oo'i t BY de
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo,HI 96720 Date aUL 2 1 2020
Dear Chair Chung,
I would like to submit this letter and written testimony on behalf of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce&
Industry of Hawaii(JCCIH)in support of Bill 179.
As proposed,Bill 179 will provide alternatives and options with housing solutions to include Appendix L,
Factory-Built Housing and Appendix Y,Tiny Homes. Both of these appendices demonstrate a recognition of,and
appreciation for progressive options to our island's housing crisis and the need to provide our residents with
attainable housing solutions. The current lack of inventory of affordable housing and the anticipated growth of
this deficit,emphasizes the urgency and necessity to identify and employ a multitude of viable housing solutions to
meet the diverse and expansive needs of our residents. In particular,those households that are faced with
financial constraints that limit their options and place them at high risk for homelessness.
As reported in both the County Consolidated Plan 2020-2024 and the 2019 Hawai'i Housing Planning
Study, Hawai'i Island is currently at a deficit with housing inventory and will need 13,500 new housing units by
2025. Further,the greatest deficit and need is for housing units for those households with a combined total
income at or below 80%of the area median income. This reflects a household income of$47,200 or less. Using
recognized government and lending program calculation models,these households would have a maximum
monthly housing budget of$1,179 to include utilities. Factory-Built Housing and Tiny Homes will not be the only
solutions for our housing crisis,however,will provide viable options for particular segments of our community and
fill a need that is not currently being addressed.
1 Given Hawai'i Island's significant housing crisis,it is imperative that the code adoption process continues
to engage our community and encourage collaboration to achieve its goal of ensuring occupant and public safety
and concurrently,not impose barriers to affordable and attainable housing solutions.
Sincerely,
Donn Mende
President
Japanese Chamber of Commerce&Industry of Hawaii
Comm. No. 989 cm
Ref. To: P/C01,1116(
Ref. Date 7/22/1020
714 Kanoelehua Avenue,Hilo,Hawaii 96720-4565 I Phone:((808)934-0177 I Fax:(808)934-0178 I E-mail: iccih( jccih.orq
Website: www.jccih.org