HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0989.103 2018-2020 f liCrli
COUNTY CLERK
Aaron Chung,Chair
COUNTY OF HAWAI'I July 17,2020
Hawaii County Council RECEIVED
25 Aupuni Street Time t7.:d1P By eSK
Hilo,HI 96720JUL 2 0 2020
Date
Dear Council Chair Chung,
i would like to submit this letter and written testimony on behalf of the members of the Hawai'i Island Housing Coalition in
support of Bill 179.
The Hawaii Island Housing Coalition is a working group under the Vibrant Hawaii Initiative focused on the critical issue of
housing and in particular,home production and preservation,land access and use,access to capital and credit,and policy and
community opportunity.
The Hawaii Island Housing Coalition currently has a membership of over forty organizations and individuals and reflects
island wide participation. Membership is not limited or restricted and is hoped will continue to grow. Each member or member
organization maintains its own identity and independence yet works collaboratively with other members and member organizations
to address the many and diverse housing issues and to prevent unnecessary duplication of programs or initiatives.
The Housing Coalition appreciates the efforts being made to solicit community input and the attempt to increase visibility
and transparency with the process of adopting new codes for Hawai'i County. It is acknowledged and understood that Bill 179 is the
first of many steps to be taken with the establishment of a comprehensive construction code and the implementation of efficiencies
and improvements to our County processes that in turn will help to promote and facilitate much needed development and
construction of affordable housing.
The Housing Coalition supports the adoption of Bill 179 in its entirety to include Appendix I.,Factory-Built Housing. This
provision had been adopted in 2012 and has been in effect for eight years without raised concern or adverse impact. Appendix I_
provides the opportunity for the development of an affordable housing solution that would complement the current industry
capabilities and provide island residents with an option that may put home ownership within reach. As reported in both the County
Consolidated Plan 2020-2024 and the 2019 Hawai'i Housing Planning Study,Hawaii 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 will not be the only solution for our housing crisis,however,will
provide a viable option for a particular segment of our community and a need that is not currently being addressed.
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. The Hawaii Island Housing Coalition is committed to participating in the
process and contributing to the review,amendment,and planned adoption of the Building and Residential codes. We look forward
to working collaboratively with the Building Division and the County Council on this endeavor.
Sin -rely, ,
fcL
'amyl tiveira,Co-Chair
Hawaii'Island Housing Coalition
Comm. No. '4 : ' .IO
Ref. To: ' a V
Ref. Date 7 22 2020