HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0550.007 2020-2022 S
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February 7, 2022
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Maile Medeiros David, Chair f{
Aaron S.Y. Chung,Vice Chair
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ED
Hawai'i County Council Wt�1< .,
County of Hawaii
Dear Chair David,Vice Chair Chung,and members of the County Council,
I would like to submit this written testimony on behalf of the Hawai'i Island Housing Coalition in support of Bill 101.As
proposed, Bill 101 AMENDS THE STATE LAND USE BOUNDARIES MAPS FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII BY CHANGING THE
DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION FROM THE AGRICULTURAL TO THE URBAN DISTRICT AT WAIAKEA, SOUTH HILO, HAWAI'l, COVERED
BY TAX MAP KEY: 2-4-001: 168.This action would allow the Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation(HICDC)to
develop ninety(90)affordable housing units and other related services.
The Hawai'i Island Housing Coalition is a stakeholder working group of the Vibrant Hawai'i non-profit with a commitment and
focus on addressing our island community's housing crisis. Our membership is comprised of representatives of various non-
profit organizations, businesses, community members,and county government representatives. Since its inception the
Housing Coalition membership has been working collaboratively on identifying not only the barriers and obstacles
contributing to our housing shortage and crisis but on solutions and opportunities to turn the tide on this mounting issue.
Among our many strategies are endeavors to:
• Increase Home Production and Preservation
• Support Land Use Policy that Promotes Equity and Affordability
• Support the Development of Vacant Parcels Tied to Infrastructure
The development and project being pursued by the HICDC would provide affordable housing at a price or cost attainable for
members and families in our community with a household income of up to sixty percent(6010)of the area median income or
AMI. Based on these figures and data,this is representative of jobs or positions such as food service and hospitality industry
workers, health care and education system employees, and general commodities retail businesses. These fundamental
service provider positions are essential to the social and economic stability of our community and many of those employers
are currently facing challenges with recruitment and retention.The establishment of much needed housing for this
demographic within the urban center of Hilo will afford those prospective residents with opportunities beyond just housing to
include access to education, healthcare, childcare, and gainful employment. Further,the location of the proposed project may
likely reduce their transportation burdens and afford residents with options and choices that span a broad spectrum of
transportation modes. Lastly,the location and planned project site will support the concept of infilling or increasing density in
appropriate areas and reduce urban sprawl.
In closing I would like to thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 101 and strongly encourage
your passage of this measure.
Sincerely,
Darryl Oliveira
Darryl Oliveira, Co-Chair
Hawai'i Island Housing Coalition
Comm. No,
200 Kanoelehua Avenue, PMB 366 Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 Ref.To: hLl
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Signature: Y�g
Email: darryl.oliveira@hpmhawaii.com
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