HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0589.012 2020-2022 a
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From: Jessica Caravalho
Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2022 12:24 PM COUNTY CLERK
To: Council Testimony COUNTY OF HAWAII
Subject: Testimony for Bill 111 RECEIVED
1 O.M.
RV d(61—
ate
Aloha,
I am Jessicamae Caravalho and I am writing in strong support of Bill 111, which seeks to appropriate 75% of
property tax revenue that is currently collected from second homes valued over $2 million to County-sponsored
programs addressing homelessness.
In January of 2020, United States Interagency of Homeless found that "Hawaii had an estimated 6,458 experiencing
homelessness on any given day, as reported by Continuums of Care to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban I
Development (HLTD). Of that Total, 499 were family households, 485 were Veterans, 299 were unaccompanied
young adults (aged 18-24), and 1,678 were individuals experiencing chronic homelessness". Furthermore, in regards
to our children of Hawaii, "Public school data reported to the U.S. Department of Education during the 2018-2019
school year shows that an estimated 3,604 public school students experienced homelessness over the course of the
year. Of that total, 297 students were unsheltered, 777 were in shelters, 19 were in hotels/motels, and 2,510 were
doubled up".
This is a public health issue that cannot be ignored because the effects of homelessness are dire for the individual
and communities. Homeless individuals are at risk for psychological trauma(Goodman et al., 1991),physical assault
or rape(Kelly, 1985), chronic disease, respiratory illness, traumatic disorders, and drug and alcohol abuse(Institute of
Medicine, 1988). The costs to remediate the effects of homelessness are tremendous for our community.
The solution to this public health issue is this opportunity to address homelessness.
Please stand in support of Bill 111.
Mahalo,
Jessica Caravalho
MSW Practicum Student t
Going Nome Hawaii I
80 Pauahi Street, Ste 203 I
Hilo, HI 96720
Office: (808) 491-2437
Mobile: (808) 217-2425
Fax: (808) 498-0315
Email: Jessica.goinghomehawaiiCabgmail.com
Website: www.goinghomehawaii.org
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Comm. !
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