HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0589.013 2020-2022 i
r1council
SII fit
cbw,5�q
FIRST UNITED PROTESTANT CHURCH
i
1350 WAIANUENUE AVE.
ILC , HI 96720
February 21,2022 . ' •
1.
TO: Hawaii County Council
FROM: Rev.Christopher Czarnecki
cz
RE: AMENDS CHAPTER 19,ARTICLE 11,SECTION 19-90,OF THE HAWAII
CUPj
COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION,AS AMENDED),RELATING TO
REAL PROPERTY TAXES '
Dear Hawaii County Council, rrrw
'tom
I write today in support of accepting amended Bill 111,which would allocate 75 percent of property tax
revenues collected annually and designate them toward programs designed to address homelessness.
At the time I am writing this letter of support,there is an unhoused person sleeping tinder the lanai at our
church today. Normally,we have a preschool in session and would ask such individuals to leave the property.
On this day,however,when the preschool is not in session,I can let them sleep and offer them a bit of food
and water. We can love our neighbors and provide a rare opportunity to be some sort of support and refuge.
People often come to the church to sleep under the lanai,yet we are unable to help and provide them with the
adequate support and refuge they really need. Regrettably,we are more often asking individuals to leave,and
in some circumstances,having to call the police because fires have been set to keep warm or vandalism to our
church property has occurred after people have been found sleeping.
While we seek to be compassionate,what the unhoused coming to our church really need are county sponsored
programs and housing. Hawaii County has a significant affordable housing shortage. Because of this and the
insufficient homeless services available, Hawaii County continues to have a persistent homelessness problem.
And while these remain facts,another fact that continues to linger is...homelessness is a solvable problem.
If passed,Bill I i l could significantly increase funding for homeless services and help provide affordable
housing to address the needs of our unhoused neighbors. It could help significantly reduce homelessness in
Hawaii County and help us end family homelessness on our Island. Hawaii County is being given the
opportunity to allocate millions of dollars to homeless services that have proven to be effective and
compassionate and do so without raising local taxes.
I thank the Hawaii County Council for its consideration,and may you also be encouraged to cease the rare
opportunities you are being given to love our neighbors. To provide them with the support and refuge they not
only deserve but need.
Peace and Blessings,
Rev. Christopher Czarnecki
First United Protestant Church of Hilo
revchrisftnpcna gmail.com
(808)935-5914
Comm. Flo. •�
€ef. To: ��—
P of. Doan FZ73 2 3 2022