HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0589.014 2020-2022 lcourlcAI
'bill I I I
ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CHURCH
75-5769 Alii Drive ® Kailua-Kana,Hawaii 96740
mM ' - .. PH: (808) 326-7771 • Email: stmichaelarchangel@rcchawaii.org
I
Welasitea stmichaeIparish kona.org
V.
February 21, 2022
Hawaii County Council
Chair and Members
NJ CD
RE: Bill 111—Strong Y I Support
St. Michael the Archangel Church is an active member of Community Alliance Partners. We µ
agree that the way to end homelessness is with housing along with supportive services for
those who need it. There are many affordable housing projects on the books and in process but
not enough.There are not enough shelters and supportive housing either and not enough
funds to staff our non-profits who are the outreach workers, the housing navigators,the
supportive service providers.
At St. Michael's, parishioners grow a community garden and provide funds, food, meals,
diapers, and furnishings to those who are struggling both directly and via the non-profits who
work with the homeless and vulnerable.
We are also looking into providing safe parking at one of our mission churches parking lots for
families who sleep in their cars because they cannot find housing they can afford that is near
work and school. Homelessness is a traumatic experience that impacts long term physical and
mental health. It impacts a person's ability to lead a productive life.
Currently COVID money has filled in some of the gaps to keep people housed but those funds will dry up
in September.State funding helps but it not enough.
Bill 111,which would appropriate at least 75%of the property tax revenue that is currently collected
from second homes valued over$2 million. Funds raised from Bill 111 would give the county the
flexibility to support many more affordable, low income housing, and shelters and grant our
non-profits funds to provide much supportive services to our most vulnerable.
We thank Council Member Chung for listening to the needs expressed by our social service non-
profits and county housing and community service officials and for coming up with a viable
solution.
Please vote yes on Bill 111.
Humbly,
Sh&4!)acid
Shirley David, Chairt
St. Michael Pastoral Council Comm. too. ` 1
nets. To: nG{
RO. Dale
ONE CATHOLIC GHANA
St.Michael the Archangel .,,, *St.Peter by the sea ;abaio;j•immaculate Conception Nooa(oa-St.Paul!,atwanri-Holy Rosary,,aaoa