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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0589.016 2020-2022 Pf C,i bill III Cow.= From: Lori Ferrin Sent: Monday, February 21, 2022 6:58 PM To: Council Testimony Subject: Bill 111 testimony Aloha, My name is Lori Ferrin and I am writing on behalf of LGF Consulting Hawaii in support of Bill 111,which would appropriate at least 75%of the property tax revenue that is currently collected from second homes valued over$2 million. My agency helps members of our community avoid and overcome homelessness,through programs like Job Readiness Training, Career Navigation Facilitator Training, and Work Internship Programs, which are an integral part of the wraparound services offered by partners in our community. These programs are proven successful, but only when they are adequately funded! Employment services support job seekers as well as businesses and non-profit organizations, and our programs support workers to develop a career path that helps them increase skills, and access training and credentialing programs that strengthen their earning abilities. Employment stability ensures housing stability, and decreases reliance on government support programs now, and for generations to come. Homelessness is a traumatic experience. Whether someone is on the street for one night or for ten years, the trauma they experience can become a complex and vicious cycle of health issues (which include mental health/substance abuse), low wages, inability to become employed, violence, abuse, arrest, incarceration, and broken support systems. If these issues are not adequately addressed,and if the person is not able to heal,they are unlikely to attain permanent housing. With federal COVID money drying up in September, and state funding that is unreliable and inadequate, we need our county to step up and make sure that programs like ours are well resourced,so that we can continue to move the needle on homelessness. Please join me in supporting Bill 111, so that we can make housing and wraparound services accessible to our island's most vulnerable residents. Mahalo, Lori Ferrin Owner, LGF Consulting Hawaii P CMP LGF Consulting Hawaii �® lgfconsuhinghawaii@gmail.com 64-5308 Iokua Pl. Kamucla, HI 96743 808.854.9629 Com . N®. _• tic ROE To: 1 QIIA F_ oi° Deg2022