HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0589.026 2020-2022 rte
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February 22, 2022
Hon. Maile David,Chair COUNTY CLERK
Hawaii County Council COUNTY OF HAWAII
County of Hawaii RECEIVED
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Aloha Chair David and members of the County Council, D $
FEU_ Z 2 122
I would like to submit this written testimony on behalf of the Hawai'i Island Housing Coalition in support
of the general intent of Bill 111.
However,these are the questions that the Housing Coalition would appreciate having clarity on:
• What is the definition of a County-sponsored program?
• If it is a grant, are only non-profit organizations eligible to access these funds?
• Advocates of ending homelessness often state that a primary way to end homelessness is with
housing, and so, will these funds be prioritized to create housing?
o If the intended outcome is to create housing to end homelessness,will this fund only be
accessible to non-profit organizations who develop/create housing?
• Does the language "to address housing and homeless"tie the two together, meaning that the
funds must be used to provide housing to directly serve individuals experiencing homelessness?
o If the intent is to provide housing for a broad spectrum Hawaii Island residents,
including those who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed (ALICE),could
the language be modified to state that the fund will support"projects designed to
address housing or homelessness"?
• 75%of the anticipated revenue over the next 5-years could reach$35MM.Are there benchmark
measures that are being considered to ensure we are incrementally reaching objective
outcomes?
• Knowing that money is just one resource needed to develop housing, are the other County
departments who play a major role in the process equally committed to prioritize the projects
that address housing and/or homelessness in order to meet the objective outcomes of this
special fund beginning this July and over the next 5-years?
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.
Sincerely,
Darryl Oliveira,Co-Chair
Hawaii Island Housing Coalition
Comm. No. �Scil
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