HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0721.021 2020-2022 W �
. 116
omb
From: Malani Deaguiar
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2022 9:15 PM COUNTYCLERK
To: Council Testimony COUNTY OFHAW
Subject: Bills 152 & 153 RECEIVED
ate APR 2 i i
Aloha mai kakou,
I am writing testimony in support of Bills 152 & 153.
With the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic, there are so many people in Kona who are barely
making ends meet. Bill 152 would assuredly be a great help if lands or existing structures were
acquired for affordable housing. The inclusion of subsidies, grants and loans to support very low
and low income households would also be extremely helpful. There have been so many homes sold
to non-Hawai'i residents and I have seen it first hand because I know a few realtors in Kona who
have made good money by selling these homes for cash to mainlanders who seem to have a lot
more extra cash than our own Kona folks. I don't think it's fair at all, especially if some of these
homes will be used for vacation homes. Again, available homes are being sold out from under our
own Kona people. These actions need to stop.
Bill 153 makes sense for the development of more housing and to exercise the buy-back option
running in favor of the County and to pay for the costs of maintaining, repairing, renting or reselling
units purchased by the County. If this fund currently lacks meaningful or consistent financial
support from the County, then perhaps it is time for the County to get their ducks in a row for the
benefit of housing for the people. Homelessness seems to be increasing again, and I'd love to see
some kind of housing for them as well. Approximately 4 million dollars can do a lot for the people in
Kona. The housing crisis needs to be attended to immediately.
'O au iho no (With humility),
Malani Papa DeAguiar
Coram. o.
Ref. To: flu"61
Ref. Date MAY -. 4 2022
i