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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0721.022 2020-2022 bill From: Jodi Mercier Sent: Monday, May 02, 2022 8:44 PM To: Council Testimony Subject: Bills 152 and 153 Dear Councilmembers, Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony. I am writing to express my support of Bills 152 and 153.Although I could write volumes on the issue of the current lack of affordable housing on island and the tragic effects on our people and communities,one only needs to look at the rental advertisement sites to know that this issue is dire. The current lack of housing affects all island residents and the ability to maintain our local economy. Not only do all working families and their children need and deserve adequate housing but businesses on the west side struggle to find employees who can afford to live here. If we want teachers for our children, staff for our hospitals,tellers for our banks, employees for our hotels,and clerks for our stores, affordable housing needs to be prioritized with more resources directed it and the ability to develop creative solutions to achieve such. In addition,the lack of affordable housing is grossly unfair to Kanaka Maoli who absolutely deserve the ability to remain in their home without being houseless.As I am not Kanaka Maoli, I choose not to expand on this statement as there are those who can speak much more eloquently and knowledgeably about this can 1. However, I can assure you that this was the impetus for my decision to submit testimony. Thank you for your time, Jodi MercierCZ Kealakekua Sent from my Wad U1 _. Comm. No. Ref, To• P —�— Ref. Date MAY m4 202 1