HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0722.012 2020-2022 Y Y
May 3,2022
aile Medeiros David,Chair
Aaron S.Y.Chung,Vice-Chair
County Council
County of Hawaii ryCD
Dear Chair David,Vice-Chair Chung, and Members of the County Council,
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I would like to submit this letter and written testimony in support of Bill 153,on behalf of th
Er:
Hawai'i Island Housing Coalition. Bill 153 proposes TO INITIATE AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE X OF T Oe
HAWAII COUNTY CHARTER(2020 EDITION), RELATING TO THE COUNTY HOUSING PROGRAM REVOL G f
FUND.
As I have shared previously,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.
Bill 153, if passed,would afford the voters of our community with the opportunity to express
the collective concern and appreciation for our growing housing crisis and exercise the right to vote on a
possible option to fund much needed affordable housing initiatives. It will afford our community
members with the opportunity to take ownership and engagement in a financial solution that may
benefit generations to come.
As housing costs continue to rise and the gap between housing costs and household income
widens exponentially, now is the time for action and for our community to rise up and take a united
position on this critical issue.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 153,and on behalf of the
Hawaii Island Housing Coalition, 1 strongly encourage your support and passage of this measure.
Sincerely,
Darryl Oliveira,Co-Chair
Hawai'i Island Housing Coalition
Comm. No. 122 T
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Ref. Date t4 AV A 2022
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