HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0721.031 2020-2022 P/Gounci
.bIlI 159.
COUNTY CLERK Gowt.721
tgr LGF Consulting HawaiiCOUNTY F HAWAII
808.854.9629
CONSULTING G
e._3 ,o-c,. Igfconsultinghawaii@gmail.co MAY 17 AM X68
March 17, 2022
To the Members of Hawaii County Council:
I am writing this letter as I have just finished reading an article titled "Building Burdens" in the West
Hawaii Today Newspaper. It states in the article "It's more difficult to get a construction project rolling
in Hawaii County than anywhere else in the nation, according to a report released last month". There
are many reasons cited in the article, including considerations about overburdening existing
infrastructure, promoting energy efficiency, and ensuring ecological and cultural preservation—all
factors in the lengthy, and costly, permitting process. It is important to safeguard the quality of life
here in Hawaii County, and paramount to that quality of life is safe and affordable housing. Increasing
funding and expanding uses for expenditure of those funds to support our housing needs can help to
mitigate those costs.These are the reasons I am asking that you support Bills 152 and 153.
We are seeing the effects of years of housing shortages and price increases,to the point where now
many working families cannot afford housing without subsidies, or are forced to move off Island.
Families have to spend time and energy to meet the housing program requirements, using that time
and energy away from family and having to navigate work schedules to meet program requirements.
Making affordable housing options a priority on this island ensures families can rely less on
government subsidies, and provide opportunity for young families to stay in their communities, and
not be forced to relocate to the mainland in order to have hope for housing and economic stability.
Housing in Hawaii, and specifically in Hawaii County, is expensive.The recent increases in rent and
housing are squeezing families out. Please prioritize policy and funding programs that make housing
attainable and sustainable. Please support Bills 152 and 153.
Mahalo,
Lori Ferrin
J
Comm. No. 121 7)1
Ref. To: 9 I court 4i
Ref. Date MAY 1 8 2022