HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0886.001 2020-2022 COMB.S8(1
July 29, 2022
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Councilmember Matt Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder, Chair
Councilmember Heather Kimball, Vice Chair
Members, Finance Committee
25 Aupuni Street '
Hilo HI 96720
Re: Resolution No. 467-22
Aloha!
I wish to testify in strong support of Resolution No. 467-22, calling for the county auditor to
conduct a performance audit of the Office of Housing and Community Development.
In light of the recent disclosures by the Justice Department of criminal activity occurring within
the OHCD over a period of some years, an audit is more than warranted. Since 2018, 1 have
looked into and reported in Environment Hawaii on the same criminal conspiracies identified
by the Justice Department. In January 2019, our publication called for the first time—but not
the last—for the council to exercise closer oversight of this agency. It is a pity that it took
federal charges against a former county employee and his criminally charged partners to finally
get the council's attention.
The practice of issuing affordable housing credits in advance of any actual construction—and,
indeed, in advance of the recipients even owning the property on which housing was to be built
—is at the heart of two of the three conspiracies identified by the federal prosecutors. While
this is not allowed for under Chapter 11, the language in that chapter could be amended to
make the prohibition strong and specific.
Thank you for allowing my testimony.
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421 Ka'anini Street
Hilo HI 96720
Comm. o. �
Ref.To: FCi
Ref. gate AUG 2 2022