HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0077.009 2022-2024 P/PCPLuO
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County of Hawai`i
2023 HAR _6 2:
09
Policy Committee on Planning,Land Use,and Development
25 Aupuni Street,
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
March 7,2023
Re: Bill 18
Aloha Chair Kierkiewicz,Vice Chair Inaba, and Committee Members,
My name is Sibley Barnette,and I am a graduate student in the Tropical Conservation Biology and
Environmental Science program at UH Hilo. I am submitting this testimony on my behalf.
I am writing in support of Bill 18 amending chapter 11, article 1, sections 11-3 and 11-13 of the Hawai`i
County Code 1983 (2016 edition,as amended),which establishes a preference system for awarding
affordable housing.
While spending six months living on Banyan Drive, I had the opportunity to speak to many people in the
area—property managers,residents,and those without a place to live—about their current housing
situations and the housing crisis in Hawaii.Though there are several ways to create viable housing and
job opportunities for those currently facing houselessness,I believe that this amendment will provide an
increase in availability of affordable housing for many Hawai`i residents through creating a preference
system.
The majority of houseless individuals measured through the annual Statewide Homeless Point in Time
Count were unsheltered(not in emergency or transitional facilities) in 2022("Point in Time Count",
2023). By establishing a preference system,affordable housing will become more accessible for those
who hold Hawai`i residency.This,combined with other urgent actions to combat houselessness, can help
the number of unsheltered individuals continually decrease.
However,in order to truly make a difference in the housing crisis amongst those in most need of
affordable housing,.amendments to this bill should be made to,ensure that more individuals residing in
Hawaii are eligible. For example, some individuals may not have the funds or resources to attain proper
documentation representing their residency status.This is a single example of many individuals who
would be considered outliers with the current preference system outlined. I hope that these changes will
be taken into consideration in order to include individuals who may be excluded from accessible
affordable housing without further amendments.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Best,
Sibley Barnette
Comm. No. 1-11q
Ref.To: P I PC UA D
Ref. Date MAR _ 7 2023
References
"Point in Time Count."State ofHawai`i: Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing
Solutions (OHHS),https://homelessness.hawaii.gov/point-in-time-count/.