HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0074.018 2024-2026January 10, 2025
Council Member Kagiwada
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1402
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Subject: Support for Hualalai Court Workforce Housing Project
Aloha Councilmember Kagiwada,
I am writing in support of the Hualalai Court Affordable Workforce Housing application to build 104 affordable
apartments in your district.
I have been a full-time civil servant for the State of Hawaii Department of Education for 24 years. Throughout
this time, I have struggled to support my family. My salary has consistently been just above the enabling
qualification in income for any type of assistance. For many years, I made only $14 more than the income
requirement to qualify for food or financial assistance. My intent has never been to try to get a free handout
or to play the system. As such, I increase my income by working a second job to be able to cover all of our
expenses along with my husband's salary. We would not be able to afford our family's living expenses if I did
not do so. I am in the same tax bracket as my supervisor, yet make $30,000 less with my household's
combined 3 incomes. We have had to devise and follow a very strict budget in order to survive and pay off
debt in order to plan for retirement.
I know that many people are in this same situation and many are living paycheck to paycheck. However, so
many of the employees in the public, and/or government sectors are almost being punished for working while
there are others taking advantage of the welfare system because not working or keeping your income low is
inadvertently incentivized. On top of this, many of us have student loans that we are paying because the
experience necessary for these jobs require a college education.
The Hualalai Court Affordable Workforce Housing project would greatly benefit those of us working for the
Department of Education and many other State and County agencies. It would increase our quality of life,
therefore increasing productivity, and our ability to put money back into our own economy here in Hawaii. It
would also help to ensure that this valuable workforce does not seek a more affordable lifestyle outside of
Hawaii.
Very Respectfully Submitted,
Tiffa Le - ead
808.960.9959
tleeread@gmail.com
2 1 "'10,15
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