HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0074.046 2024-2026 P/Counci l
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January 31, 2025
Hawaii Council Members
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1402
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Subject: Support for Res. 51-25, Hualalai Court Workforce Housing.Project zk.
Aloha Council Members, c Y
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Thank you for your approval to move Resolution 51-25 for Hualalai Court Affordable Workforce
Housing through committee. We appreciate your commitment to finding affordable housing
solutions within our community.
I am writing in support of Res. 51-25,which would add 104 more affordable housing units for
Hilo residents.
As Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island, Inc., a non-profit that builds and
provides affordable homeownership opportunities for the Big Island, I know painfully well the
gap between affordable housing and the need for such; a particularly exacerbated situation on
the west side of the island. Although this is a project that Habitat International guidelines
would not allow us to participate in as an organization, our organization, and myself personally,
are in support of boosting affordable housing availability so that our community can thrive, at
all levels, and in all places. Currently, so many individuals and ohanas are priced out of finding
adequate housing, and being able to produce more supply is a years long process. Therefore,
the sooner we get started constructing additional units,the better.
My hope is that we, as a community, would strive for a balanced approach to our building
activities island wide. I feel that Hualalai Court Affordable Workforce Housing would help to
bring that balance to the Big Island, providing a counterbalance to the development of so many
luxury, multi-million dollar projects which seem to keep springing up, particularly on the west
side of the island. We all need safe and decent shelter in order to contribute to our local
community and the well being of our ohanas reflects in the well being of our island.
Mahalo for your consideration of this project.
Sincerely,
Chris Marlett Patulski
chris.patulski@habitathawaiiiland.org Comm. 9 •
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