HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0074.050 2024-2026 p /coLu c,i
Res.51-25
COMM.ILI
H W A 1 'I Hawaii YIMBY(Yes In My Backyard)is a volunteer-led grassroots advocacy organization
INI BY dedicated to supporting bold and effective solutions for Hawai`i's housing crisis.
hawaiiyimby.org
Hawaii County Council {-
25 Aupuni St. =t:
Hilo, HI 96720
i r•
February 5, 2025 „
RE: SUPPORT for Res. 51-25 Hualalai Court Affordable Housing Development
in Hilo, HI
Aloha Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi and Council Members,
Hawal i YIMBY would like to express our continued strong support for Hualalai Court-
364 Hualalai St. Hilo HI. This project would add 104, two- and three-bedroom, homes
for households earning 80-100% AMI. Building homes for families that fall into these
income brackets will greatly help with retaining a vibrant and diverse workforce, which is
desperately needed in Hilo and across the state. According to a recent Holomua Collective
survey of 1,500 local residents':
• 66% of respondents cited housing-related costs as the top impact on their cost
of living.
• 70% responded "yes" (26%) or "unsure" (44%)when asked if they believe that they
will need to leave Hawai`i to live in a less expensive state; and
• 46% of respondents said that their timeline to leave Hawaii would be within five
years or less.
It is abundantly clear that we are losing our local workforce because too many families
cannot find homes iiliat they can afford. These 104 homes would help address our
' Hawai`i Affordability Survey-Holomua Collective-https://holomuacollective.org/survey
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state-wide.housing shortage and stave off the outmigration of our families and loss of
critical workforce. The central location of the project is located with easy access to jobs,
schools, shopping and recreation and would promote more sustainable transportation
methods like walking, biking and public transportation.
Hawaii YIMBY is an advocacy organization dedicated to working to advance bold and
effective solutions for Hawai`i's devastating housing crisis. Our members are deeply
concerned about Hawai`i's chronic and worsening housing shortage.
Hawai`i's housing shortage has caused home prices to rise much faster than incomes and
pushes thousands of kama`aina out to the mainland or into homelessness every single
year. These effects fall disproportionately on our low-income and Native Hawaiian
communities, denying them access to opportunity and stability. Now is the time to take
action to address our housing shortage, and increase access to affordable, equitable and
sustainable homes. This project is an important step in that direction. Together, we can
build a better Hilo where our communities can thrive.
Mahalo,
Damien Waikoloa
Chapter Lead, Hawaii YIMBY
Edgardo Diaz Vega
Chapter Lead, Hawaii YIMBY
H A M!A I ' I Hawaii YIMBY(Yes In My Backyard)is a volunteer-led grassroots advocacy organization
Idedicated to supporting bold and effective solutions for Hawai'i's housing crisis.
hawaiiyimby.org
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