HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 234 Draft 01 2004-2006 COUNTY OF HAWAT'T STATE OF HAWAII
RESOLUTION NO. 234 06
RESOLUTION DECLARING THE PROVISION OF AFFORDABLE WORKFORCE HOUSING TO
BE A BURDEN AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI I, DESIGNATING
THE WITHIN-MENTIONED NON-PROFIT CORPORATION AS THE KEY ENTITY IN
ASSISTING THE COUNTY IN MEETING THIS BURDEN AND THEREBY LESSENING SUCH
BURDEN, AND RECOGNIZING THAT WITHOUT THIS NON-PROFIT CORPORATION THE
COUNTY ITSELF WOULD HAVE TO UNDERTAKE THE AFFORDABLE WORKFORCE HOUSING
ACTIVITIES THAT THE CORPORATION INTENDS TO CARRY OUT
WHEREAS, the leisure and hospitality industry is the largest
source of employment in the County of Hawaii and has the greatest
potential for private sector economic growth and development there;
and
WHEREAS, the economy of West Hawaii in particular is primarily
driven by the visitor or tourism industry; and
WHEREAS, hotels in West Hawaii are in need of workers, including
cooks, maintenance workers, and experienced housekeeping and sales
managers; and
WHEREAS, there is a lack of affordable housing for such workers
in West Hawaii, which has made it necessary for them to work two or
three jobs, live in overcrowded or substandard conditions and/or
commute from distances of 50 miles or more; and
WHEREAS, the lack of affordable housing in West Hawaii has made
it difficult to recruit workers from the eastern part of the island
where unemployment is higher but housing is much more affordable; and
WHEREAS, without additional affordable housing for average
workers, many employers will be unable to recruit and retain critical
employees to their organizations and thus will be unable to grow their
businesses and organizations; and
WHEREAS, Hawaii County, therefore, must take action to increase
the supply of housing that is affordable to workers in the hospitality
industry in West Hawaii in order to facilitate the future economic
development of this area and the Big Island as a whole; and
WHEREAS, Hawaii state law authorizes the counties, as well as
the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawai i, to
undertake various programs and activities for the provision of low and
moderate income housing; and
WHEREAS, the County prefers to exercise its responsibilities
through the creation cif a new non-profit corporation (the
"Corporation") that would sponsor and undertake affordable workforce
housing development, rather than by having the County itself function
as a housing developer; and
WHEREAS, the Council expects the Corporation to be governed by a
self-perpetuating board of directors that is independent of the
County, but would include some County representatives who serve as ex-
officio, non-voting members, and the Corporation would be required to
report to the County on it's activities on an annual basis.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council hereby declares
the provision of affordable workforce housing, including the housing
for workers in the hospitality industry in West Hawaii, to be a
burden and responsibility of the Hawaii County government; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council hereby designates the
Corporation as the key entity whose activities will assist the County
in meeting its burden, and thereby will lessen the County's burden;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council recognizes that, without
this Corporation, the County itself would have to undertake the
affordable workforce housing activities that the Corporation intends
to carry out.
Dated at Hilo, Hawaii, this day of 200_
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI I
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawai i
Hilo, Hawaii AYES NOES ABS EX
ARAKAKI
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by the HIGA
vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of HGFFMANN
the County of Hawaii on HOLSCHUH
A'I`TEST: IKEDA
ISBELL
JACOBSON
PILAGO
SAI ARIK
Reference C-613/Waived CHA
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRMAN & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO!Z34 ~6