HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0657.009 2018-2020 Aft I
Res.q51-2,0
Comm 01
f�
January 6, 2020
RE:Testimony in support of Reso.431-20 Directing Hawaii County to Address the Island's Escalating Housing Crisis with
Urgency
Aloha Councilwoman Kierkiewicz and members of the Hawai'i County Council,
Vibrant Hawai'i is a growing community'that commits to individual and collective'auamo kuleana'to increase equitable
opportunities to build wealth: an abundant reservoir of human,social, natural and financial capital that we contribute to
and draw upon.Vibrant Hawai'i began its Pre-Planning phase in January of 2019,culminating in a community event at
the end of September that brought together nearly 200 Hawaii island residents representing education,government,
business, philanthropy,social services,faith communities and individuals.
Vibrant Hawaii is now in Phase 2: Design and Development and is convening working groups focused in the areas of
health,financial empowerment, education, economy, and housing and mobility.
In response to our community's expressed concern over the number of shelter burdened homeowners and renters on
our island, as published in the 2016 Hawai'i Housing Planning Study,Vibrant Hawaii brought together island-wide, cross
sector representatives to form the Hawaii County Housing Coalition.
The role of the Housing Coaltion is to:
• Provide a platform for collective communication and collaboration to strengthen local responses to providing
a spectrum of affordable housing options in Hawai'i County.
• Connect stakeholders for deeper understanding of barriers, integrative brainstorming of solutions,and
partnerships for action.
• Provide Leadership and Catalyst for Action. Insist with constant reminders, persist through trials and errors, and
organize for efficiency and effectiveness in order to get things done.
The Housing Coalition is utilizing data from the Hawai'i Housing Planning Study as well as the 2017 Hawaii State Housing
Plan,and learning from other counties and communities including Maui County and the Seattle Housing Coalition to
develop a policy and priorities framework.
Discussions have included members of both the legislative and executive branch of the County, and we fully support the
intent of Resolution 431-20 to encourage participation from OHCD and other County departments in developing a
cohesive approach to reducing the shelter burden for renters and homeowners on Hawaii Island.
Me 0ia'i'o,
J Ik da
Kuamo'o(Backbone)
Vibrant Hawaii
An affinity collective formed around a common vision of a thriving Hawaii Island where are people have choice,voice, and
connection. WI
(')
2 To shoulder one's human rights, responsibilities, and privileges. Comm. o '`'�
Ref. To:..P(FG
Ref.` 0�#e —