HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0657.016 2018-2020 i
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII ra57
RECEIVED
From: By_u4t
Richard A Wheelock i
To: Council Testimonv
Subject: Comments on Reso.431-20 Date ®'
Date: Monday,January 06,2020 11:57:15 AM
County of Hawaii County Council: In regards to the Resolution 431-20 (proposed) as a private sector
participant in housing development since 1986, 1 strongly support the goals of this Resolution,
particularly in establishing a Public/Private agency(Hawaii County Housing Coalition) to bring all
parties together early in planning and processing plans for affordable housing in Hawaii County and
in establishing a Housing Fund to help finance affordable housing development.
During my decades of experience on Hawaii island, the development process has consistently taken
more and more time, and the regulatory hurdles have become more and more complex,sometimes
overlapping. It is now not unusual at all for a re-zoning application to take 3-4 years to complete, and
approvals for infrastructure plans and a building permit can take a year or more. Many reasons are
beyond the County's ability to cope with, but some reasons are addressable by the
County. In concert with public sector input and co-ordination with the agencies, I believe this
timeframe can be shortened to help alleviate what is now a crisis situation.
In regards to the funding mechanism, if possible this would help the developers of affordable
housing greatly as the capital stack required for affordable housing is complex and very,very tight.
The State's fund for providing equity for affordable housing has proven very effective and helpful in
this regard, and if the
County can assist in this particular aspect of the financial needs of the industry it would be most
helpful.
Thank you,
Richard Wheelock
Richard A Wheelock, R CUM
1188 Bishop Street,Suite 711
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813-4112
Phone: (808) 599-5720 Ofc (808) 753-3167 Cell
E-Mail: Richard@ EastWestRealty.org
Comm. No. 1 .
Ref. To: VIFG
Ref. Date JAN - 7 2020