HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0657.019 2018-2020 COUNTY CLE
COUNTY OF RAWAIII Cow. 7
RECEIVED
From: Brandee Menino Time
To: Council Testimony
Cc: Kierkiewicz Ashley Date 41214
Subject: Strongly support Resolution 431-20
Date: Monday,January 06,2020 11:44:47 PM I
Hearing: Resolution 431-20 in support
Date: January 7, 2019
Location: Hawaii County Council Chambers
Aloha Honorable Council Chairman Aaron Chung and fellow County Council members:
Sorry for the delay in my written testimony and absence at tomorrow's hearing as I am
presenting at a Homelessness Summit at our State Capitol at the same time.
I am submitting testimony on behalf of HOPE Services Hawaii, a non-profit organization
working to end homelessness in our community. We strongly support Resolution 431-20,
which would direct the county to address the increasingly urgent affordable housing crisis.
I cannot stress this fact enough: 55% of our community is made up of ALICE households.
ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited,Income Constrained, Employed—households that
earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but less than the basic cost of living for the county
(the ALICE Threshold). This number is expected to grow, but we have the ability to halt and
reverse that process, by intentionally putting county resources into a real plan.
The current minimum wage in Hawai'i is $10.10 per hour, which means that those who work
full time at minimum wage can afford$525 a month in housing costs, according to HUD
guidelines. However,the fair market rent for a 2 bedroom apartment in our county is $1,346.
Single mothers, who are disproportionately ALICE, and who lead 57% of families
experiencing homelesssness in our county are struggling to keep their `Ohana in housing.
For too long, our county has been without a plan to increase affordable housing options in the
rental market as well as homeownership opportunities. The cost of housing is rising and
families and local residents in our community are finding housing out of reach.
We have an opportunity before us to engage in frank discussions about how to organize
and leverage county resources with Federal, State, philanthropic, private, non-profit and
faith partners. Our county can make a greater impact to mitigate the devastating
impacts of homelessness and housing insecurity by implementing Councilwoman
Kierkiewicz's suggestions listed in Resolution 431-20.
The most vulnerable members of our community are in crisis, and many more families barely
making ends meet. We must prioritize affordable housing for our families in our community.
Therefore, I strongly urge your support of Resolution 431-20. . E4
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Mahalo nui for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Brandee Menino, Chief Executive Officer