HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-17 Letter to Will Espero re HB 1179 HD 2 Relating to Housing vv osx
Wil Okabe
'p ' ;,�N• Managing Director
Harry Kim •:r11� 1; .
Mayor -_-- 'T•r`
• -<_---;-_. .` ; Barbara J.Kossow
,'+'gi'A►'�� r tieit : Deputy Managing Director
•County of aatuat r
®ffirr of Mt„flavor
25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553
KONA 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.,Bldg.C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740
(808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440
March 17, 2017
Senator Will Espero, Chair
Committee on Housing
Hawai'i State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Espero and Committee members:
RE: HB 1179, HD 2
Relating to Housing
Please accept this testimony in support of HB 1179, HD 2, which is meant to help
private developers create more affordable rental housing in Hawaii.
The cost of housing has reached a point where too many of Hawaii's people are
priced out of the market. That truism is often applied to the purchase price of housing,
but the problem clearly applies to the rental market as well.
HB 1179, HD 2 offers a way in which to make a dent in the cost of construction,
which in turn will be reflected in the rental price of the constructed units. We therefore
urge passage of HB 1179 with an early effective date.
Respectfully submitted,
Agit'
ll Okabe
Managing Director
County of Hawaii
County ofHawar'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer