HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-01 Letter to Sylvia Luke and Ty J.K. Cullen SB 470, HD1 Relating to Homelessness
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
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KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
(808) 323-4444 Fax (808) 323-4440
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
April 1, 2019
Representative Sylvia Luke, Chair
Representative Ty J.K. Cullen, Vice Chair
Committee on Finance
Dear Chair Luke, Vice Chair Cullen, and Committee Members:
RE: SB 470, HD1 Relating to Homelessness
Your Committee previously dealt with Ohana Zones in SB 1131, SD2, HD1 and HB 257, HD2, SD1,
both of which are still alive. Now you have before you a third bill, SB 470, HD1.
We support any measure that enhances flexibility and, therefore, is most likely to provide an opportunity
to expedite the construction of appropriate housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. The Sacred
Hearts and Hale Iki emergency housing projects on the Island of Hawaiʻi are a direct result of two separate
government and private sector partnerships that led to the creation of thirty temporary housing solutions for
survivors of the recent Kilauea eruptions.
Unless there is strong reason to narrow the scope, I hope you will extend the pilot programs, and allow
broad leeway in finding locations that are suitable for developing and managing homeless services. Increased
flexibility would be a positive way of implementing the pilot projects and maximizing their potential for success.
Respectfully Submitted,
Harry Kim
MAYOR