Aloha Chair Johnson, Vice-Chair Molina and Members of the Affordable Housing Committee,
We have strongly supported this plan and are excited to hear more during today’s meeting. With this presentation and final plan, we hope we can quickly move forward with legislation to get needed affordable housing and rentals in the pipeline this year and swiftly reduce the backlog of desperately needed units. We are happy to continue sharing our comments as this issue moves forward. Mahalo for funding this plan and we look forward to working with you to make significant progress on this top community priority.
Sincerely,
Pamela Tumpap
President
Maui Chamber of Commerce
I"m writing to support the revision to add a 2 year durational criteria for eligibility to apply.
If the objective of the affordable housing plan is truly to decrease the number of people in our community who cannot afford to buy a home, then there needs to be durational criteria so they are not competing with people from off-island who have an interest in moving to Maui. Otherwise, unnecessary competition is being facilitated. Not to mention, our resources are already stressed with the onslaught of visitors and new transplants who have come to our island in the recent months. All the while, there are so many long-term residents that have been in need of housing on this island for too long. It should be our number one priority to help the existing community in need, before offering the housing to new residents. That’s the only way we truly can make a dent in the problem.
I absolutely support a revision to the plan that requires at least 2 years of residency to be able to apply.
A list of things to consider when putting your plan together
0- First before anything please watch the movie show “Show Me Hero”. It will change your purview. and watch this testimony from Stan, a homeless person in Maui
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10pzS-OxcGw
1- do not isolate one financial group from another when planning “communities”. This further ghettoizes people and gives drug use and other forms of toxic drama a place to thrive.
2- Please consider creating structures and support for the many many single people, older folks of modest means with empty nests and couples who will not be having children.
There is a great need for simple, safe clean reasonable rooms to let (not low income with it’s many many caveats) whereby a person may live simply and casually for a period of time as a resident, say 6 months or for as long as they like.
Rooming houses, houses that share a common kitchen with other basics that people need such as showers, wifi, laundry, etc. Many folks just need the basics.
Many would be happy with that. The old YMCA style situations were used to great benefit. not dissimilar to a youth hostel but longer term and each with their own discreet space and affordable. This was a VERY successful model during the depression and through to the 70s. It may be time to revive it.
Many folk got a leg up this way. Many were able to create simple, peaceful lives for themselves away from the stress of excess financial exigencies.
3- give real discreet space to each unit. Do not surround those spaces with common areas wher trouble can brew (see #4).
Crowding creates drama creates stress creates abuse creates calls to the police and social services etc.
4- Avoid providing common areas like hall ways and stairwells, lawns, and playgrounds.
Places were no-one has dominion, where trouble cannot be asked to leave, or where trouble can brew in privacy and no-one has oversight.
They are hard for police to monitor (if they care to) and create potential danger to children and vulnerable adults.
Build neighborhood parks instead off property that the county or state sees to, but no common areas on site around units.
5- Work toward legalizing the use of (legal/working) cars/vans (for the registered owner/s only) as domiciles.
Legalize and provide- don’t chastise and deride.
Build facilities and support structures whereby those living on 4 wheels can pay for services per use, or by subscription, that a domiciled person would not think of as lacking. Ie, showers, laundry, common kitchen, safe place to park at night, get out of the rain or weather, wi-fi, business/work areas for day use, telephones, storage lockers, fellowship without feeling demoralized or being treated as a less-than.
This will facilitate being able to work, get jobs, having a place to prepare and look for one and to stay clean and healthy, to be able to show up fresh and ready for work, stoked for it.
We have business and creative “incubators”, why not quality of life enhancement incubators, or social currency incubators.
This is one of the biggest hurdles facing Maui and All of Hawaii and indeed all the states. Many folk are simply priced out of the market and had jobs before losing their places to live. They have still have some resources and revenue streams or would if they had such a place as this to prepare for a day’s work or work from in they are remote workers. Starbucks and the library have been a big set back for some.
6- use renewable building materials and architecture that will allow for the most natural airflow-minimum air con use. Be ecological in the planning stage. Solar hard baked into the structures wiring etc. many smaller structures have better air flow (and fewer noise complaints), smaller eco foot print than larger beehive crowding.
Affordable Housing Committee, reviewing this 264 page report, I believe you may have overlooked three critical assumptions that render this study irrelevant. Item 1: On page 12 you list the team members contributing to the report with only ONE "contractor"; this person could not be verified by name given in the report. Further, where are the developers contributing to this plan? I would like to know if any team member has contributed any funds - even one dollar - to the housing and/or development on Maui, outside of their primary residence. My guess is that the answer is none. Item 2: Page 20 includes assumptions. Sadly, you are missing the biggest assumption of all: that Maui County Council actually WANTS to contribute to solve the housing problem. Based on my years as a part of a general contractor duo, a commercial and residential developer, and as an active construction industry supporter, I see the Council saying words that get them elected which include "affordable housing". However, when it comes to action, you will see that this now re-elected council is actual negative in the housing it is providing. The omitted assumption of Council support is quite critical. Item 3: Page 61 is the action plan for moving forward in the first year on this plan. Unfortunately, in the first 30 days is a review with Council to find "areas of consensus". Let me help you with this one: there are none.
At over $1,000 per page of this report, there are many assumptions that the housing problem will be solved sometime soon. Unfortunately, the conversation is one sided. Community groups such as Maui Chamber of Commerce including the Construction Industry of Maui, among others, are waiting to discuss with not only Council - with anyone - who want to promote trades on Maui. This will keep Maui's youth employed right here on Maui.
As a former candidate for the Maui Planning Commission, I have seen first hand the fear of developers and contractors like me. Unfortunately it is people like me - who provide long term housing on Maui every single day - who are the very ones to put this plan in action. I read this report and shake my head. The County just paid for this incredible comprehensive plan which, quite frankly, is not needed. Doug Spencer told Council about a decade ago how to solve the housing problem. I truly believe if Maui County Council wanted this problem solved, they would do it. They pay for plans like this to get them re-elected. This plan is not feasible because Council will never buy in.
I am submitting this testimony on behalf of the REALTORS Association of Maui (RAM) and our many members in general support of the Maui County Comprehensive Affordable Housing Plan. RAM has spent years advocating for policies like Individual Development Accounts, adaptive reuse of commercial structures, community land trust housing expansion, streamlined development standards, and increased County investment in infrastructure, and we are pleased to see these policies included in the plan. Therefore, we maintain our support for these policies, as well as the majority of the other goals and policies outlined in the plan.
Notwithstanding, RAM also recognizes that some of the goals and strategies outlined in this plan may be difficult, or even impossible, to effectuate in the desired timeline or manner proposed. Though that may be the case, I urge this Committee not to use that as an excuse to disregard the plan as a whole. This community has seen too many “affordable housing plans” result in nothing over the last decade, and we don’t want to see that again. If done properly, even partial implementation of the proposed plan could result in a large increase of affordable housing inventory for Maui residents, and that is worth striving for. I encourage the Committee to be thoughtful and flexible in your approach to the policies that you ultimately adopt from this plan, and please be open to streamlining the process of project approvals.
Mahalo,
Jason A. Economou
Government Affairs Director
REALTORS Association of Maui
I fully support the revisions to the Affordable Housing Project proposed by the Hawaiian Community Assets. Requiring applicants to have lived on Maui for at least 2 years helps ensure that this opportunity will be available to longer term Hawaii residents rather than anyone who arrives on the island.
The Affordable Housing Project caught my eye due the scope of the project. In particular what I wanted to understand is the safeguards which have been set for eligibility to purchase the affordable housing, to ensure Maui Residents are the actual party benefitting from the project
Unfortunately, the existing ordinance does raise a red flag for me Most of the criteria listed in the ordinance opens the Affordable Housing Project up to just about anyone who arrives in Maui. This does not appear to be for the benefit of long time and existing residents. The existing ordinance seems to address workforce housing and expansion, not caretaking our own Ohana, and preserving the island resources we are rapidly depleting.
Most residents don’t know about the ordinance . They are just looking at headlines -Affordable Housing Project-(which we do need), they are assuming safeguards are in place. We the residents, who have been living on Maui and our Ohana will benefit, but please protect that opportunity. Ensure this project has integrity in its purpose and is not misused to import more people at a time when we need to be putting on the breaks and re-evaluating our path forward. It is imperative to recognize how the existing ordinance could be manipulated, and misused. I am glad I was concerned enough to ask the right questions , and I have the opportunity to voice my views. My request, move forward with great awareness of the responsibility of protecting the Island and consider the quality of life of all of the existing Ohana here.
I ask you to take up the Recommendation at the end of appendix G to change the definition of “Qualified Resident” update county ordinance 2.96,2.97,3.35 and other applicable affordable housing policies for for-sale programs only, with the following definition for a “Qualified Resident”.
A “Qualified Resident” is defined as a person who currently resides or is employed within the County of Maui, for a period of at least 2 years prior to filing of an Application for an Affordable Housing Unit, with documentation , including but not limited to , three years of filed income tax returns, W2’s, or benefits, statements confirming residency or employment within the County of Maui , with at least 75% of a residents income generated within the County.
Mahalo Maui County Council for the opportunity to share my views, at a critical juncture.
Best,
Liz McGain
Aloha Chair Johnson, Vice-Chair Molina and Members of the Affordable Housing Committee,
We have strongly supported this plan and are excited to hear more during today’s meeting. With this presentation and final plan, we hope we can quickly move forward with legislation to get needed affordable housing and rentals in the pipeline this year and swiftly reduce the backlog of desperately needed units. We are happy to continue sharing our comments as this issue moves forward. Mahalo for funding this plan and we look forward to working with you to make significant progress on this top community priority.
Sincerely,
Pamela Tumpap
President
Maui Chamber of Commerce
Hello
I"m writing to support the revision to add a 2 year durational criteria for eligibility to apply.
If the objective of the affordable housing plan is truly to decrease the number of people in our community who cannot afford to buy a home, then there needs to be durational criteria so they are not competing with people from off-island who have an interest in moving to Maui. Otherwise, unnecessary competition is being facilitated. Not to mention, our resources are already stressed with the onslaught of visitors and new transplants who have come to our island in the recent months. All the while, there are so many long-term residents that have been in need of housing on this island for too long. It should be our number one priority to help the existing community in need, before offering the housing to new residents. That’s the only way we truly can make a dent in the problem.
I absolutely support a revision to the plan that requires at least 2 years of residency to be able to apply.
Attached please find testimony from the Hawaii Community Foundation.
A list of things to consider when putting your plan together
0- First before anything please watch the movie show “Show Me Hero”. It will change your purview. and watch this testimony from Stan, a homeless person in Maui
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10pzS-OxcGw
1- do not isolate one financial group from another when planning “communities”. This further ghettoizes people and gives drug use and other forms of toxic drama a place to thrive.
2- Please consider creating structures and support for the many many single people, older folks of modest means with empty nests and couples who will not be having children.
There is a great need for simple, safe clean reasonable rooms to let (not low income with it’s many many caveats) whereby a person may live simply and casually for a period of time as a resident, say 6 months or for as long as they like.
Rooming houses, houses that share a common kitchen with other basics that people need such as showers, wifi, laundry, etc. Many folks just need the basics.
Many would be happy with that. The old YMCA style situations were used to great benefit. not dissimilar to a youth hostel but longer term and each with their own discreet space and affordable. This was a VERY successful model during the depression and through to the 70s. It may be time to revive it.
Many folk got a leg up this way. Many were able to create simple, peaceful lives for themselves away from the stress of excess financial exigencies.
3- give real discreet space to each unit. Do not surround those spaces with common areas wher trouble can brew (see #4).
Crowding creates drama creates stress creates abuse creates calls to the police and social services etc.
4- Avoid providing common areas like hall ways and stairwells, lawns, and playgrounds.
Places were no-one has dominion, where trouble cannot be asked to leave, or where trouble can brew in privacy and no-one has oversight.
They are hard for police to monitor (if they care to) and create potential danger to children and vulnerable adults.
Build neighborhood parks instead off property that the county or state sees to, but no common areas on site around units.
5- Work toward legalizing the use of (legal/working) cars/vans (for the registered owner/s only) as domiciles.
Legalize and provide- don’t chastise and deride.
Build facilities and support structures whereby those living on 4 wheels can pay for services per use, or by subscription, that a domiciled person would not think of as lacking. Ie, showers, laundry, common kitchen, safe place to park at night, get out of the rain or weather, wi-fi, business/work areas for day use, telephones, storage lockers, fellowship without feeling demoralized or being treated as a less-than.
This will facilitate being able to work, get jobs, having a place to prepare and look for one and to stay clean and healthy, to be able to show up fresh and ready for work, stoked for it.
We have business and creative “incubators”, why not quality of life enhancement incubators, or social currency incubators.
This is one of the biggest hurdles facing Maui and All of Hawaii and indeed all the states. Many folk are simply priced out of the market and had jobs before losing their places to live. They have still have some resources and revenue streams or would if they had such a place as this to prepare for a day’s work or work from in they are remote workers. Starbucks and the library have been a big set back for some.
6- use renewable building materials and architecture that will allow for the most natural airflow-minimum air con use. Be ecological in the planning stage. Solar hard baked into the structures wiring etc. many smaller structures have better air flow (and fewer noise complaints), smaller eco foot print than larger beehive crowding.
There’s my 6¢! thanks for reading this far
Affordable Housing Committee, reviewing this 264 page report, I believe you may have overlooked three critical assumptions that render this study irrelevant. Item 1: On page 12 you list the team members contributing to the report with only ONE "contractor"; this person could not be verified by name given in the report. Further, where are the developers contributing to this plan? I would like to know if any team member has contributed any funds - even one dollar - to the housing and/or development on Maui, outside of their primary residence. My guess is that the answer is none. Item 2: Page 20 includes assumptions. Sadly, you are missing the biggest assumption of all: that Maui County Council actually WANTS to contribute to solve the housing problem. Based on my years as a part of a general contractor duo, a commercial and residential developer, and as an active construction industry supporter, I see the Council saying words that get them elected which include "affordable housing". However, when it comes to action, you will see that this now re-elected council is actual negative in the housing it is providing. The omitted assumption of Council support is quite critical. Item 3: Page 61 is the action plan for moving forward in the first year on this plan. Unfortunately, in the first 30 days is a review with Council to find "areas of consensus". Let me help you with this one: there are none.
At over $1,000 per page of this report, there are many assumptions that the housing problem will be solved sometime soon. Unfortunately, the conversation is one sided. Community groups such as Maui Chamber of Commerce including the Construction Industry of Maui, among others, are waiting to discuss with not only Council - with anyone - who want to promote trades on Maui. This will keep Maui's youth employed right here on Maui.
As a former candidate for the Maui Planning Commission, I have seen first hand the fear of developers and contractors like me. Unfortunately it is people like me - who provide long term housing on Maui every single day - who are the very ones to put this plan in action. I read this report and shake my head. The County just paid for this incredible comprehensive plan which, quite frankly, is not needed. Doug Spencer told Council about a decade ago how to solve the housing problem. I truly believe if Maui County Council wanted this problem solved, they would do it. They pay for plans like this to get them re-elected. This plan is not feasible because Council will never buy in.
Aloha Chair Johnson and Committee Members,
I am submitting this testimony on behalf of the REALTORS Association of Maui (RAM) and our many members in general support of the Maui County Comprehensive Affordable Housing Plan. RAM has spent years advocating for policies like Individual Development Accounts, adaptive reuse of commercial structures, community land trust housing expansion, streamlined development standards, and increased County investment in infrastructure, and we are pleased to see these policies included in the plan. Therefore, we maintain our support for these policies, as well as the majority of the other goals and policies outlined in the plan.
Notwithstanding, RAM also recognizes that some of the goals and strategies outlined in this plan may be difficult, or even impossible, to effectuate in the desired timeline or manner proposed. Though that may be the case, I urge this Committee not to use that as an excuse to disregard the plan as a whole. This community has seen too many “affordable housing plans” result in nothing over the last decade, and we don’t want to see that again. If done properly, even partial implementation of the proposed plan could result in a large increase of affordable housing inventory for Maui residents, and that is worth striving for. I encourage the Committee to be thoughtful and flexible in your approach to the policies that you ultimately adopt from this plan, and please be open to streamlining the process of project approvals.
Mahalo,
Jason A. Economou
Government Affairs Director
REALTORS Association of Maui
I fully support the revisions to the Affordable Housing Project proposed by the Hawaiian Community Assets. Requiring applicants to have lived on Maui for at least 2 years helps ensure that this opportunity will be available to longer term Hawaii residents rather than anyone who arrives on the island.
Aloha Maui County Council Members,
The Affordable Housing Project caught my eye due the scope of the project. In particular what I wanted to understand is the safeguards which have been set for eligibility to purchase the affordable housing, to ensure Maui Residents are the actual party benefitting from the project
Unfortunately, the existing ordinance does raise a red flag for me Most of the criteria listed in the ordinance opens the Affordable Housing Project up to just about anyone who arrives in Maui. This does not appear to be for the benefit of long time and existing residents. The existing ordinance seems to address workforce housing and expansion, not caretaking our own Ohana, and preserving the island resources we are rapidly depleting.
Most residents don’t know about the ordinance . They are just looking at headlines -Affordable Housing Project-(which we do need), they are assuming safeguards are in place. We the residents, who have been living on Maui and our Ohana will benefit, but please protect that opportunity. Ensure this project has integrity in its purpose and is not misused to import more people at a time when we need to be putting on the breaks and re-evaluating our path forward. It is imperative to recognize how the existing ordinance could be manipulated, and misused. I am glad I was concerned enough to ask the right questions , and I have the opportunity to voice my views. My request, move forward with great awareness of the responsibility of protecting the Island and consider the quality of life of all of the existing Ohana here.
I ask you to take up the Recommendation at the end of appendix G to change the definition of “Qualified Resident” update county ordinance 2.96,2.97,3.35 and other applicable affordable housing policies for for-sale programs only, with the following definition for a “Qualified Resident”.
A “Qualified Resident” is defined as a person who currently resides or is employed within the County of Maui, for a period of at least 2 years prior to filing of an Application for an Affordable Housing Unit, with documentation , including but not limited to , three years of filed income tax returns, W2’s, or benefits, statements confirming residency or employment within the County of Maui , with at least 75% of a residents income generated within the County.
Mahalo Maui County Council for the opportunity to share my views, at a critical juncture.
Best,
Liz McGain