I am in support of Bill 147, but have a few concerns regarding the price of the rentals that these land owners are charging who are taking advantage of these exemptions. If the owners/landlords are receiving a substantial tax break for their rental units, then how are the tenants benefitting from this? Most rentals average $4000-$8000 per month, exceeding most tenants' incomes, as well as creating an even greater hardship for those that do not qualify for any rental assistance (in and out of the burn zone). I'm concerned that the exemptions are supposed to help the land owners, but would like to think that the savings are then passed on to the tenants. This is not happening to the mass majority of tenants.
Also, Section 5. Ch 3.48.551 Section B reads: "...to lease for a term of at least an individual who was directly displaced by the August 2023 Maui wildfires, without evicting a prior long-term tenant...". This condition has not been enforced effectively as we know of many tenants that were wrongfully evicted under duress and had nowhere else to go. How is the County enforcing this condition? And who do they need to contact to ensure that this exemption cannot be used by those who are violating it?
I am in support of Bill 147, but have a few concerns regarding the price of the rentals that these land owners are charging who are taking advantage of these exemptions. If the owners/landlords are receiving a substantial tax break for their rental units, then how are the tenants benefitting from this? Most rentals average $4000-$8000 per month, exceeding most tenants' incomes, as well as creating an even greater hardship for those that do not qualify for any rental assistance (in and out of the burn zone). I'm concerned that the exemptions are supposed to help the land owners, but would like to think that the savings are then passed on to the tenants. This is not happening to the mass majority of tenants.
Also, Section 5. Ch 3.48.551 Section B reads: "...to lease for a term of at least an individual who was directly displaced by the August 2023 Maui wildfires, without evicting a prior long-term tenant...". This condition has not been enforced effectively as we know of many tenants that were wrongfully evicted under duress and had nowhere else to go. How is the County enforcing this condition? And who do they need to contact to ensure that this exemption cannot be used by those who are violating it?
Mahalo.
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