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THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
2 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
ENCOURAGING THE GOVERNOR TO ISSUE AN EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION DECLARING A STATEWIDE HOUSING CRISIS AND THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY, DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS, HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, AND HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE, MULTI-GENERATIONAL, MIXED INCOME, AND MIXED USE HOUSING.
WHEREAS, over the past several years, the issue of affordable housing has been at the forefront of people's minds due to rising home prices; and
WHEREAS, rising housing costs are also associated with increased homelessness or families at-risk of becoming homeless and, according to the 2012 Homeless Service Utilization Report, a total of 13,980 individuals statewide experienced homelessness during the 2012 fiscal year and received shelter or outreach services; furthermore, homeless service providers estimate that six thousand homeless people in the State need shelter every night; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2011 Hawaii Housing Planning Study, Hawaii has the lowest rate of homeownership in the country, some of the highest crowding rates, and close to the highest rate of homelessness; and
WHEREAS, the Hawaii Housing Planning Study found that up to 50,000 new housing units will need to be built by 2016 to meet the demand generated by changing demographics and economic conditions of the State; and
WHEREAS, according to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority annual report for fiscal year 2012, the Hawaii Public Housing Authority's public housing stock still has extensive and growing capital needs, currently estimated at $462,000,000, that continue to be underfunded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
WHEREAS, affordable housing issues affect people of varying income brackets; and
WHEREAS, many households in the State are multi-generational households, in which grandparents, parents, and children live together; and
WHEREAS, Hawaii is an island state with limited resources, making it critical to encourage sustainable building design, construction, and renovation in a manner that provides a healthier environment, reduces operating costs, and conserves energy and resources; and
WHEREAS, mixed-use housing developments that combine residential units with retail, office, and other commercial space within a single building, help create walkable, robust communities that limit sprawl and reduce transportation-related energy costs; and
WHEREAS, other jurisdictions have experienced success with developing sustainable, multi-generational, mixed income, and mixed use housing; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 128, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the Governor has broad emergency powers including the authority to issue an emergency proclamation to declare a state emergency when necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare or when necessary to maintain the strength, resources, and economic life of the community; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-seventh
Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, the House of
Representatives concurring, that the Governor is encouraged to issue an
emergency proclamation declaring a statewide housing crisis and the Hawaii
Public Housing Authority, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hawaii Housing
Finance and Development Corporation, and Hawaii Community Development Authority
are encouraged to build sustainable, multi-generational, mixed income, and
mixed use housing; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution
be transmitted to the Governor, Executive Director of the Hawaii Public Housing
Authority, Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, Executive Director of
the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, and Executive Director
of the Hawaii Community Development Authority.
Housing