There is good news, bad news and more good news.
The good news is that Kaua‘i County Councilmember Luke Evslin and Council Vice Chair Mason Chock are giving it another go. Undeterred by being shut down in a previous 4-3 council vote, they have re-configured and resubmitted a two-part proposal to generate much-needed dedicated funding for affordable housing.
This is actually how it’s supposed to work. They listened to the concerns of their colleagues, adapted the proposal to alleviate those concerns, and are putting it once more on the table — hopefully, this time, achieving unanimous support from all seven councilmembers.
The proposal is in two parts, with each part standing on its own — yet related in concept and implementation.
There is Resolution No. 2022-22, and Bill No. 2872.
Resolution 2022-22 proposes a charter amendment requiring a minimum of 2% of real-property-tax revenues be dedicated for affordable housing. If the resolution is passed by the council a question will be placed on the ballot, stating, “Shall two percent (2%) of real-property-tax revenues be earmarked for the purpose of affordable housing?”
The decision will then be left up to voters on Nov. 8.
Our friends and neighbors are getting priced out of their rentals with literally nowhere to go. Our homeless shelters are all full and every affordable public-housing project has a waiting list.
The dedicated funding source being proposed will allow the county to invest in much-needed infrastructure improvements (sewer and water). At the moment, if an affordable-housing developer seeks to partner with the county on a project, the answer is “we need to wait and see if we can find the funds.” With a dedicated fund, the County Housing Agency can proactively seek out partnerships and opportunities.
Voters in Maui County have approved a 3% fund similarly dedicated toward affordable housing. Voters in Honolulu will be considering a proposal in November to increase their existing fund from 0.5% to 1%.
Why wouldn’t the Kauai County Council approve letting Kaua‘i voters choose to have this same option at 2%?
Bill 2872 is related but independent. When/if the charter amendment passes, Bill 2872 can be used as a funding mechanism to generate the 2% that is needed for affordable housing. If for some reason the charter amendment does not pass, Bill 2872 can still be used as a funding mechanism to generate funds for affordable housing and/or other purposes.
It’s important to note that Bill 2872 does not increase taxes. It simply creates a “three-tiered” system to allow the council, should they choose to do so in the future, to adjust the tax rate of properties that are not owner-occupied and/or not rented long-term.
Basic translation: Bill 2872 if passed would allow the county to charge vacant investor-owned homes valued at $3 million to $20 million or more, a higher rate than a home with a similar use valued at $1 million or less.
The actual proposed tiers:
w Tier 1: Up to $1 million dollars;
w Tier 2: In excess of $1 million dollars up to $3 million;
w Tier 3: In excess of $3 million.
Makes perfect sense. Bill 2872 does not increase taxes, but only increases the options and flexibility available to the county when evaluating future tax decisions.
But yes, there is some bad news.
The bad news is that both of these measures are scheduled for 8:30 this morning, June 15, and so if you are/were going to submit testimony to counciltestimony@kauai.gov, you best hurry up!
The other good news is you can and should, email ALL councilmembers even after this deadline has passed, as there will be other hearings and other votes. Please share your thoughts and encourage their support of both Resolution 2022-22 and Bill 2872, via email at councilmembers@kauai.gov.
Of course, if you are someone who owns a second or third home that you leave vacant or rent short-term to tourists on vacation, perhaps you might feel differently. You, of course, are also welcome to share your thoughts with the council as well.
This is what democracy looks like.
To view the council meeting or meeting archives, visit kauai.gov/webcastmeetings.
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Gary Hooser is the former vice-chair of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and served eight years in the state Senate, where he was majority leader. He also served for eight years on the Kaua‘i County Council, and was the former director of the state Office of Environmental Quality Control. He serves in a volunteer capacity as board president of the Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action and is executive director of the Pono Hawai‘i Initiative.
Gary:
People like you only understand one thing…a problem? Throw taxpayer money at it. Well, it has not worked in the past and will not alleviate the “affordable housing” problem now or in the future.
Only one thing will do that. First, though all the political cronies will have to wake up to the hard reality that they are at the heart of the problem. They are the ones to blame (along with their “environmental” buddies). How?
Irrational and repressive land-use laws and zoning restrictions have reduced the available supply of modest sized building lots. The IAL (important agricultural lands) initiative made it immeasurably worse. Besides who among those looking for a place to live would prefer to be a farmer? The result is less housing built and in the face of growing demand rapidly increasing prices. Any rational person thinking about this should be able to “get it”. The problem is that the political types (and you too Gary) making the laws, regulations and rules refuse to accept responsibility for THEIR actions and policies.
So Gary, you can whine and lament all you want, but NOTHING will change until these onerous anti-private property policies are revoked. Twenty years from now we’ll be treated to the same lame song and dance.
RSW
RSW: So your solution is to allow unbridled development in “modest sized building lots”? Basically, you want Kauai to become like Oahu, overcrowded and more urban. Thank goodness we have restrictive zoning laws keeping Kauai semi-rural with large Ag land zoning. We don’t have the infrastructure to handle more homes, more people, and more cars. Keep Kauai rural!
Gary:
The housing problem, roads, drugs are not the result of over tourism. Lack of vision, leadership and stuck in the 70-80’s mind set are all a result of electing the same folks year after year.
I would love to debate such a ignorant person as its your policies from when you where on council that has led Kauai into a abyss. Had Kauai had the vision to relaize that 80% of the open land has been purchased by billionaires to hold on to for decades was only going to lead to a desturctive end.
Now you just charge up the public using trhe same old message, until Kauai gets real about its housing problem and builds a couple 10 story sturctures in Lihue the problem will continue for decades.
Tax the hell out of the billionaire land owners that have purchased and monopolized over 80% of the total land mass on Kauai. Some of this open space would be ideal for future low cost housing.
The council has to have the guts to take back some of the AG land that should have never been allowed. The reality of the early days when plantation owners purchased the land from the king for nothing, is placing a strangle hold on every citizen of Kauai. The prblems that have impacted Kauai for 30 years cannot be fixed until zoning and a new tax class on AG land on large parcels of 100 or more acres.
The voters of Kauai need to vote on retaking their land from the billionaires, that dont contribute to the problems Kauai has. Tell your council person to place this on the ballot and secure Kauai future.
Gary do some good, sponsor a young local family that needs help with a down payement to buy a condo. Providing families with low interest down payment loans to get them going is a great way for you to help with housing!
RSW… l think you should send a copy of your comment to the likes of the Mayor and all council members as well.. they will all receive an education of reality. they should never under estimate what the” power of grey” really means Professor