Maui Now tells MHProNews that among the bills in the housing package are measures to fund the Rental Housing Trust Fund, mixed income and mixed-used housing construction, incentives for landlords to provide affordable housing options, funds for Housing First and rental assistance funding.
“In 2011, a study prepared for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation noted that 50,000 new units will need to be built between 2012 and 2016 to meet the demand generated by changing demographics and economic conditions,” said Rep. Mark Hashem, chair of the House Committee on Housing.
“Given the fact that we have been woefully inadequate in meeting that demand, it’s no surprise that 40 percent of all homeless are working persons who are unable to find affordable housing,” Hashem said. “We need to lessen that gap between supply and demand and, if it takes thinking outside the box such as looking at micro housing, then let’s do that.”
“In 2014, the new housing study indicates that there is now a shortage of 64,103 homes,” added Sen. Susie Chun Oakland, chair of the Senate Committee on Human Services and Housing. “We must aggressively look at the redevelopment of public and private lands to address this growing crisis, including housing opportunities along 19 of the 21 rail stops that have state and county lands.”
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(Photo Credit: House Majority Communications)
Article submitted by Sandra Lane to – Daily Business News – MHProNews.
