December, 1980 |
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President's Message (Barbara Farwell) Lunch with Archibald Cox General Meeting Fair Housing Bill Dead Program Committee to Meet Thank You, Thank You, Thank You... What Makes the City Run? DHCD (Astrid Monson) Housing Coalition Consumer and Housing (Vi Gren) Potpourri of Women's Issues From National January Units League Looks at Kakaako Membership Calendar |
What Makes the City Run?THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Inflated housing prices and unprecedentedly high interest rates have priced the majority of island families out of the private housing market. Estimates indicate that some 80,000 low to moderate cost housing units are needed to meet Oahu's present and anticipated needs to the year 2000 -- an average of 4,000 a year. Four hundred or fewer such units are currently being built annually. Various Federal, State and City programs are available to help meet the need, and the City's Department of Housing and Community Development is the implementing agency at the city level. The DHCD, established in 1975 as a line agency, replaced the Honolulu Redevelopment Agency which had been responsible for such projects as Queen Emma Gardens, Kukui Gardens, and Kukui Plaza. DHCD is empowered by Charter to "develop and administer projects, programs, and plans of action to stimulate or aid the supply of housing in the city, provided that such projects, programs, and plans of action conform to and implement the general plan and development plans." It is also authorized to act as the local agency to implement federally-aided housing, urban renewal and community development projects. The city has developed 22 projects since 1968 with a total of 4,310 dwelling units. Of these 3,162 units (2,481 low-mod) are downtown, with the remaining 1,148 (all low-mod) scattered in many parts of the island. Three more projects with 408 low-mod units are to be completed by the end of 1981 in Kahuku, Haleiwa, and Chinatown, and two more with 253 units are in planning -- one at Smith-Beretania and the other, rehabilitation of a city-owned apartment building in Chinatown. DHCD's activities have included:
DHCD uses the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) definition of "low-moderate" income as no more than 80% of the median income in a community. Currently the median is about $23,300 for a family of four, with 80% amounting to $18,640. "Gap group" housing, such as that for which "Hula Mae" tax=exempt revenue bonds are used, is generally for families with 80% to 120% of the median income. Above that, unassisted market housing is supposed to be available. DHCD is currently requesting proposals from consultants for a study to locate suitable and potentially available sites for assisted housing. The study will also seek ways to secure neighborhood participation and reactions to the use of such sites. The Dept is proposing a "fair share" policy for the location of new housing projects, under which no one neighborhood would feel that a disproportionate amount of such housing was going into its area. Affordable housing is one of the most important issues facing Oahu and the State. DHCD and the State housing agencies have their work cut out for them! Astrid Monson |
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