Senate Committee on Education and Housing (EDH) - chair: Sakamoto, vice chair: Kidani

Wednesday, February 4, 2009, Conference Room 230

Testifier: Jacqueline Parnell, President, LWV of Hawaii

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Dear Senator Sakamoto and Members of the Committee: Since money is so scarce this year, relief from regulatory regimes that add to the cost of housing is high on our agenda . This bill is contrary to that policy. It would actually extend the time allowed for review by county officials for proposed affordable housing projects. We assume this is being proposed because the counties are short of staff and do not want to hire additional people. But anything that makes the production of housing even more difficult than it already is will be counter-productive to the state and counties’ other adopted policies of supporting affordable shelter. We urge you to table this bill and concentrate on removing regulatory barriers rather than adding to them. Thank you for this opportunity to testify.