Requesting That The Department Of Hawaiian Home Lands Implement Programs To Support Very Low Income Native Hawaiian Beneficiaries.
If implemented, the resolutions would prompt the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to consider several innovative solutions to alleviate the housing crisis for very low-income Native Hawaiians. These potential measures include the introduction of flexible ninety-nine-year leases for beneficiaries to live in temporary structures, a community-style living arrangement similar to successful models already in place, and assistance for those who have waited more than five years for housing to manage land tax responsibilities effectively. Such initiatives aim to foster immediate relief while waiting for more permanent housing solutions to materialize.
House Resolution 57 (HR57) seeks to address the significant challenges faced by very low-income Native Hawaiian beneficiaries in seeking housing. The resolution highlights the growing waitlist for residential and farming homesteads, which stood at approximately 28,000 individuals in 2019 and has reportedly resulted in the deaths of over two thousand Native Hawaiians while awaiting housing. The resolution emphasizes the urgent need for effective programs to assist these beneficiaries, particularly in light of Hawaii's high homeless rate and the compounded difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exacerbated financial strains on many families.
While the resolution calls for support for a vulnerable population, it could also be subject to contention regarding the methods proposed for implementation. Critics might question the feasibility of off-grid living solutions and temporary structures, as well as the potential impacts on local communities and zoning ordinances. Furthermore, the long-standing issue of waitlisted candidates without adequate housing poses systemic challenges that the resolution will need to confront, including budgetary implications and resource allocation for the necessary programs.