Urging The Hawaii Housing Finance And Development Corporation To Promote Supportive Housing In The State's Low-income Housing Tax Credit Program.
The resolution calls for potential amendments to the Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) used by the HHFDC to allocate LIHTC funding. Currently, the QAP employs a point system that rewards projects serving special needs tenants, but occupancy regulations hinder the efficiency and effectiveness of this model. Proposed changes would allow for a greater flexibility in allocating supportive housing units, reducing development risks, and encouraging the construction of such units to meet the specific needs of Hawaii's populations facing homelessness or other housing instability issues.
HCR138 urges the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) to enhance the promotion of supportive housing within the state's Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. Supportive housing serves as a combination of affordable housing and access to necessary services, specifically aimed at assisting special needs populations in achieving stability and productivity. The resolution highlights previous studies indicating that supportive housing reduces reliance on emergency services and public systems, thereby yielding significant taxpayer savings while improving health outcomes and quality of life for individuals involved.
The general sentiment regarding HCR138 appears to lean positively among advocates of supportive housing. The argument that supportive housing leads to improved community welfare and reduced costs for public services resonates strongly with many stakeholders. However, some may express concern regarding the potential implementation of these changes, stressing the need for adequate oversight to ensure that supportive housing units are effectively utilized and that available units are not left vacant for prolonged periods if special needs tenants are not available.
While there is strong support for HCR138, the contention arises primarily from concerns about the feasibility of amending the QAP and whether these changes will provide an actual increase in supportive housing units. Opponents might argue that altering the unit occupancy requirements could risk diminishing the focus on special needs populations. Moreover, there are worries that the amendments could lead to complications in the administration of the LIHTC program, potentially undermining its original intent to address the housing crisis faced by low-income individuals and families in Hawaii.