08-02-2020, 07:25 PM
https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2020/08/...-loophole/
Two of the most challenging socioeconomic issues our community faces are the high cost of living and lack of affordable housing. These are the same two reasons why our residents leave the state. Pacific Resource Partnership (PRP) remains steadfast in its support for policies that incentivize the construction of more affordable housing units and create jobs that pay a “living wage” to enhance the quality of life for all residents of Hawaii.
“Appendix L” of Bill 179 relating to factory-built housing (FBH) has been the topic of much discussion during meetings at the County Council. FBH is built within a factory using automated tools and a smaller labor force than on-site construction. Appendix L has received additional scrutiny during County Council meetings because it allows the FBH homebuilder to bypass standard permitting and inspection requirements during the manufacturing process that must be complied with for any other building or structure. Two important questions should be asked: Why is the building code currently written to provide special policies for FBH? And aren’t the standard requirements important to ensure the quality and safety of the home?
The automated process of FBH will take away jobs from traditional homebuilders; good-paying jobs that are keeping local carpenters, plumbers and electricians employed.
So ... how is "the public" expected to afford "traditional homebuilders" so we can create those "good-paying jobs"? The wood-fired power plant at Honua Ola raises the same question: everyone should pay higher utility rates so that a few can have those "good-paying local jobs"? Maybe these carpenters should just go work for County already.
Two of the most challenging socioeconomic issues our community faces are the high cost of living and lack of affordable housing. These are the same two reasons why our residents leave the state. Pacific Resource Partnership (PRP) remains steadfast in its support for policies that incentivize the construction of more affordable housing units and create jobs that pay a “living wage” to enhance the quality of life for all residents of Hawaii.
“Appendix L” of Bill 179 relating to factory-built housing (FBH) has been the topic of much discussion during meetings at the County Council. FBH is built within a factory using automated tools and a smaller labor force than on-site construction. Appendix L has received additional scrutiny during County Council meetings because it allows the FBH homebuilder to bypass standard permitting and inspection requirements during the manufacturing process that must be complied with for any other building or structure. Two important questions should be asked: Why is the building code currently written to provide special policies for FBH? And aren’t the standard requirements important to ensure the quality and safety of the home?
The automated process of FBH will take away jobs from traditional homebuilders; good-paying jobs that are keeping local carpenters, plumbers and electricians employed.
So ... how is "the public" expected to afford "traditional homebuilders" so we can create those "good-paying jobs"? The wood-fired power plant at Honua Ola raises the same question: everyone should pay higher utility rates so that a few can have those "good-paying local jobs"? Maybe these carpenters should just go work for County already.