Property sale tax could create $2.1 million for Kauaʻi homeless

Half of the funding created would go to the state Rental Housing Revolving Fund, which subsidizes the production of affordable housing projects, including several on Kauaʻi. Another 30 percent would go to the General Fund, while 10 percent would go to the Land Conservation Fund, and 10 percent would fund homeless services and supportive housing.

Based on 2018 data, the progressive group Hawaiʻi Appleseed estimated the tax would generate $174 million for affordable housing and $34.8 million for homeless services statewide, including $2.1 million for Kauaʻi. Considering home prices have skyrocketed since then, the actual amount of funding generated would probably be greater.

Kauaʻi homeless advocate Rowena Contrades-Pangan gathered 17 houseless local people at the Hoʻomana Thrift Shop in Kapa‘a last week to testify in favor of the measure before the Senate Committee on Housing.

But the bill was deferred before the group was able to speak. Now, Contrades-Pangan and other advocates are worried the bill may be shelved until next year.