As I am sure you already know, Kaua’i has a serious housing problem. Not only for the average homebuyer that is unable to purchase affordable housing, but also renters (typically middle class and lower income earners) to maintain suitable, affordable housing without being at the constant whim of Landlords or subject to housing that is not maintained and or properly cared for.  For many people, the current cost of a home or apartment can cost the average family in Hawai'i around and in most cases above 45% of their monthly income.  Families are struggling to get by, having to work at least 2 sometimes 3 jobs, while wealthy investors (many not even being residents) are continuously allowed to purchase multiple properties in order to rent out to local residents and make a profit.  In turn, residents receive inadequate housing at an extremely high cost; containing holes in the walls, water leaks, cockroach/rat infestations, and sewage problems just to name a few.  Landlords are able to purchase these “investment” properties which have usually been foreclosed and have numerous structural and cosmetic damages in which the tenant is then left with the results of subpar repairs, usually done at a discounted price (at times by unlicensed contractors), and in a hurried and half-assed fashion.  What we are left with is overflowing toilets and back ups, multiple days of no hot water, in some cases no water at all, bug/rodent infestations, unsafe living conditions and other hazards that would never be acceptable at the Landlord’s own personal property.  This is not an equal structure and I am proposing that all potential or current Landlords and Investors looking to purchase homes in addition to the one they reside in, will need to live on that property for at least one (1) year or until all necessary, suitable repairs are made and are up to the Landlords own personal standard of living or at least a general consensus standard.  Kaua’i desperately needs regulation on this issue and I am suggesting this to be an option in helping to address a portion of the housing crisis as well.  

If we can limit the amount of people looking to purchase multiple properties simply for a profit, then we may be able to begin leveling the playing field for local residents by allowing the opportunity to purchase a home without the potential of being outbid by wealthy investors.  I believe this would deter a lot of potential investment buyers who have no intentions of actually living on the property themselves, from buying/flipping them (quickly, haphazardly and inefficiently) and then renting them out to residents for a highly inflated rate with the only intention being to create an extra stream of income. I feel this will also make many of Kauai's Landlords more accountable for the dismal conditions many tenants are subjected to on a daily basis.  I believe this is now becoming a human rights issue as we are all entitled to fair housing and decent living conditions.  

Please sign this petition so I may present this to our county and state officials in order to bring about more awareness.  Your support is greatly appreciated!!