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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Lingle vetoes mandate to build more affordable units

Advertiser Staff

Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday vetoed a bill that would require developers in Kaka'ako to include more affordable housing in their projects.

Two large developers, General Growth Properties and Kamehameha Schools, expect to build as many as 7,000 residential units in Kaka'ako. The developers estimate that 20 percent, or about 1,400 units, must be set aside as affordable. The bill could increase that to roughly 3,400 units or about half of all planned condominiums in their projects.

Lingle called the new mandate unrealistic and said it could discourage new affordable housing.

"Affordable housing options are scarce in Hawai'i," the governor said in a statement. "We should be passing laws that increase affordable housing options for Hawai'i's families, not limit them."

The state House and Senate are scheduled to meet in one-day veto override sessions tomorrow to consider the governor's vetoes. Two-thirds' votes in both chambers are required to override a veto.