Relating To Affordable Housing.
The impact of HB 1729 is significant as it alters the regulatory landscape for affordable housing in Hawaii. The bill exempts housing projects from various statutes, ordinances, and rules relating to planning and construction, provided certain health and safety standards are met. If counties do not act on the proposals within the ninety-day window, the projects will be deemed approved, thereby potentially accelerating housing development efforts across the state.
House Bill 1729 aims to facilitate affordable housing development in Hawaii by amending Section 201H-38 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. The bill seeks to streamline the approval process for housing projects by extending the timeframe for county legislative bodies to approve or disapprove projects. Instead of the previous forty-five days, counties will now have up to ninety days to respond to housing project proposals submitted by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC). This extended timeframe is designed to expedite the construction of affordable housing to address the pressing housing crisis in the state.
There are notable points of contention surrounding HB 1729. Critics may argue that such exemptions could undermine local government control and oversight in zoning and planning, raising concerns about the accountability of developers. Additionally, there is apprehension regarding whether such expedited processes might compromise safety or environmental standards in housing developments. Proponents, on the other hand, assert that the bill is a necessary measure to combat Hawaii's housing shortage effectively, allowing for quicker responses to housing needs without bureaucratic delays.