THE SENATE S.B. NO. 2372 THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 S.D. 1 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
THE SENATE S.B. NO. 2372
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
2372
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the biggest expense for any individual or family is the cost of housing or shelter. Within the last decade, it has become increasingly difficult for individuals and families to save for a down payment on a home or pay their mortgage or rent. In 2021, housing markets saw a fifteen per cent increase in the cost for single-family homes and a thirteen per cent increase in the cost for condominiums compared to 2020. The cost of housing in Hawaii has rapidly increased, effectively pricing out local renters and homeowners. Current real estate trends show there is a need to provide more affordable housing. The legislature further finds that the rising cost of housing in the State may disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, homeless or those struggling to find affordable housing. Vulnerable populations may have fixed incomes or experience continually rising rents that become unmanageable. Safe, affordable housing not only allows individuals and families to live and thrive in Hawaii, it also prevents many individuals and families from experiencing homelessness. The legislature finds that Act 127, Session Laws of Hawaii 2016, established a goal of developing 22,500 affordable rental units statewide to be ready for occupancy by December 31, 2026, and created a special action team on affordable rental housing, led by the director of the office of planning and sustainable development, to recommend actions to achieve this goal. In July 2018, the special action team published its "Affordable Rental Housing Report and Ten-Year Plan", which identified state, county, and private lands suitable for rental housing that is affordable for low- and moderate-income families and categorized them into three tiers of suitability and readiness for development. The purpose of this Act is to require the governor's coordinator on homelessness to: (1) Determine whether any of the lands identified in the Affordable Rental Housing Report and Ten-Year Plan are suitable for development of temporary housing for the Ohana Zone program or other forms of affordable housing; and (2) Provide recommendations on the actions required to develop the lands into temporary housing for the Ohana Zone program or other forms of affordable housing. SECTION 2. The governor's coordinator on homelessness shall: (1) Review the Affordable Rental Housing Report and Ten-Year Plan issued by the special action team on affordable rental housing in July 2018; (2) Determine whether any of the lands identified in the report are suitable for development of temporary housing for the Ohana Zone program or other forms of affordable housing; (3) Determine the actions required to develop the lands into temporary housing for the Ohana Zone program or other forms of affordable housing; and (4) Submit a report of the Coordinator's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2023. SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the biggest expense for any individual or family is the cost of housing or shelter. Within the last decade, it has become increasingly difficult for individuals and families to save for a down payment on a home or pay their mortgage or rent. In 2021, housing markets saw a fifteen per cent increase in the cost for single-family homes and a thirteen per cent increase in the cost for condominiums compared to 2020. The cost of housing in Hawaii has rapidly increased, effectively pricing out local renters and homeowners. Current real estate trends show there is a need to provide more affordable housing.
The legislature further finds that the rising cost of housing in the State may disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, homeless or those struggling to find affordable housing. Vulnerable populations may have fixed incomes or experience continually rising rents that become unmanageable. Safe, affordable housing not only allows individuals and families to live and thrive in Hawaii, it also prevents many individuals and families from experiencing homelessness.
The legislature finds that Act 127, Session Laws of Hawaii 2016, established a goal of developing 22,500 affordable rental units statewide to be ready for occupancy by December 31, 2026, and created a special action team on affordable rental housing, led by the director of the office of planning and sustainable development, to recommend actions to achieve this goal.
In July 2018, the special action team published its "Affordable Rental Housing Report and Ten-Year Plan", which identified state, county, and private lands suitable for rental housing that is affordable for low- and moderate-income families and categorized them into three tiers of suitability and readiness for development.
The purpose of this Act is to require the governor's coordinator on homelessness to:
(1) Determine whether any of the lands identified in the Affordable Rental Housing Report and Ten-Year Plan are suitable for development of temporary housing for the Ohana Zone program or other forms of affordable housing; and
(2) Provide recommendations on the actions required to develop the lands into temporary housing for the Ohana Zone program or other forms of affordable housing.
SECTION 2. The governor's coordinator on homelessness shall:
(1) Review the Affordable Rental Housing Report and Ten-Year Plan issued by the special action team on affordable rental housing in July 2018;
(2) Determine whether any of the lands identified in the report are suitable for development of temporary housing for the Ohana Zone program or other forms of affordable housing;
(3) Determine the actions required to develop the lands into temporary housing for the Ohana Zone program or other forms of affordable housing; and
(4) Submit a report of the Coordinator's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2023.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title: Affordable Housing; Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness Description: Requires the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness to review the Affordable Rental Housing Report and Ten-Year Plan issued by the Special Action Team on Affordable Rental Housing in July 2018; determine whether any of the lands identified in the report are suitable for development of temporary housing for the Ohana Zone program or other forms of affordable housing; determine the actions required to develop the lands into temporary housing for the Ohana Zone program or other forms of affordable housing; and submit a report to the Legislature before Regular Session of 2023. (SD1) The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
Report Title:
Affordable Housing; Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness
Description:
Requires the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness to review the Affordable Rental Housing Report and Ten-Year Plan issued by the Special Action Team on Affordable Rental Housing in July 2018; determine whether any of the lands identified in the report are suitable for development of temporary housing for the Ohana Zone program or other forms of affordable housing; determine the actions required to develop the lands into temporary housing for the Ohana Zone program or other forms of affordable housing; and submit a report to the Legislature before Regular Session of 2023. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.