Hawaii Senate Bill SCR231

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/22
• Refer: 3/16/22
• Report Pass: 4/6/22
• Engrossed: 4/7/22
• Refer: 4/8/22

Caption

Urging The Counties To Produce Land Use Plans That Account For Housing Production And Demand.

Impact

The resolution seeks to address the projected demand for additional housing units across various counties, estimating specific needs such as 25,847 units for Honolulu and 19,610 units for Hawaii County alone. Despite the critical nature of this issue and the identified need for housing, the resolution points out that counties have made insufficient progress in enacting policies aimed at alleviating the housing shortage. This highlights the urgency for local governments to take action and adapt their land use strategies accordingly.

Summary

SCR231 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution urging counties in Hawaii to develop land use plans that specifically account for housing production and demand. The resolution acknowledges a significant housing crisis in the state, with projections indicating a need for an additional 57,000 affordable housing units by the year 2025 to meet long-term demands, particularly on Oahu. The resolution emphasizes the importance of proactive planning to address this acute shortage and calls for local governments to implement effective strategies to stimulate housing production.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding SCR231 appears to be one of urgency and necessity, with strong backing for the idea that local governments must act decisively in response to the housing crisis. Supporters of the resolution emphasize the importance of comprehensive land use planning as a means to foster housing development. This reflects a consensus on the need for coordinated efforts to tackle the housing shortfall, although the actual implementation remains to be seen.

Contention

One notable point of contention involves the barriers to housing development that may exist within each jurisdiction. While SCR231 urges counties to identify and eliminate these barriers, there may be different interpretations of what constitutes a barrier and how best to address these challenges. Additionally, the resolution may spark discussions around local versus state control in land use planning, particularly if proposed changes to housing policy conflict with existing local regulations or priorities.