Hawaii House Bill HR11

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/23
• Refer: 2/16/23
• Report Pass: 3/29/23
• Passed: 3/29/23

Caption

Requesting The Hawaii Housing Finance And Development Corporation To Study The Viability Of Increasing The Minimum Percentage Of Affordable Housing Units In A Project Required To Be Set Aside To Qualify For An Exemption Under Chapter 201, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Impact

The bill is poised to impact local laws significantly by potentially altering the requirements for developers regarding affordable housing production. Currently, in projects with over thirty units, a minimum of fifty-one percent must be designated for low- and moderate-income households. HR11 aims to evaluate the possibility of raising this threshold, which could lead to an increase in the number of affordable units set aside. This initiative is essential for addressing Hawaii's ongoing housing crisis, as well as for meeting the community's diverse needs, particularly for those within lower income brackets.

Summary

House Resolution 11 (HR11) requests the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to study the feasibility of increasing the minimum percentage of affordable housing units that must be set aside in a development project to qualify for exemptions under the Hawaii Revised Statutes. This resolution recognizes the pressing need for more housing in Hawaii and seeks to enhance existing measures that incentivize developers to create affordable housing units while balancing community interests and infrastructure capacities. The study aims to provide recommendations for potential legislative measures to improve affordable housing availability.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HR11 appears mixed. Supporters advocate for measures that expand affordable housing availability and view the potential for increasing set-aside percentages as a proactive solution to housing scarcity. Meanwhile, concerns are voiced by community members who fear that increased density or changes to neighborhood character could arise from such developments. Stakeholders are cautious about these proposals and are eager for assurances that community standards and infrastructure will not be negatively affected.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the balancing act between the need for more affordable housing and the concerns of existing residents regarding the impacts on their neighborhoods. Critics suggest that simply increasing the percentage of units required may not adequately consider vital community factors such as congestion, infrastructure strain, and the preservation of neighborhood character. Thus, the bill underscores the broader debate over how best to develop housing solutions that respect both the urgent demand for affordability and the importance of community integrity.