Hawaii Senate Bill SB2987

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/24
• Refer: 1/26/24

Caption

Relating To Teacher Housing.

Impact

The bill proposes to amend Chapter 201H of the Hawaii Revised Statutes by introducing a housing assistance program administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Under this program, eligible teachers can receive vouchers up to $500 per month for rent or mortgage payments. The intent is to alleviate some of the financial burdens that contribute to the high teacher turnover rates, particularly in schools that struggle to retain staff due to their challenging circumstances, thereby fostering stability within the educational workforce.

Summary

Senate Bill 2987 aims to address the high turnover rates among teachers in Hawaii by establishing a Teacher Housing Assistance Program. Recognizing that around ten percent of the state's teachers leave their positions annually, and that high cost of living is a significant barrier to recruitment and retention, this bill seeks to provide financial relief to teachers through housing vouchers. These vouchers will be specifically targeted at full-time teachers working at hard-to-fill schools, including public charter schools, to encourage long-term employment commitments - a necessary measure given the state's ranking at the bottom for teacher salaries adjusted for living costs.

Contention

While supporters view this bill as a positive step toward improving teacher retention in Hawaii, concerns have been raised regarding the program's funding and sustainability. The bill indicates that it may cause the state's general fund expenditure ceiling to be exceeded for the fiscal year 2024-2025. Given the financial constraints, there are debates surrounding the long-term viability of providing housing vouchers and whether this approach adequately addresses the underlying issues contributing to teacher shortages.