Hawaii House Bill HR18

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/2/22
• Refer: 3/4/22

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Business, Economic Development, And Tourism To Submit A Report To The Legislature On The Barriers To Creating Affordable Housing In The State.

Impact

The resolution indicates a shift towards treating housing as a fundamental necessity rather than merely an investment opportunity. This perspective encourages legislators to reconsider how 'affordable housing' is defined, taking into account Hawaii's unique economic conditions, including high living costs and outdated pricing formulas that don't reflect residents' real incomes. The report is expected to include methodologies used to determine affordability, potentially showcasing areas for reform in housing policy that would better serve the community's needs.

Summary

House Resolution 18 (HR18) addresses the critical issue of affordable housing in Hawaii, requesting the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit a report identifying the barriers preventing the creation of affordable housing statewide. This resolution is in direct response to alarming findings that reveal a significant shortage of affordable homes, which significantly hampers the ability of residents to secure adequate housing based on prevailing wages. For instance, it notes that a minimum wage worker would need to work an astonishing 114 hours per week to afford a modest one-bedroom rental, highlighting the unaffordability crisis in the region.

Contention

There may be varying views on how to interpret the findings and proposed solutions outlined in HR18. Some stakeholders argue that identifying barriers to affordable housing is a positive step towards systemic change, while others may view the effort as insufficient without immediate actions to restructure housing policies or provide financial assistance to vulnerable populations. The success of the report's recommendations will depend largely on legislative will and public support for reforming housing regulations to meet the evolving needs of Hawaii's residents.