Relating To The Counties.
By enacting HB 815, the bill seeks to amend existing statutes to limit county powers concerning housing development. This move intends to foster private development without the constraints of inclusionary ordinances, potentially making it easier for developers to create new housing projects. However, opponents of this bill might argue that it undermines efforts to manage housing costs and cater to affordable housing needs, particularly in a state where housing affordability has repeatedly been a contentious issue.
House Bill 815 aims to prohibit counties in Hawaii from implementing inclusionary zoning requirements on new residential developments. Inclusionary zoning is a housing policy that mandates that a portion of new housing units must be made available at affordable rates for low- to moderate-income families. Despite the intent to increase affordable housing supply, previous studies, such as those conducted by the University of Hawaii's economic research organization, suggest that these policies might paradoxically reduce the overall number of affordable units by either prompting developers to create higher-rent units or causing them to avoid building in areas with such requirements altogether.
Debate surrounding HB 815 likely revolves around the balance between encouraging development and ensuring that affordable housing options remain available to residents. Proponents argue that the elimination of inclusionary zoning will enhance developers' willingness to build, ultimately increasing the housing supply. In contrast, opponents contend that it may entirely remove necessary provisions aimed at protecting low- and moderate-income inhabitants from being displaced or priced out of their communities. Additionally, the bill requires counties to submit reports on inclusionary zoning, which may allow for some tracking of housing affordability metrics even without zoning requirements.