Hawaii Senate Bill SR9

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/29/24
• Refer: 3/1/24
• Report Pass: 3/25/24

Caption

Requesting The Hawaii Public Housing Authority To Utilize The State's Rental Supplement Program To Provide Homeowners Insurance Premium Assistance To Housing Owners Who Rent Or Lease To Qualified Kupuna A Mortgage Property Within Designated Lava Zones.

Impact

The primary aim of SR9 is to alleviate the financial strain placed on both landlords and elderly tenants living in lava zones where rents have increased significantly to compensate for higher insurance costs. By targeting financial assistance towards insurance premiums, the resolution seeks to help maintain affordable housing options for vulnerable seniors. This move comes in light of the high cost of living in Hawaii, where many kupuna live on fixed incomes, potentially leading to homelessness if financial burdens continue to escalate.

Summary

Senate Resolution 9 (SR9) addresses the impact on low-income older adults, known as kupuna, who reside in designated lava zones on the Big Island of Hawaii. This resolution requests the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to use the State's Rental Supplement Program to provide assistance with homeowners insurance premiums for housing owners who rent to qualified kupuna in these areas. The initiative responds to substantial increases in homeowners insurance costs, which have reportedly risen over six times in recent years due to the volcanic risks associated with these zones.

Contention

Some potential points of contention may center around the economic feasibility of utilizing the State's Rental Supplement Program for homeowners insurance assistance. Critics could argue that reallocating resources to support insurance payments may inevitably draw funds away from other essential social services. Additionally, concerns may arise regarding the criteria for determining which homeowners are eligible for these benefits and how effectively the program can be administered to ensure that it reaches those most in need.