Hawaii Senate Bill SCR57

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24

Caption

Requesting The Hawaii Housing Finance And Development Corporation To Adopt Administrative Rules That Preempt The Counties From Imposing Residential Income Requirements On Housing Projects Subject To Section 201h-38, Hawaii Revised Statutes, That Are Lower Than Those Adopted Or Established By The State.

Impact

The resolution highlights the discrepancies in housing regulations between state and county levels that exacerbate high home prices. By preventing counties from imposing their own income requirements which are lower than state-established thresholds, SCR57 aims to streamline the process for housing developers. This centralization of regulations is expected to enhance the state's ability to meet its housing goals, removing barriers that have previously hindered the construction of affordable housing projects.

Summary

SCR57 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution in Hawaii that requests the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) to adopt administrative rules that preempt counties from imposing residential income requirements on housing projects. The resolution addresses the state's ongoing housing crisis characterized by the highest median home prices in the nation and significant regulatory burdens that stress both residents and developers. The goal of the bill is to create a consistent regulatory framework that can facilitate the development of affordable housing across the state.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding SCR57 is the concern over local control. Opponents may argue that preempting counties from establishing residential income requirements limits local governments' ability to tailor regulations based on the unique needs of their communities. This could lead to a one-size-fits-all approach that overlooks local housing market conditions and demographic factors. Additionally, the proposed rules for expedited processing of housing projects may raise questions about accountability and oversight in the development process.