Hawaii Senate Bill SCR58

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24
• Refer: 3/15/24
• Report Pass: 3/28/24
• Engrossed: 4/1/24
• Refer: 4/4/24

Caption

Urging The Hawaii Housing Finance And Development Corporation To Adopt Administrative Rules To Create A Process Under Section 201h-38, Hawaii Revised Statutes, For Housing Projects Exclusively For Sale Or Rent To Qualified Residents As Defined In Section 201h-32, Hawaii Revised Statutes, Who Are Deemed To Be Moderate-income Households.

Impact

If SCR58 is adopted, it could have significant implications for the state's approach to housing development. By streamlining the approval process and allowing for exemptions from various state statutes and ordinances, the bill aims to incentivize developers to create more rental and homeownership opportunities for those defined as moderate-income. This could lead to an increase in the availability of housing options, which is crucial given the current unmet demand for affordable housing in the state.

Summary

SCR58 addresses the urgent housing crisis in Hawaii by urging the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) to establish administrative rules that facilitate housing projects exclusively targeted at moderate-income households. It emphasizes the need for more residential units at every price point to combat the ongoing housing shortage. The resolution calls for a process to allow specific exemptions for housing projects under section 201H-38 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. This is in light of the existing requirement that at least half of the units in certain housing projects must be offered to households with incomes at or below 140% of the area median income.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SCR58 appears largely positive among its proponents, who view it as a necessary step to directly address the housing crisis affecting many Hawaii residents. Supporters argue that the bill provides a feasible pathway to increase affordable housing stock, which is essential for community stability and growth. However, the resolution also prompts some concerns regarding how these exemptions might affect local regulations and development standards, with a potential debate around balancing rapid housing development with community needs and regulatory oversight.

Contention

The primary points of contention relate to the details of the administrative rules that the HHFDC will adopt. Although SCR58 encourages the expedited creation of processes for moderate-income housing projects, there may be differing opinions on how these changes should be implemented without compromising essential health, safety, and planning standards. Additionally, while the resolution seeks to enhance housing availability, skeptics may raise concerns about ensuring that such developments truly serve the intended demographic and do not overlook critical community input.