Hawaii Senate Bill SCR226

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24
• Refer: 3/20/24
• Report Pass: 4/3/24
• Engrossed: 4/4/24
• Refer: 4/5/24
• Report Pass: 4/12/24
• Refer: 4/12/24

Caption

Requesting The Governor, In Collaboration With The County Of Maui, To Provide A Clear Strategy For Addressing The Short And Long-term Housing Needs For Residents Displaced By The August 2023 Maui Wildfires.

Impact

The impact of SCR 226 is significant, as it aims to enhance the state's response to housing challenges exacerbated by the wildfires. The proposed strategy would outline specific housing projects, construction timelines, and necessary infrastructure enhancements. It also seeks to expedite the permitting process for new housing developments and may involve temporary waivers of state land use requirements to facilitate quicker construction. These measures are pivotal in ensuring that residents can regain stability as federal disaster assistance diminishes.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 226 requests the Governor of Hawaii to collaborate with the County of Maui to develop a comprehensive strategy for addressing the housing needs of residents displaced by the devastating wildfires that occurred in August 2023. The wildfires have led to significant loss and displacement, especially affecting low-income residents and renters who were already facing a housing crisis prior to the disaster. The resolution emphasizes the urgency of creating both short-term and long-term housing solutions that cater to the diverse needs of those affected, including homeowners, renters, and multi-unit dwellers.

Contention

While SCR 226 has been generally viewed as a necessary step towards addressing an urgent humanitarian need, discussions could arise around the adequacy of the proposed strategies, the state's ability to implement them effectively, and the prioritization of projects in the face of existing bureaucratic challenges. Stakeholders may also debate the balance between rapid construction of temporary housing solutions and the need for permanent, sustainable developments that adhere to community planning principles.

Additional_notes

The resolution sets a deadline of May 31, 2024, for the completion of the housing strategies, with quarterly status updates required to keep the legislature informed. This accountability mechanism is intended to ensure transparency and monitoring of the recovery efforts, potentially leading to further legislative action if necessary.