HB 1411: HHFDC; Affordable Housing; Geographic Preferences

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HOUSING PREFERENCE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that there is a shortage of affordable housing in Hawaii.  Further, many workers face difficulty commuting to and from work.  Long commutes strain transportation infrastructure and exacerbate global warming by increasing the emissions of greenhouse gases from vehicles.  Long commute times also impair worker productivity and personal well-being, as well as harm the overall economic productivity of the State.

     Allowing people to live closer to where they work will help preserve infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve workers' mental health, and help businesses by reducing commute times.

     The legislature also finds that housing development may displace or adversely affect people who live in the immediate vicinity of the projects, and that measures should be taken to reduce these effects.  Further, people often have strong ties to their communities including schools, social networks, and commercial establishments.

     Prioritizing affordable housing projects that grant preferences for applicants who live or work in the immediate vicinity of the projects will help alleviate the shortage of workforce housing, reduce traffic and emissions of greenhouse gases, mitigate adverse impacts from new development, and build stronger communities.

     The purpose of this Act is to authorize the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation to allow affordable housing projects to grant geographic preferences to applicants who live or work within five miles of a project.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 201H, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§201H-    Geographic preferences.  In developing projects under this chapter, the corporation may allow projects to grant preferences to housing units for applicants whose primary physical residence or place of employment is located within five miles of the project.  The corporation may adopt rules under chapter 91 to implement this section."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

HHFDC; Affordable Housing; Geographic Preferences

Description:

Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to allow projects to grant preferences in the sale or lease of housing units to applicants who live or work within five miles of the project.  Takes effect 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HOUSING PREFERENCE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that there is a shortage of affordable housing in Hawaii.  Further, many workers face difficulty commuting to and from work.  Long commutes strain transportation infrastructure and exacerbate global warming by increasing the emissions of greenhouse gases from vehicles.  Long commute times also impair worker productivity and personal well-being, as well as harm the overall economic productivity of the State.

     Allowing people to live closer to where they work will help preserve infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve workers' mental health, and help businesses by reducing commute times.

     The legislature also finds that housing development may displace or adversely affect people who live in the immediate vicinity of the projects, and that measures should be taken to reduce these effects.  Further, people often have strong ties to their communities including schools, social networks, and commercial establishments.

     Prioritizing affordable housing projects that grant preferences for applicants who live or work in the immediate vicinity of the projects will help alleviate the shortage of workforce housing, reduce traffic and emissions of greenhouse gases, mitigate adverse impacts from new development, and build stronger communities.

     The purpose of this Act is to allow the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation to allow affordable housing projects to grant geographic preferences to applicants who live or work within five miles of a project.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 201H, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§201H-     Geographic preferences.  In developing projects under this chapter, the corporation may allow projects to grant preferences to housing units for applicants whose primary physical residence or place of employment is located within five miles of the project.  The corporation may adopt rules under chapter 91 to implement this section."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Affordable Housing; HHFDC; Geographic Preferences

Description:

Allows the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to allow projects to grant preferences in the sale or lease of housing units to applicants who live or work within five miles of the project.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HOUSING PREFERENCE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that there is a shortage of affordable housing in Hawaii.  Further, many workers face difficulty commuting to and from work.  Long commutes strain transportation infrastructure and exacerbate global warming by increasing the emissions of greenhouse gases from vehicles.  Long commute times also impair worker productivity and personal wellbeing, as well as harm the overall economic productivity of the State.

     Allowing people to live closer to where they work will help preserve infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve workers' mental health, and help businesses by reducing commute times.

     The legislature also finds that housing development may displace or adversely affect people who live in the immediate vicinity of the projects, and that measures should be taken to reduce these effects.  Further, people often have strong ties to their communities including schools, social networks, and commercial establishments.

     Prioritizing affordable housing projects that grant preferences for applicants who live or work in the immediate vicinity of the projects will help alleviate the shortage of workforce housing, reduce traffic and emissions of greenhouse gases, mitigate adverse impacts from new development, and build stronger communities.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 201H, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§201H-     Geographic preferences.  In developing projects under this chapter, the corporation may allow projects to grant preferences to housing units for applicants whose primary physical residence or place of employment is located within five miles of the project.  The corporation may adopt rules under chapter 91 to implement this section."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Affordable Housing; HHFDC; Geographic Preferences

Description:

Allows the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to allow projects to grant preferences in the sale or lease of housing units to applicants who live or work within 5 miles of the project.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1097

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1411

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 1411, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING PREFERENCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to allow projects to grant preferences in the sale or lease of housing units to applicants who live or work within five miles of the project.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

     Your Committee finds that creating neighborhoods where residents can live, work, and play can significantly improve the quality of life of individuals and families, alleviate traffic congestion, and expand economic opportunities.  However, planned housing developments may disrupt local neighborhoods by displacing residents who live and work in the area.  Ensuring residents can remain in their neighborhoods is imperative to addressing the State's chronic housing shortage.  Therefore, this measure supports retaining the character of neighborhoods statewide while continuing to add housing units to the State's existing inventory.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

     (2)  Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1411, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1411, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Housing,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1064

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 1411

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1411, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING PREFERENCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to allow the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to allow projects to grant preferences in the sale or lease of housing units to applicants who live or work within five miles of the project.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and NAIOP Hawaii.

     Your Committee finds that long commutes strain transportation infrastructure.  Long commutes also impair worker productivity and personal wellbeing, as well as harm the environment and overall economic productivity of the State.  Allowing people to live closer to where they work will help preserve infrastructure, improve workers' mental health, and help businesses by reducing commute time.  This measure establishes preferences for applicants who live or work in the immediate vicinity of affordable housing projects.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1411, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  492

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 1411

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 1411 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING PREFERENCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to allow affordable housing projects to grant preferences in the sale or lease of housing units to applicants who live or work within five miles of the project.

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

     Your Committee finds granting a preference for eligible applicants who live or work within five miles of an affordable housing project supports the creation of neighborhoods where residents can live, work, and play.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1411, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1411, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Housing,