A number of progressive housing bills proposed by Senator Stanley Chang (District 9 – Hawai‘I Kai, Kuli‘ou‘ou, Niu, ‘Āina Haina, Wai‘alae-Kahala and Diamond Head), chair of the Senate Committee on Housing, passed the Hawaiʻi State Senate on March 9, 2021 and are heading to the State House of Representatives for consideration. Most notably:
SB1 SD2: RELATING TO HOUSING (ALOHA HOMES)
Establishes the ALOHA homes program to develop low-cost homes on state-owned and county-owned land in urban redevelopment sites to be sold in leasehold by the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation (HHFDC) to qualified residents. Exempts certain land from the definition of public lands. Requires HHFDC to gain legislative approval before disposing of certain lands. Provides for the disposition of lands acquired by HHFDC but no longer needed for the ALOHA homes program. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
SB2 SD2: RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS
Clarifies that lands set aside to the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation by the governor or leased to the corporation by other state departments and agencies are exempt from the definition of “public lands”. Requires the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation to dispose of public lands pursuant to chapter 171, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Clarifies that lands set aside by the governor or leased to the Hawaii housing finance development corporation from other state agencies are subject to legislative approval prior to the sale or gift of those lands. Effective 7/1/2050.
SB4 SD2: RELATING TO INCLUSIONARY ZONING
Prohibits any law, ordinance, or rule from imposing an inclusionary zoning requirement on housing offered exclusively for sale in perpetuity to buyers who are residents of the State, are owner-occupants, and do not own any other real property. Requires each county to submit a report on inclusionary zoning requirements to the legislature every year until the regular session of 2026. Repeals the Act on 7/1/2026.
SB749 SD2: RELATING TO THE PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY
Allows the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to build non-subsidized housing.
“The 2021 legislative session is heading in the right direction,” said Senator Chang. “In passing these bills, our state has taken important steps toward solving the housing shortage. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the State House of Representatives to continue advancing these bills.”
Other notable housing measures proposed by Senator Chang that have crossed over to the State House of Representatives are SB7 SD1, SB12 SD1, SB29 SD2, SB35 SD1, SB36 SD2 and SB1337 SD1.
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