Housing

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 2557: RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

Requires the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to make an annual report on the number of sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals and on housing placement. Requires the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to annually report to the Legislature on contracts and plans or proposals to enhance kauhale projects. Requires the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to annually report to the Legislature on coordination between the office and any county, state, or federal agencies, or private or nonprofit organizations. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates annual reports on homelessness and housing placements to enhance solutions, directly addressing homelessness through accountability and coordination.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 27, 2026

HCR 85: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO TRANSFER PARCELS THAT MAKE UP THE EAST KAPOLEI TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND URGING THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO PARTNER WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS AND HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF NON-HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PORTIONS OF THE PROJECT.

This bill urges state agencies to reorganize the East Kapolei Transit-Oriented Development Project by transferring land parcels currently owned by the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. It also requests that the Housing Corporation partner with the Hawaii Community Development Authority and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to handle non-housing aspects like commercial development and infrastructure improvements. The resolution aims to align agency responsibilities with their core functions to facilitate the project's mixed-use development, which includes affordable housing, retail, and transit facilities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill transfers land parcels to housing finance corporation to facilitate affordable housing development in East Kapolei project.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes transit-oriented development and infrastructure improvements through land transfers and partnerships, directly supporting transportation goals.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 23, 2026

HCR 83: SUPPORTING THE USE OF THE DWELLING UNIT REVOLVING FUND TO FUND PREDEVELOPMENT COSTS FOR ANY GOVERNMENT AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROJECT THROUGH INTERIM LOANS TO EXPEDITE THE DELIVERY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO HAWAII'S RESIDENTS.

This bill is a non-binding resolution that expresses support for using existing funds to help finance early-stage costs for government affordable housing projects in Hawaii. It specifically endorses allowing interim loans from the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to cover predevelopment expenses like site analysis, design work, and permit preparation for projects owned or managed by government entities. The resolution states that these loans would be repaid by developers through permanent financing once the project is completed, aiming to speed up the delivery of affordable housing. As a concurrent resolution, it does not create new laws or change regulations but instead communicates legislative support for this funding approach to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill supports using Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to finance predevelopment costs for affordable housing, advancing government affordable housing projects and fiscal management.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly funds predevelopment costs for government affordable housing projects through interim loans to expedite delivery of affordable housing to residents.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 1700: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Includes housing projects for individuals with disabilities and individuals with access and functional needs as eligible projects to apply for expedited permits. Requires reports to the Legislature. Repeals 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables expedited permits for disability-accessible housing projects, advancing inclusive housing development and addressing access needs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 93: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS AND STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED SUPPORT AND STABILIZATION PATHWAY FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN BENEFICIARIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR EXTREMELY LOW INCOME.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to create a coordinated support system for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries facing homelessness or extremely low income. The bill directs these agencies to assess the number of affected individuals, identify service gaps, and explore options like transitional housing models on trust lands. It also mandates the development of a report within a year outlining funding sources, partnership opportunities, and program safeguards while ensuring compliance with the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. This measure focuses on improving collaboration between agencies to provide more comprehensive assistance to this specific population without changing existing laws.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requests development of coordinated support pathway for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries experiencing homelessness or extremely low income, directly addressing housing stability and homelessness.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2347: RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

SB 2347 requires the Office of Consumer Protection to regularly publish clear, multilingual notices explaining tenant rights under the residential landlord-tenant code. This bill directly affects renters by ensuring they receive accessible information about their legal protections, particularly in communities with limited English proficiency. Key provisions mandate that these notices be published periodically and made available in multiple languages to improve tenant awareness. The law would take effect on July 1, 2050, but is currently pending committee review.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates landlords provide tenants with multilingual rights notices, strengthening tenant protections under housing policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 16, 2026

HCR 82: REQUESTING THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL TO DEVELOP AND ADOPT BASIC SHELTER STANDARDS TO ENABLE LOW-COST, RAPID-DEPLOYMENT HOUSING SOLUTIONS.

This bill requests the State Building Code Council to create a new set of basic shelter standards that would allow for low-cost, quickly built housing solutions during emergencies. The proposed standards would permit simpler structures like prefabricated units and temporary shelters that currently don't meet full building code requirements, but would still ensure safety and sanitation. These housing units would only be allowed during declared emergencies and would be limited to government or nonprofit use to prevent commercial exploitation. The bill also establishes a pathway for these temporary units to be upgraded to permanent housing if they later meet full building code standards.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates basic shelter standards for low-cost, rapid-deployment housing during emergencies, expanding affordable housing options and addressing housing needs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 123: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS AND STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED SUPPORT AND STABILIZATION PATHWAY FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN BENEFICIARIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR EXTREMELY LOW INCOME.

This bill requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to create a coordinated support system for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries who are homeless or have extremely low incomes. The resolution asks these agencies to assess how many people are affected, identify gaps in current housing assistance, and explore options like transitional housing models on trust lands. It also directs them to evaluate funding sources, partner with nonprofit organizations, and ensure all plans comply with the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act before submitting a report to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requests development of coordinated support pathway for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries experiencing homelessness or low income, directly addressing housing assistance and homelessness stabilization.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 116: REQUESTING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU AND STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED, PLACE-BASED STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN TO ADDRESS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE NEEDS ON THE WAIANAE COAST.

This bill requests the City and County of Honolulu and the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to create a coordinated strategic action plan for addressing behavioral health and homelessness on the Waianae Coast. The plan would analyze emergency response times, hospital utilization, and current shelter capacity to identify service gaps and high-need areas in the region. It also requires the agencies to evaluate how well outreach teams, behavioral health providers, and first responders work together and to explore options for establishing a regional crisis stabilization center. The agencies must include community-based service providers in the planning process and submit their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to develop a strategic action plan for behavioral health and homelessness, improving access to mental health services and healthcare coordination.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requests development of strategic action plan to address homelessness and behavioral health needs, which directly supports housing solutions and homelessness response efforts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 182: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY ACCESSIBILITY BARRIERS FOR MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING NOT COVERED BY THE FEDERAL FAIR HOUSING ACT AND GOVERNED BY CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATIONS AND PLANNED COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS.

This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Health to create a working group to study accessibility barriers in multi-family housing managed by condominium and planned community associations, which are not covered by the federal Fair Housing Act. The study will examine disputes between residents and associations over accessibility modifications, analyze how current laws define responsibilities for common area improvements, and assess the impact of these barriers on residents' ability to age in place. The working group will include representatives from disability rights organizations, housing authorities, and senior advocacy groups, and will evaluate potential state funding options to help offset modification costs. The Department of Health is required to submit a report with findings and legislative recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill seeks to study and address accessibility barriers in multi-family housing, which would strengthen tenant protections and improve housing accessibility for residents with disabilities.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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