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 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 · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 107: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND LAND MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO DEVELOP A COUNTYWIDE HOUSING PATTERN BOOK TO STREAMLINE PERMIT APPROVALS AND REDUCE REGULATORY BARRIERS FOR SAFE, AFFORDABLE, AND WELL-DESIGNED HOMES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Housing and Land Management to create a countywide housing pattern book containing pre-approved building designs. The pattern book would include various housing types such as accessory dwelling units and low- to mid-rise buildings, featuring culturally appropriate and climate-responsive design elements like lanais and natural ventilation. Developers using approved designs from the book would receive streamlined permit approvals to reduce delays and costs, while the department is asked to collaborate with architects, builders, and community stakeholders in developing the collection. The resolution also requests a design competition to attract innovative designs and ensures the final pattern book will be made publicly available.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes climate-responsive design elements like natural ventilation and lanais, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact through sustainable housing design.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill seeks to streamline permitting and reduce regulatory barriers for safe, affordable, and well-designed homes, directly advancing housing development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 9: URGING THE COUNTIES TO INITIATE A FREEZE ON PRIMARY RESIDENCE PROPERTY TAXES FOR HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER TO CREATE A MORE SECURE FINANCIAL ENVIRONMENT FOR THE IMPACTED POPULATION.

SCR 9 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii counties to freeze property taxes on the primary residences of homeowners aged 75 and older. This would directly assist elderly homeowners, who face financial strain from Hawaii's high cost of living and fixed incomes, by reducing a major recurring expense. The freeze would apply only to primary residences and end if the property is sold, transferred, or the homeowner is no longer the owner. The resolution is addressed to county officials to encourage voluntary action but does not require counties to implement the policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProposes property tax freeze for elderly homeowners, reducing tax burden on fixed-income residents and aligning with tax relief indicators for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingReduces property tax burden for elderly homeowners on primary residences, directly increasing housing affordability for vulnerable seniors.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 6, 2026

HB 2049: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Restructures the conveyance tax to a marginal rate system for the sale of properties with residential use, adjusts the tax for multifamily properties to reflect value on a per-unit basis, and applies a cost-of-living adjustment to conveyance tax rates. Allocates revenues from conveyance tax collections. Allocates a portion of conveyance tax collections to the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to fund infrastructure programs in areas that meet minimum standards of transit-supportive density. Allocates a portion of conveyance tax revenues to the Hawaii Agricultural Development Revolving Fund, Special Land and Development Fund, and Hawaiian Home Lands Infrastructure and Housing Special Fund. Establishes and appropriates funds out of the Hawaiian Home Lands Infrastructure and Housing Special Fund. Authorizes the Hawaii Agricultural Development Revolving Fund to be used to acquire land. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRestructures conveyance tax to fund infrastructure via Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund, aligning with fiscal responsibility and public service funding.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates conveyance tax revenue to Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for infrastructure in transit-oriented development areas, directly funding housing-related infrastructure projects.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates conveyance tax revenue to fund infrastructure in transit-oriented development areas, directly supporting transportation infrastructure through targeted funding.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 1325: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires developers developing an affordable housing project under the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to assist certain tenants who are subject to displacement or eviction by the proposed project by: granting those tenants the right of first refusal of a comparable unit in the housing project or establishing a fund to provide relocation benefits and offer assistance; providing information, either directly or through a contracted service, on how to obtain assistance and exercise the right of first refusal; and establishing procedures to track and maintain communication with those tenants. Establishes consequences for a developer's noncompliance. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates relocation assistance and right of first refusal for displaced tenants in affordable housing projects, strengthening tenant protections under HHFDC programs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 1294: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture to address the shortage and challenges of agricultural workforce housing in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group with funding to address housing shortages for agricultural workers, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1774: RELATING TO CENTRALIZED ACCESS TO RESOURCES.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to develop, implement, and maintain a centralized resource website to connect residents to support and resources to address affordability, health, safety, and the impacts of climate change. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for climate commission website, directly allocating state budget resources to fund public service infrastructure under 'Appropriation ($)' subject.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds Hawaii Climate Commission's website for climate change resources, directly supporting environmental mitigation and adaptation efforts.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill appropriates funds for a centralized website connecting residents to resources addressing housing affordability, explicitly listed as a subject and key focus area.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1604: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to address the shortage and challenges of agricultural workforce housing in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAppropriates funds for Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group to address housing shortages, directly advancing affordable housing access for a specific workforce.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAddresses agricultural workforce housing shortages, supporting employment standards by improving living conditions for workers.65% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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