Housing (Affordable Housing)

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SCR 3: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF UTILIZING MEZZANINE LOANS TO INCREASE THE RATE OF HOUSING PRODUCTION IN THE STATE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 3) requests Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) to study whether using mezzanine loans could help increase housing production in the state. Mezzanine loans are a financing tool that could allow housing developers to secure funding with less required equity, potentially lowering costs and accelerating project timelines. The study aims to evaluate if this approach could address Hawaii's severe housing shortage and improve the efficiency of state housing funds. DBEDT must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. (Note: This is a study request, not a law implementing mezzanine loans.)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requests study on mezzanine loans to increase housing production, directly addressing Hawaii's housing shortage through potential financing solutions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2180: RELATING TO DEPOSITS OF PUBLIC FUNDS.

Requires the Director of Finance to consider, before the selection of a depository for the state treasury, the beneficial effects to the State of using depositories within the State, including but not limited to lending at favorable terms for the creation of certain affordable housing units. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires depository selection to consider lending for affordable housing units, directly advancing housing development through state treasury incentives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 741: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Exempts affordable housing projects that are financed by a nonprofit community development financial institution certified by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation as utilizing less than a certain amount from the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund from prevailing wage provisions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts affordable housing projects from prevailing wage requirements, reducing development costs to advance affordable housing access under the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund.90% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentExempts affordable housing projects from prevailing wage requirements, reducing wage standards for workers on those projects.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2342: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes, and appropriates funds for, a working group to make recommendations to revise the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation's Qualified Allocation Plan and propose revisions to the prioritization of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund and the terms of loans made from the Rental Housing Revolving Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill explicitly prohibits allocation of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), restricting tax credits for housing, which aligns with 'oppose' indicators.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes Working Group to revise Qualified Allocation Plan prioritizing Rental Housing Revolving Fund, appropriates funds, and prohibits LIHTC misuse to protect perpetual affordability in housing programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 867: RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Establishes a working group within the Office of the Governor for administrative purposes to ascertain the State's available water resources and water system source capacity and to streamline well permit approval processes to further plan for the development of affordable housing. Requires the working group to inventory all available water resources statewide and identify sources of aquifer replenishment in relation to affordable housing development. Requires an interim and final report to the Legislature. (SD2)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates working group to streamline well permits for affordable housing development, directly removing a barrier to construction and planning.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1318: RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Removes from the definition of "public lands" lands set aside by the Governor to the counties for the purpose of affordable housing. Specifies that lands set aside by the Governor to the counties for affordable housing require legislative approval for the sale or gift of such lands. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects affordable housing lands by requiring legislative approval for sale/gift, preventing diversion from housing purpose90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1432: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Adds loan funds administered by Nonprofit Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) for certain for-sale affordable housing projects to list of loan priorities for the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund. Expands use of funds in the revolving fund to allow financing as matching funds for CDFIs to mobilize other funding sources. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands revolving fund usage for affordable housing, directing state funds to support essential housing programs via CDFIs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAdds CDFI loan funds to affordable housing priorities, expands revolving fund use for matching funds to boost housing development92% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1922: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Pro-Housing Score Program to evaluate each county's performance in expanding housing opportunities and reducing regulatory barriers. Requires the counties to publish their respective pro-housing scores online and HHFDC to publish certain related information and data on a public dashboard. Establishes criteria for deeming a county noncompliant. Establishes builder's remedies for certain housing projects in transit-oriented development areas. Specifies that if a county is deemed noncompliant, the planning director or an equivalent county officer responsible for land use approvals are responsible for approving or denying certain affordable housing development applications. Establishes procedures for certain transit-oriented development housing project appeals. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Pro-Housing Score Program to expand housing opportunities, reduce regulatory barriers, and create builder's remedies for transit-oriented development projects.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and transit-supportive density, aligning housing policy with transportation planning to enhance public transit accessibility.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Property Development

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 379: RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Requires that Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation housing projects include a restrictive covenant that states that the units designated as affordable housing, as described in the submitted project application, shall remain as affordable housing in perpetuity. Prohibits development of affordable housing in a special flood hazard area.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires affordable housing units to remain affordable in perpetuity, directly strengthening long-term affordability protections in HHFDC projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2504: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to develop and maintain comprehensive Housing Equity Dashboard on the Corporation's website that provides annual public reporting on certain statistics regarding affordable housing production. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires funding and dashboard for affordable housing reporting, advancing transparency and accountability in housing equity metrics.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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