Housing

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 534: RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Clarifies the process by which the Hawaii Community Development Authority may approve residential development on certain parcels of Kakaako Makai. Raises the building height limit and the maximum floor area ratio on certain parcels in the area. Requires a certain percentage of the residential units developed on certain parcels to be allocated to households at or below a certain income level in perpetuity, with priority given to certain essential workforce in the area. Limits the sale of residential units developed in certain residential developments to prospective owner-occupants. Requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to determine a Kakaako Makai association fee to be collected from residents, tenants, and lessees of certain parcels to be deposited into a special account in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Special Fund to fund various services and projects in the Kakaako Makai area. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 20% affordable units for low-income households in perpetuity with workforce priority, directly advancing affordable housing goals per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1306: RELATING TO HOUSING.

HB 1306 establishes the Kupuna Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program through the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. It allows older Hawaii residents (kūpuna) who own homes to convert their home equity into mortgage payments, providing financial stability as they age. The program is administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance Corporation, which will manage eligibility, funding, and participant support. This directly affects homeowners aged 62+ who wish to leverage their home equity without selling their property.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Kupuna Home Equity Conversion Program via HHFDC, providing financial stability for seniors to retain homeownership, directly funding housing security for elderly residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Mortgages Property Development

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 1979: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

Shortens the period during which certain judicial proceedings involving environmental assessments and environmental impact statements on actions that propose the use of land for, or construction of, affordable housing or clean energy projects must be initiated. Specifies that appeals from environmental courts that involve actions that propose the use of land for, or construction of, affordable housing or clean energy projects meet one of the grounds for transfer to the Supreme Court. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyStreamlines judicial process for clean energy project approvals, removing legal delays to advance development.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAccelerates clean energy project approvals by shortening judicial review timelines for environmental assessments, facilitating environmental protection through clean energy development.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingShortens judicial review timelines for affordable housing projects, reducing development delays per bill's focus on expediting environmental assessments for such projects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Affordable Housing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 3011: RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING.

Requires the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to allow any resident of a public housing project or state low-income housing project to keep one or more pet animals in the resident's unit, subject to applicable state laws, county ordinances, and any reasonable conditions. Prohibits pet animals from being at-large on public housing premises. Provides that the Hawaii Public Housing Authority may charge a refundable deposit for each pet animal but shall not impose a monthly pet fee or pet rent. Allows the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to remove a vicious animal to protect persons or property. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllows pets in public housing without monthly fees, strengthening tenant rights and reducing barriers for residents in affordable housing units.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 944: RELATING TO THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT.

Clarifies that a partner or member that is a partnership or limited liability company that has been allocated a low-income housing tax credit may either further allocate the credit or transfer, sell, or assign all or a portion of the credit to any taxpayer. Extends the sunset date of Act 129, SLH 2016, relating to the low-income housing tax credit, until 12/31/2032. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends low-income housing tax credit program, enabling continued tax incentives for affordable housing development and funding through tax credits.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends LIHTC program until 2032, ensuring continued tax credit funding for affordable housing development by clarifying allocation rules for developers.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1324: RELATING TO LANDLORD-TENANT DISPUTES.

Requires the Judiciary to contract for legal services for residential tenants in actions or proceedings for possession under certain circumstances. Authorizes attorneys, paralegals, and law students to provide legal services to residential tenants. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for tenant legal services, directly funding a public service under government spending.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides legal services to tenants in eviction disputes, strengthening tenant protections and access to representation per bill's explicit language.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 416: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Exempts certain state-financed housing developments from the requirement to obtain approval from the applicable county council. Authorizes a county planning director to reject certain permit applications due to a lack of infrastructure. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts state-financed housing from county approval, streamlining development and supporting housing projects per bill's core purpose.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 373: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Repeals the sunset provision in Act 45, SLH 2024, related to the counties' authorization to develop, construct, finance, refinance, or otherwise provide mixed-use developments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRepeals sunset provision, allowing counties to continue mixed-use housing development without expiration, advancing housing supply and development authority.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1731: RELATING TO COMMUNITY CARE FOSTER FAMILY HOMES.

Clarifies that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who meet an intermediate care facility or nursing facility level of care shall not be denied residency in a licensed community care foster family home solely because of their disability or enrollment in a specific medicaid waiver program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnsures Medicaid waiver participants access foster homes, preventing denial based on disability or Medicaid status, supporting healthcare access for disabled individuals.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents housing discrimination against disabled individuals in foster homes, directly protecting tenant rights and ensuring housing access per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1812: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes a 5-year Hawaii Builds Pilot Program within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and designates projects that meet specific requirements as Hawaii Builds Pilot Projects. Authorizes the Corporation to deploy moneys from the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for predevelopment activities or as active construction equity. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes deployment of dwelling unit revolving fund moneys for housing pilot, directing budget allocation toward affordable housing programs (50% units for 60-140% AMI households).95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes pilot program funding affordable housing units for 60-140% AMI households with 50% mandate, directly advancing affordable housing goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning

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