Housing

passed · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SR 1: AMENDING RULE 16 OF THE RULES OF THE SENATE OF THE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, REGULAR SESSION OF 2026, OF THE STATE OF HAWAII.

SR 1 amends Senate Rule 16 to reorganize the Hawaii Senate's standing committees for the 2026 legislative session. It creates three new committees: Higher Education (HRE) for university funding and private higher education (excluding the Hawaii P-20 K-12 initiative), Housing (HOU) for affordable housing and homelessness programs, and Judiciary (JDC) for courts, crime, and civil liberties. The Education committee now excludes higher education funding, retaining oversight of K-12 initiatives like the Hawaii P-20 program. This procedural change adjusts how legislative work is assigned and reviewed within the Senate.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates dedicated Housing committee (HOU) focused on 'affordable housing and homelessness programs,' indicating legislative prioritization of these housing issues.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homelessness

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2068: RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Establishes the Affordable Housing Land Inventory Task Force within the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to conduct a study, subject to legislative appropriation, on how to maximize housing development in transit-oriented development zones or other areas on state or county lands. Requires a report to the Legislature. Establishes a position. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for the Affordable Housing Land Inventory Task Force study, directly allocating budget resources to advance housing policy.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes Affordable Housing Task Force to maximize development in transit zones, appropriates funds, and mandates report - directly advancing affordable housing goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill focuses on transit-oriented development zones to maximize housing near transit, promoting sustainable transportation integration through TOD strategy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Affordable Housing Housing Finance Land Use

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 654: RELATING TO SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA MINOR PERMITS.

Amends the definition of "special management area minor permit", in section 205A-22, HRS, to mean an action by the applicable authority authorizing: (1) Development, the valuation of which does not exceed $1,000,000, and that has no substantial adverse environmental or ecological effect, taking into account potential cumulative effects; or (2) Construction or reconstruction of single-family residential use that is less than 7,500 square feet of floor area in aggregate; is situated on a shoreline parcel or a parcel that is impacted by waves, storm surges, high tide, or shoreline erosion; and is not part of a larger development.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingFacilitates single-family home construction under 7,500 sq ft, enabling housing development without restricting permits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1467: RELATING TO HOUSING RESILIENCY.

Establishes the Strengthen Hawaii Homes Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to administer grants to retrofit residential properties to enhance resilience against disaster impacts and reduce potential insurance liabilities. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds housing retrofits via grants to enhance disaster resilience, directly supporting housing infrastructure and reducing insurance liabilities for residential properties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1101: RELATING TO SAFE SPACES FOR YOUTH PROGRAM.

Makes the Safe Spaces for Youth Pilot Program permanent within the Office of Youth Services. Requires the program to collaborate with all state and county departments that offer services for youth and young adults to coordinate the identification of youth and young adults who are experiencing homelessness and placement of these youth at a shelter for homeless youth or young adults. Authorizes the Office of Youth Services to contract with nonprofit organizations to provide shelters for homeless youth or young adults. Requires the Office of Youth Services to submit a report twenty days prior to the regular session of the Legislature.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill permanently establishes shelter program for homeless youth, directly addressing homelessness through coordinated placements and nonprofit contracts, aligning with housing support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1033: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes an excise tax on certain taxpayers who own excess single-family residences for failure to sell those residences. Establishes and allocates excise tax revenues to the Housing Downpayment Trust Fund. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates excise tax on idle homes, allocates revenues to Housing Downpayment Trust Fund - directly funds housing program via new tax revenue.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds Housing Downpayment Trust Fund via excise tax on non-selling excess properties, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HR 6: 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.

This House Resolution (HR 6) urges Hawaii counties to freeze property taxes on the primary residences of homeowners aged 75 and older. It directly affects senior homeowners in Hawaii, aiming to improve their financial stability amid the state’s high cost of living. The resolution recommends counties implement this tax freeze, which would end if the homeowner sells the property, transfers ownership, or no longer resides there. It is non-binding, meaning counties are encouraged but not required to adopt this policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief for senior homeowners through property tax freeze, directly reducing tax burden for vulnerable population as fiscal support.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFreezes property taxes for seniors, preventing displacement and improving housing stability for vulnerable homeowners in high-cost Hawaii.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Homeownership Property Taxes Tags Seniors

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2957: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Tenant Displacement Working Group within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to address tenant displacement and relocation in the State. Requires the Tenant Displacement Working Group to report to the Legislature. Appropriates Funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires developers to provide displaced tenants with right of first offer and replacement payments, strengthening tenant protections and preventing displacement in housing projects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Property Development Tenant Rights

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1470: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Small Housing Provider Grant Program under Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to provide grants to eligible property owners of multi-family buildings for renovations, repairs, and addressing hazardous and unsafe living conditions. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates grant program funding renovations/repairs for multi-family housing to address hazardous conditions, directly advancing affordable housing maintenance and tenant safety through dedicated appropriations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Property Development

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passed both · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1428: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Appropriates funds for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to allocate to housing counseling agencies certified by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide housing counseling services. Requires a report to the Legislature regarding services provided by the housing counseling agencies. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAppropriates funds to HUD-certified housing counseling agencies for ALICE households, directly funding housing assistance services to advance affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Property Development

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