Housing

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 19, 2026

SR 88: 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 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 who are homeless or living on extremely low incomes. The bill directs these agencies to assess how many eligible individuals are affected, identify gaps in current housing assistance, and explore options like transitional housing models on trust lands. It also requires the agencies to evaluate funding sources, partner with nonprofit organizations, and ensure all plans comply with the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. The agencies must submit a report to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session outlining their findings and recommendations for a pilot program.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requests creation of coordinated support system for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries experiencing homelessness or extremely low income, directly addressing housing stability and homelessness.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 38: 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 Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study whether mezzanine loans could help increase housing production in the state. Mezzanine loans are a type of financing that combines debt and equity features, allowing developers to borrow against a project's value without needing to provide as much upfront cash or ownership stake. The study would examine if this financing method could help developers build more homes while making better use of state housing funds. The department must complete the study and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not create new laws but requests research to inform future housing policy decisions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requests study on mezzanine loans to increase housing production, indicating intent to expand housing development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Property Development

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 169: URGING THE STATE AND CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO RECOGNIZE AND ADDRESS THE INEQUITABLE LOCATION OF MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES, CLEAN AND SOBER HOMES, HOMELESS SHELTERS, AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE LIVING HOMES ACROSS THE ISLAND OF OAHU.

This bill is a non-binding resolution that asks state and city officials to acknowledge that mental health facilities, sober homes, and homeless shelters are unevenly distributed across Oahu, with too many concentrated along the Waianae coast. It requests that Partners in Care Oahu consult with community stakeholders on issues such as facility proximity to schools and parks, transparency, insurance, law enforcement resources, oversight, and community engagement. The resolution formally notifies various government leaders and officials about these concerns but does not create new laws or mandate specific actions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill addresses equitable distribution of mental health and supportive housing, which reduces reliance on law enforcement for crisis situations and supports criminal justice reform through better community resources.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill addresses mental health facility distribution inequities and requests stakeholder consultation to improve access and oversight, supporting mental health services.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill addresses equitable distribution of supportive housing facilities and homeless shelters, promoting better access to housing resources across Oahu.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Mental Health Homelessness

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signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 110: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN COORDINATION WITH THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO EVALUATE THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING STATE-OWNED OR STATE-CONTROLLED WAREHOUSE AND LOGISTICS FACILITIES NEAR PORTS, HARBORS, AND AIRPORTS TO REDUCE MATERIAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLICLY FINANCED HOUSING PROJECTS.

This bill requests that Hawaii's Department of Transportation work with the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to form a working group that studies whether the state should own or control warehouses and logistics centers near ports, harbors, and airports. The goal is to lower material costs for publicly funded affordable housing projects by improving supply chain efficiency and reducing transportation expenses caused by Hawaii's reliance on imported building materials. The working group will examine potential sites, analyze cost savings from bulk purchasing, consider public-private partnerships, and determine what legal changes might be needed to implement such facilities. The group must include representatives from transportation, housing agencies, contractors, and other stakeholders, and will submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill aims to reduce material costs for publicly financed affordable housing projects by improving supply chain efficiency, directly supporting housing development efforts.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill seeks to improve supply chain efficiency and reduce transportation expenses for housing projects by evaluating state-owned logistics facilities near ports and airports, directly addressing transportation infrastructure optimization.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 90: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND PERMITTING 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 ACROSS OAHU.

This bill requests the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting to create a countywide housing pattern book containing pre-approved residential designs that meet safety and building codes. The pattern book aims to speed up permit approvals and lower regulatory barriers for building safe, affordable homes on Oahu. It includes designs for various housing types like accessory dwelling units and mid-rise buildings, incorporates climate-responsive features suited to Hawaii, and requires collaboration with architects, builders, and community stakeholders. The bill also calls for a public design competition to generate innovative options and mandates that the final pattern book be made publicly available to streamline construction processes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incorporates climate-responsive features and promotes efficient housing design, supporting environmental sustainability through energy-efficient construction.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly aims to streamline permitting and reduce regulatory barriers for affordable housing development, directly advancing housing availability and construction efficiency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Zoning

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 908: RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

SB 908 is a bill addressing homelessness that was introduced in January 2025 and referred to the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and has been carried over to the 2026 Regular Session for further consideration. As a short form bill, it does not yet contain detailed provisions or specific policy changes in its current version. The legislation aims to tackle homelessness issues, but its specific mechanisms and direct impacts on affected populations remain undefined at this time.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill addresses homelessness which is directly related to housing needs and stability, suggesting support for housing-related outcomes despite lacking detailed provisions.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 907: RELATING TO HOUSING.

This bill allocates state funds to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to support the repair, renovation, and maintenance of public housing units. The money is intended to improve existing housing conditions for residents living in public housing managed by the authority. The legislation does not create new housing but focuses on upgrading current facilities through rehabilitation and remodeling projects. It is a funding measure that directly impacts the operations and maintenance capabilities of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates state funds to repair and maintain public housing units, directly strengthening housing conditions and supporting affordable housing programs.95% confidence

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 1131: RELATING TO AN INTENSIVE MOBILE TEAM PILOT PROGRAM FOR HOUSELESS INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM SERIOUS BRAIN DISORDERS.

Establishes and appropriates funds for a 2-year Intensive Mobile Team Pilot Program in the Department of Health to provide intensive mobile treatment-type services to chronically houseless individuals suffering from serious brain disorders, including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes DOH-funded mobile mental health services for houseless individuals with severe brain disorders, directly expanding treatment access and funding for mental health care.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds mobile treatment for houseless individuals with brain disorders, directly addressing homelessness - a core housing issue - through targeted services to stabilize housing situations.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Homelessness

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 2356: RELATING TO PARKING.

Prohibits minimum off-street parking requirements for new developments or redevelopment projects located in transit-oriented development infrastructure improvement program areas. Effective 4/19/2042. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves parking mandates in transit-oriented development areas, reducing construction costs and enabling denser, more affordable housing development near transit.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits parking mandates in transit-oriented development areas, encouraging public transit use and sustainable transportation infrastructure as per TOD program goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development Zoning Electric Vehicles

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 1844: RELATING TO THE LAND USE COMMISSION.

Except for Important Agricultural Lands, requires the Land Use Commission to reclassify lands that are designated for urban growth under a county general plan or county development plan as being in the urban district at the request of the county, subject to certain conditions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingReclassifying lands to urban districts enables higher-density housing development, aligning with housing supply goals by facilitating county-led urban growth planning.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

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