STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3355

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1752

H.D. 3

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 1752, H.D. 3, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Housing Choice Voucher Landlord Incentive Program;

(2) Require the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to adopt rules to establish incentives for landlords who participate in the tenant-based assistance housing choice voucher program pursuant to section 8 of Housing Act of 1937;

(3) Require that the Hawaii Public Housing Authority adopt rules to establish a maximum of fifteen days for inspection of a dwelling unit following a landlord or owner's inspection request; and

(4) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Association of REALTORS, Koolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, Family Promise of Hawaii, Chamber of Sustainable Commerce, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, Hawai‘i Health & Harm Reduction Center, Faith Action For Community Equity, and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, and Partners In Care.

Your Committee finds that the Housing Choice Voucher Program established under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 is critical for many Hawaii residents who lack access to affordable housing. The Housing Choice Voucher Program allows participants to select their housing instead of relying on existing public housing projects. By allowing participants to choose their housing, the program promotes a higher quality of life for low-income households and alleviates strain on the State's other affordable housing projects. However, the Housing Choice Voucher Program relies on cooperation from landlords and property owners. This measure establishes incentives and protections for landlords who participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1752, H.D. 3, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Housing,

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STANLEY CHANG, Chair