HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1837

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 2

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO HOUSING.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  This Act shall be known as the "Yes In My Backyard Act".

     SECTION 2.  The legislature finds that the report Measuring Housing Demand in Hawaii, 2015-2025, published by the department of business, economic development, and tourism in March 2015, concluded that, based in part on the State's population growth, the projected statewide demand for residential housing was between 64,700 and 66,000 units.  Although the department finds that population growth in the State has slowed since the 2015 report, in the Hawaii Housing Demand:  2020-2030 report, published in December 2019, the department still projects that an additional 36,155 units will be needed between 2020 and 2030, not including units under construction or already in the permitting process.

     The legislature further finds that "yes in my backyard" legislation, which is aimed at increasing housing availability by reducing administrative barriers and encouraging the adoption of more flexible zoning and regulatory policies, has been enacted in Oregon and California.  Similar legislation aimed at increasing transparency and tracking discriminatory land use policies was co-introduced on the federal level by United States Senator Brian Schatz in May 2021.

     The legislature believes that Hawaii could benefit from similar discussions on opportunities to reduce zoning, regulatory, and statutory barriers to affordable housing development.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a working group on affordable housing that shall meet annually to:

     (1)  Foster increased inter-agency coordination on housing and zoning issues;

     (2)  Raise public awareness of the State and counties' ongoing efforts to reduce barriers to affordable housing development; and

     (3)  Propose legislation.

     SECTION 3.  (a)  There is established a working group on affordable housing that shall meet annually to discuss opportunities to reduce zoning, regulatory, and statutory barriers to affordable housing development.

     (b)  The working group shall comprise:

     (1)  The executive director or the executive director's designee from the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation who shall serve as a co-chair of the working group;

     (2)  The executive director or the executive director's designee from the Hawaii public housing authority who shall serve as a co-chair of the working group; and

     (3)  Representatives from each county agency having authority over zoning.

     (c)  The working group shall discuss:

     (1)  Opportunities to reduce zoning, regulatory, and statutory barriers to affordable housing development;

     (2)  Statutory or regulatory measures adopted in the previous year by the State or counties that have successfully increased opportunities to develop housing for residents at all income levels;

     (3)  Opportunities for public outreach to inform residents of the State and counties' ongoing efforts to reduce barriers to affordable housing development;

     (4)  The feasibility of:

          (A)  Allowing multi-family housing development in retail and commercial zones;

          (B)  Converting office units and commercial spaces into apartments and other multi-family residential spaces;

          (C)  Promoting a range of housing types in areas zoned for single-family homes;

          (D)  Reducing the minimum lot size for housing uses;

          (E)  Streamlining the housing permitting process and timelines;

          (F)  Establishing density bonuses;

          (G)  Utilizing vacant or underutilized county land for affordable housing development; and

          (H)  Utilizing financing programs to more efficiently develop affordable housing; and

     (5)  Any other topics requested by the legislature.

     (d)  The working group shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session, beginning with the regular session of 2023.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

 

Report Title:

Counties; Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; Hawaii Public Housing Authority; Affordable Housing; Yes In My Backyard; Report

 

Description:

Establishes a working group on affordable housing to foster increased inter-agency coordination on housing and zoning issues, raise public awareness of ongoing state and county efforts to reduce barriers to affordable housing development, and propose legislation.  Requires an annual report to the Legislature.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD2)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.