HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	680
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to the hawaii public housing authority.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that much of the State's aging public housing stock has fallen into disrepair. Without adequate reinvestment, deteriorating structural conditions can worsen and pose significant risks to many low-income families who need or already receive housing assistance. The legislature also finds that public housing vacancies have hindered the State's efforts to expand affordable housing availability at a time when it is most desperately needed.

The legislature further finds that the Hawaii public housing authority is responsible for administering a federal and state low-income public housing program. With properties statewide, the Hawaii public housing authority manages approximately 6,270 units of public housing throughout the State. The Hawaii public housing authority estimates that there are currently three hundred dwelling units lying vacant because they require extensive capital repairs.

The legislature additionally finds that a significant majority of Hawaii's public housing residents have household incomes of less than thirty per cent of the applicable area median income, with few exceptions. Local demand for affordable rental units continues to greatly outpace the construction of any new supply. The legislature notes that housing developers often struggle to make such projects pencil out. Many housing developers also find projects completely cost-prohibitive. As such, the legislature believes repairing vacant public housing units offers a partial, yet straightforward solution to easing Hawaii's affordable housing crisis. The Hawaii public housing authority anticipates that these vacant units could be made habitable again in as quickly as eighteen months.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to repair and improve the quality of the State's existing public housing in order to expand affordable housing opportunities for Hawaii's communities' most disadvantaged families.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $30,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the repair, renovation, improvements, and maintenance of federal and state low-income public housing units.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii public housing authority for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Hawaii Public Housing Authority; Rehabilitation; Dwelling Units; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Hawaii public housing authority for the rehabilitation, remodeling, renovation, and repair of dwelling units at federal and state low-income public housing projects.

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