THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	203
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

urging the hawaii housing finance and development corporation to ADOPT administrative rules TO create a pathway TO creatinG A process under section 201H-38, Hawaii Revised statutes, for housing projects that are exclusively available to hawaii residents who would be owner- or renter-occupants and who own no other real property.

WHEREAS, the State is experiencing an unprecedented housing crisis; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) has a mission to oversee affordable housing projects in the State through the development and financing of low- and moderate-income housing projects and homeownership programs; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to existing administrative rules, HHFDC requires certain housing projects to offer half of the available units to buyers whose income is at or below one hundred forty percent of the area median income; and

WHEREAS, section 201H-38, Hawaii Revised Statutes, authorizes certain exemptions from statutes, ordinances, charter provisions, and rules relating to planning, zoning, development and improvement of land, and construction standards for certain housing projects developed by HHFDC or with an eligible developer under a government assistance program, defined as any housing program qualified by HHFDC and administered or operated by HHFDC or the United States, or any of their political subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, corporate or otherwise; and

WHEREAS, housing projects eligible for an exemption under section 201H-38, Hawaii Revised Statutes, must meet the following criteria:

(1) The housing project is consistent with the purpose and intent of chapter 201H, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and meets minimum requirements of health and safety;

(2) The proposed housing project does not contravene health or safety standards or Public Utilities Commission or county boards of water supply, tariffs, rates, or fees; and

(3) The legislative body of the county in which the housing project is located approves the project with or without modifications, and the land use commission makes a determination on any boundary changes, under certain conditions; and

WHEREAS, residential units at all price points are needed to solve the chronic housing shortage for residents; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, that the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation is urged to adopt administrative rules to create a pathway to the housing creation process under section 201H-38, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for housing projects that are exclusively available to Hawaii residents who would be owner- or renter-occupants and who own no other real property; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation is urged to adopt administrative rules that create a second pathway to the housing creation process under section 201H-38, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for housing projects that are exclusively available to Hawaii residents who would be owner- or rental-occupants and who own no other real property, which is requested to be in addition to existing pathways under Hawaii Administrative Rules, that require one‑half of all units in a housing project to be available for buyers whose income is at or below one hundred forty percent of the area median income; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Executive Director of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; Chairperson of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation Board of Directors; Chief Housing Officer; and Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; Administrative Rules; Exemption; Affordable Housing