Bill > SB1200

This bill establishes a Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox Program within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to address the state's critical housing shortage by providing innovative solutions for affordable housing. The program will allow developers to test new housing approaches under relaxed regulatory requirements, targeting households earning between 60% and 140% of the area median income. A diverse advisory council will be created to provide guidance, ensuring that housing developments respect environmental and cultural considerations. Developers participating in the sandbox must maintain affordable pricing for at least ten years, prohibit short-term rentals, ensure full-time occupancy by legal U.S. residents, and require at least one adult in each household to be employed full-time. The corporation will monitor projects and submit annual reports to the Legislature, detailing the number and types of approved projects, regulatory modifications, and outcomes related to affordability and construction timelines. The bill appropriates $5 million over two fiscal years to establish and operate the program, including creating one full-time equivalent position. The program will be in effect from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2030, with the goal of potentially creating up to 10,000 workforce housing units to help address Hawaii's housing crisis and support local families.

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1200&year=2025