Bill > SB1235

This bill establishes a Government Employee Housing Program within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to address challenges in recruiting and retaining state employees by creating affordable housing options. The program will develop low-cost rental, leasehold, and for-sale housing units on state-owned lands, particularly near transit-oriented development sites. A new Government Employee Housing Revolving Fund will be created to provide financing for housing infrastructure and development, with priority given to housing for newly hired permanent full-time state employees and progressively expanding to other government employees and eventually the general public. The program includes specific guidelines for unit ownership, such as requiring owner-occupancy, restricting property ownership, and establishing a 99-year leasehold option. The bill appropriates funds for rule adoption, community engagement, pre-development planning, and establishing two full-time positions to support the program. Units will be primarily located within one mile of planned or existing mass transit stations, aiming to reduce employee outmigration, fill critical labor needs, and enhance urban development along Honolulu's rail transit system.

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1235&year=2026