Bill > HB1317

This bill establishes the Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox Program within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) to address the state's housing crisis by creating innovative housing solutions. The program will allow developers to test new workforce housing approaches under temporarily modified regulatory requirements, targeting households earning between 60% and 140% of the area median income. An advisory council will be created to provide guidance and oversight, consisting of representatives from various state and county agencies, cultural experts, and housing professionals. Developers can apply to the program by submitting proposals that demonstrate affordability, sustainability, and potential for expedited construction, and if approved, may receive benefits such as streamlined permitting, reduced infrastructure fees, and flexible zoning requirements. Participating developers must ensure that housing units remain affordable for at least ten years, are not used as short-term rentals, are occupied by legal U.S. residents who work in Hawaii, and have at least one adult working 30 or more hours per week in the state. The HHFDC will monitor the program and submit annual reports to the Legislature, and the bill appropriates $5,000,000 for program establishment and operation. The program is set to take effect on July 1, 3000, and will be repealed on June 30, 2030, with the goal of potentially creating over 10,000 workforce housing units to help address Hawaii's housing shortage.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1317&year=2026