Bill > HB1411

This bill addresses Hawaii's affordable housing challenges by authorizing the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) to allow housing projects to grant preferences to applicants who live or work within five miles of a new housing development. The legislation aims to solve multiple interconnected issues, including housing shortages, long commute times, and environmental concerns. By enabling geographic preferences, the bill seeks to help workers live closer to their jobs, which could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, alleviate transportation infrastructure strain, improve worker productivity and mental health, and strengthen community ties. The bill recognizes that housing development can sometimes negatively impact local residents, so by prioritizing people already connected to the area, it hopes to mitigate such effects. Specifically, the bill amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 201H to give the HHFDC the ability to implement rules allowing housing projects to prioritize local residents and workers when allocating housing units. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2050, providing a long-term framework for addressing Hawaii's housing challenges through localized, community-focused approaches.

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1411&year=2025