Bill > HB1411

This bill authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) to allow affordable housing projects to grant preferences to applicants who live or work within five miles of a specific housing development project. The bill aims to address several key challenges in Hawaii, including a shortage of affordable housing, long commute times, transportation infrastructure strain, and greenhouse gas emissions. By enabling geographic preferences, the legislation seeks to help workers live closer to their workplaces, reduce traffic congestion, lower carbon emissions, improve worker productivity and mental health, and support community cohesion. The bill specifically allows the HHFDC to create rules that would permit housing projects to prioritize applicants who either reside or are employed within a five-mile radius of the housing development. The provisions are designed to mitigate potential displacement effects of new housing developments and create more localized, community-oriented housing solutions. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2050, giving the HHFDC ample time to develop and implement the necessary regulations for implementing these geographic preferences in affordable housing projects.

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1411&year=2026