HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1637

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO HOUSING.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


Part I

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that there is a serious need to develop affordable rental housing in Hawaii to meet the needs of individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.  Addressing these needs will be a challenge because of the sheer number of units needed to meet demand and the various barriers that can prevent development and preservation of affordable housing.

     The legislature further finds that the rental housing revolving fund provides loans to fill financing gaps to enable the development, preservation, or rehabilitation of affordable rental housing projects, including projects consisting of housing units for persons and families at or below one hundred per cent, eighty per cent, and thirty per cent of the median family income.  By creating a stable housing environment through the construction of housing for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, other issues can be addressed that impact the homeless, such as employment, job training, and health care.

     The purpose of this part is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds, revenues from which are to be deposited into the rental housing revolving fund to increase the inventory of affordable rental housing, especially for low-income individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

     SECTION 2.  The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the purposes set forth in section 201H-202, Hawaii Revised Statutes; provided that:

     (1)  $         shall be used for projects or units in projects that are for persons and families with incomes at or below thirty per cent of the median family income;

     (2)  $         shall be used for projects or units in projects that are for persons and families with incomes at or below fifty per cent of the median family income; and

     (3)  $         shall be used for projects or units in projects that are for persons and families with incomes at or below eighty per cent of the median family income;

provided further that modular housing may be considered as a possible housing option.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation for the purposes of this part.

Part Ii

     SECTION 3.  The legislature finds that homelessness continues to be an issue of concern for the State.  Federal statistics indicate that as of 2017, Hawaii had fifty-one homeless individuals per every ten thousand people, the highest rate per capita in the nation.  In 2016, the legislature invested $10,000,000 in new funding to address this ongoing problem.  The 2017-2018 executive biennium budget, as submitted by the governor, proposes to invest an additional $20,900,000 in new funding to address homelessness issues.  However, the legislature believes that additional funding is necessary to ensure that the State has adequate resources to confront this challenge.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this part is to allocate additional funding to the department of human services to support homelessness mitigation and prevention efforts in the State.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 to provide housing subsidies for homeless families through the rent supplement program.

     SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the housing first program to provide housing and supportive services to homeless individuals who may have mental health or addiction issues, and for the hiring of     full-time equivalent (    FTE) positions.

     SECTION 6.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 to support the rapid rehousing program to move capable families out of shelters.

     SECTION 7.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 to support the operations of the family and elderly housing program.

     SECTION 8.  The sums appropriated in sections 5 and 6 shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.  The sums appropriated in sections 4 and 7 shall be expended by the Hawaii public housing authority.

Part Iii

     SECTION 9.  The Hawaii public housing authority shall develop interim rules without regard to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for assisting participants in the housing subsidies for homeless families through the rent supplement program.

     SECTION 10.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.



 

Report Title:

Housing; Homelessness; Appropriation

 

Description:

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to fund construction of affordable housing development projects.  Appropriates moneys for homelessness mitigation and prevention efforts.  Provides for the development of interim rules.  (HB1637 HD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.