STAND. COM. REP. NO. 628

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1139

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 1139 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require rental housing projects to maintain, in perpetuity, fifty percent of the project's units for rental to certain low-income tenants eligible for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation's Rental Assistance Program.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Partners in Care and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

 

     Your Committee finds that many rental housing projects that were built decades ago are being converted into less affordable units today.  Your Committee believes that the State has a duty to ensure that affordable rental housing is available within its communities.  This measure will help create and maintain an inventory of affordable rental units for low-income individuals who are currently on or are eligible for rental assistance vouchers.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1139 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Housing,

 

 

 

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STANLEY CHANG, Chair