Housing

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2070: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to designate certain for-sale housing units as permanently affordable. Requires the HHFDC to adopt rules to implement the Housing for Locals Forever Program. Repeals certain requirements defining a qualified resident. Removes restrictions applicable to the transfer of certain real property developed and sold under chapter 201H, HRS. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes permanently affordable for-sale housing program via HHFDC, repealing restrictions to increase affordable housing options.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 3176: RELATING TO HOUSING.

SB 3176 appropriates state funds to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) specifically for rehabilitating, remodeling, renovating, and repairing existing public housing units. The bill directly affects HPHA and the residents living in these publicly managed housing properties by enabling physical upgrades to their homes. Key provisions include allocating money for structural repairs, modernizing facilities, and improving living conditions within the current public housing stock, without creating new housing units or changing eligibility rules. This is a funding measure focused on maintaining and enhancing existing affordable housing infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funds for public housing rehabilitation, directly funding essential housing services through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates state funds to HPHA for rehabilitating public housing units, directly improving affordable housing conditions and funding existing public housing programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2676: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to approve and certify general excise tax exemptions, including for non-contracting costs, for certain housing development projects developed under county housing incentive programs. Makes conforming amendments. Sunsets 7/1/2031. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes general excise tax exemptions for housing projects, providing direct tax relief to developers under county housing incentive programs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes tax exemptions for housing development projects under county incentive programs, directly advancing affordable housing development through financial incentives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2675: RELATING TO THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT.

Clarifies that a partner or member of a partnership or limited liability company that has been allocated a low-income housing tax credit issued after July 1, 2026, may either further allocate the credit or transfer, sell, or assign all or a portion of the credit to any taxpayer. Extends the sunset date of Act 129, SLH 2016, relating to the low-income housing tax credit, until 12/31/2032. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends low-income housing tax credit program, providing tax relief for affordable housing development and maintaining funding for essential housing services.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends LIHTC program and allows tax credit transfers, directly incentivizing affordable housing development through federal tax credit mechanisms.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2553: RELATING TO THE HOUSING LOAN AND MORTGAGE PROGRAM.

SB 2553 increases the maximum amount of state-funded bonds available for the Hula Mae Multifamily Revenue Program. This change would allow the program to continue financing affordable rental housing projects across the state by raising its funding limit. The bill directly affects affordable housing developers and renters who rely on these state-supported housing options. The program uses revenue bonds to fund new or existing apartment buildings offering below-market rent, and this bill would expand its capacity without creating new requirements. The bill is currently pending review by the Housing Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases funding limit for affordable housing program via state bonds, advancing public service funding without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases funding limit for affordable housing program, enabling continued financing of below-market rent projects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2234: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Clarifies the definition of "qualified nonprofit housing trust" in chapter 201H, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to require qualifying organizations to exclusively serve "qualified residents" as defined in section 201H-32, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies nonprofit housing trust requirements to ensure service to qualified residents, supporting targeted affordable housing programs.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 3285: RELATING TO WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes the Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox Program within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Establishes an advisory council within the Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox Program to advise on environmental and cultural practices within specific developments. Establishes a position. Requires annual reports to the legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/2050 (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes workforce housing program with funding, advisory council, and reporting requirements to advance affordable housing development under HHFDC.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2210: RELATING TO HOUSING DISCRIMINATION.

SB 2210 allows Hawaii's Civil Rights Commission to prosecute housing discrimination based on a tenant's source of income, such as public benefits, housing vouchers, or disability payments. This directly affects landlords and housing providers who may deny housing or impose unfair terms due to how a tenant pays rent. The bill gives the Commission new authority to take legal action in these cases, rather than relying solely on private lawsuits. It aims to address a specific gap in existing anti-discrimination protections by targeting income source as a prohibited factor. The bill passed committee with amendments in February 2026 and is now moving toward final legislative action.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents housing discrimination based on income source (e.g., vouchers), strengthening tenant protections and expanding enforcement authority.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2957: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Tenant Displacement Working Group within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to address tenant displacement and relocation in the State. Requires the Tenant Displacement Working Group to report to the Legislature. Appropriates Funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires developers to provide displaced tenants with right of first offer and replacement payments, strengthening tenant protections and preventing displacement in housing projects.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 3089: RELATING TO THE DOWNPAYMENT LOAN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Amends the Downpayment Loan Assistance Program, administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, to align with federal requirements and enhance assistance for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAmends downpayment program to enhance assistance for low/moderate-income first-time homebuyers, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track