Housing (Homeownership)

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 9, 2026

HB 2270: RELATING TO THE DOWNPAYMENT LOAN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Amends the Downpayment Loan Assistance Program by: removing the prohibition on combined loan-to-value ratios; clarifying the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation's authority to establish interest rates and allow payment waivers and interest forgiveness; authorizing financial institutions, mortgage lenders, and other loan originators to originate downpayment loans; and reducing the borrower's required personal contribution toward the downpayment. Authorizes borrowers to use a portion of a downpayment loan to pay for closing costs, prepaids, and reserves for the purchase of the residential property for which the downpayment loan is provided. (CD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAmends downpayment program to enhance assistance for low/moderate-income first-time homebuyers, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Housing Finance Mortgages

passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 9: URGING THE COUNTIES TO INITIATE A FREEZE ON PRIMARY RESIDENCE PROPERTY TAXES FOR HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER TO CREATE A MORE SECURE FINANCIAL ENVIRONMENT FOR THE IMPACTED POPULATION.

SCR 9 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii counties to freeze property taxes on the primary residences of homeowners aged 75 and older. This would directly assist elderly homeowners, who face financial strain from Hawaii's high cost of living and fixed incomes, by reducing a major recurring expense. The freeze would apply only to primary residences and end if the property is sold, transferred, or the homeowner is no longer the owner. The resolution is addressed to county officials to encourage voluntary action but does not require counties to implement the policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProposes property tax freeze for elderly homeowners, reducing tax burden on fixed-income residents and aligning with tax relief indicators for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingReduces property tax burden for elderly homeowners on primary residences, directly increasing housing affordability for vulnerable seniors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Homeownership Property Taxes Tags Seniors

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1724: RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Makes the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program permanent, with modifications that include changing the method for computation of interest for purchasers of certain real property. Expands the use of proceeds in the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to include purchasing equity in for-sale housing development projects and interim primary or secondary financing. Exempts disbursements from the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund from appropriation and allotment requirements. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill makes affordable housing funding permanent and expands use of proceeds, exempting disbursements from appropriation requirements, which strengthens housing finance programs.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPermanently expands HHFDC's Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to fund equity in for-sale housing development projects, advancing affordable housing through financial mechanisms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Procurement Homeownership Housing Finance Property Development

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signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 2061: RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUMS.

Clarifies the Ninety-Nine Year Leasehold Program by: (1) allowing the Hawaii Community Development Authority to prohibit renting, advertising for rent, or using for any other purpose other than owner-occupied residential use a residential condominium unit, by rule, rather than statutorily; (2) exempting the design, development, and construction contracts from procurement requirements, subject to prevailing wage requirements for laborers and mechanics; (3) requiring HCDA to adopt rules to implement an initial sales period during which residential condominium units are offered only to eligible buyers for owner-occupied residential use; (4) authorizing the sale of a residential condominium unit that is not subject to an income restriction and was not sold within a certain period to be sold to other buyers, as determined by rule by HCDA, without an owner-occupancy requirement; (5) requiring HCDA to adopt rules that require at least sixty per cent of residential condominium units to be income restricted; and (6) requiring HCDA to establish rules to require buyback pricing similar to other state agencies' existing pricing formulas. (CD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates 60% owner-occupied units in redevelopment sites for 10 years, strengthening affordable housing program by preventing rental speculation and ensuring long-term affordability.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill includes prevailing wage requirements for laborers and mechanics, which protects workers' wages and employment standards in construction contracts.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Homeownership Property Development

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HCR 7: URGING THE COUNTIES TO INITIATE A FREEZE ON PRIMARY RESIDENCE PROPERTY TAXES FOR HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER TO CREATE A MORE SECURE FINANCIAL ENVIRONMENT FOR THE IMPACTED POPULATION.

HCR 7 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii counties to implement a property tax freeze on primary residences for homeowners aged 75 and older. It directly affects seniors who own their primary homes, aiming to improve financial stability amid Hawaii's high cost of living (rated 179 in 2024) and stagnant fixed incomes. The resolution specifies the tax freeze would end if the property is sold, transferred, or the homeowner no longer owns it. This is a recommendation to local governments, not a law requiring state action.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUrges property tax freeze for seniors, providing tax relief to vulnerable homeowners with fixed incomes amid high living costs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects senior homeowners' housing stability through property tax freeze, advancing financial security for primary residence owners amid high costs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Homeownership Property Taxes Tags Seniors

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 377: RELATING TO THE CONVEYANCE TAX.

Establishes the Homeless Services Special Fund. Allows counties to apply for matching funds from the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund for certain housing projects. Increases the conveyance tax rates for certain properties. Establishes conveyance tax rates for multifamily residential properties. Establishes new exemptions to the conveyance tax. Allocates collected conveyance taxes to the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund, Homeless Services Special Fund and, and Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. Amends allocations to the Land Conservation Fund and Rental Housing Revolving Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases conveyance tax rates for certain properties to fund Homeless Services and Affordable Homeownership Revolving Funds, directly advancing public service funding through tax allocation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates Homeless Services Special Fund and allocates conveyance tax revenue to Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund and Homeless Services Fund, directly funding housing programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Homeownership Renters

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 2401: RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

HB 2401 authorizes the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to provide loans or grants to eligible individuals seeking to purchase rental properties. This directly affects potential new landlords or investors who may struggle to secure traditional financing for acquiring rental units. The bill's key mechanism allows the fund to offer financial assistance for the purchase of rental housing, rather than solely for repairs or maintenance. As a newly introduced bill (pending committee referral), it has not yet been voted on or enacted.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes loans/grants for purchasing rental properties, increasing housing supply by supporting new investment in rental housing stock.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Landlords Tenant Rights

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1715: RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Authorizes HHFDC to designate certain for-sale units as permanently affordable housing, subject to certain restrictions. Clarifies that certain resale and occupancy restrictions apply only to projects developed prior to a certain date. Amends the definition of "qualified resident" for the purposes of HHFDC housing development programs. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes HHFDC to designate permanently affordable housing units and clarifies restrictions to advance affordable housing development without weakening existing programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2351: RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOMES FOR HAWAII FAMILIES ACT.

Prohibits corporate owners from renting a single-family home to a residential tenant when the owner has a property interest in five or more such properties. Prohibits individual owners from renting a single-family home to a residential tenant when the owner has a property interest in seven or more such properties. Allows for exemptions and enforcement.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRestricts corporate/individual large-scale rentals to increase affordable housing access by limiting portfolio size for owners.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 469: RELATING TO THE CONVEYANCE TAX.

Establishes the Homeless Services Special Fund. Allows counties to apply for matching funds from the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund for certain housing projects. Increases the conveyance tax rates for certain properties. Establishes conveyance tax rates for multifamily residential properties. Establishes new exemptions to the conveyance tax. Allocates collected conveyance taxes to the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund, Homeless Services Special Fund and, and Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. Amends allocations to the Land Conservation Fund and Rental Housing Revolving Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates conveyance tax revenue to Affordable Homeownership and Homeless Services funds, directly funding essential programs through targeted tax increases.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates Homeless Services Special Fund and allocates conveyance taxes to Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund for housing projects, directly funding affordable housing initiatives and homelessness services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Homeownership Property Taxes

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