Housing (Renters)

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1010: RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

Creates a mixed-income rental housing subaccount under the Rental Housing Revolving Fund which shall make loans to mixed-income rental projects or units in a mixed-income rental project. Authorizes the transfer of moneys from the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to the Rental Housing Revolving Fund Mixed-Income Subaccount.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates dedicated funding subaccount for mixed-income rental housing projects, directly advancing affordable housing development through targeted financing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2227: RELATING TO RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

Requires the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to award monthly rent supplement payments on behalf of qualified tenants under the State Rent Supplement Program prioritizing certain tenants, including kupuna. Authorizes the HPHA to enter into memoranda of agreement for rental supplement payments with the counties or specialized nonprofit organizations. Amends provisions relating to the State Rent Supplement Program. Establishes the State Rent Supplement Program Special Fund. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to assess a transaction tax for each applicable recording in the Office of the Assistant Registrar of the Land Court or the Bureau of Conveyances to be deposited into the State Rent Supplement Program Special Fund. Repeals the existing separate State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna. Establishes four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) permanent public housing specialist II positions and one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent public housing specialist IV position within the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates State Rent Supplement Program Special Fund to allocate state appropriations for tenant rental assistance, prioritizing kupuna. Directly funds a public service program through dedicated budgeting.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes State Rent Supplement Program with prioritized funding for kupuna tenants and creates dedicated fund, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2539: RELATING TO RENT STABILIZATION.

Establishes a statewide 3% annual limit on rent increases under chapter 521, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Prohibits rent increases during the first 12 months of a tenancy and requires notice and certification for exempt properties.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingImposes 3% annual rent cap and 12-month freeze, directly protecting tenants from rapid rent increases and advancing housing affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2379: RELATING TO THE CONVEYANCE TAX.

Allocates twenty per cent of conveyance tax revenues to the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. Repeals the annual cap amount on the allocation of conveyance tax revenues to the Rental Housing Revolving Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates conveyance tax revenue to housing funds, strengthening funding for dwelling and rental housing programs via revised allocation rules.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates 20% of conveyance tax to Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund and repeals cap on Rental Housing Fund, directly funding housing development and rental programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Taxes Renters

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 2071: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Clarifies that the dwelling units eligible for the Rent-to-Own Program shall be units that are for sale in fee simple or leasehold on non-ceded state or county land under a lease with an initial term of not less than 99 years. Replaces the five-year period during which the sales price of a rent-to-own dwelling unit shall remain fixed with an option period established by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends fixed sales price period for Rent-to-Own Program from 5 to 10 years, stabilizing affordability and strengthening access to homeownership under housing program.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 699: RELATING TO PET ANIMALS.

Prohibits landlords from charging additional monthly fees for the keeping of a pet animal, except in certain circumstances. Prohibits landlords from charging more than one-third of one month's rent as an additional pet animal security deposit. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits excessive pet fees/deposits, reducing tenant costs and strengthening tenant protections under landlord-tenant law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 3080: RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

Clarifies the Rental Housing Revolving Fund statute by defining "mixed-income rental projects" to establish consistent eligibility and use of appropriations for mixed-income rental housing projects. Clarifies that mixed-income rental projects are primarily for households at or below one-hundred-forty per cent of the area median income, allowing participation by higher-income households. Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to transfer funds between the Rental Housing Revolving Fund into the mixed-income subaccount to support eligible mixed-income projects, without legislative approval. Repeals the sunset date in Act 159, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, thereby making these provisions permanent. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies eligibility for mixed-income projects targeting households ≤140% AMI, ensuring funds support affordable housing development and consistent use of Rental Housing Revolving Fund.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Property Development Renters

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 466: RELATING TO EVICTIONS.

Prohibits landlords from terminating certain tenancies without cause. Establishes criteria under which landlords can undertake a no-fault eviction. Requires landlords, when proceeding with a no-fault eviction, to offer relocation assistance to the tenant or waiver of the final month's rent. Effective 1/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prohibits no-cause evictions and mandates relocation assistance for tenants in no-fault evictions, directly strengthening tenant protections and preventing displacement in housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1214: RELATING TO VACANT HOMES.

Establishes a Vacant Homes Special Fund under the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation for rental assistance programs. Establishes a general excise tax surcharge on an owner that allows a residential real property to remain vacant for 180 days or more a year. Requires persons who own residential real property, but do not live there, to obtain a general excise tax license. Requires the counties to disclose to the Department of Taxation a list of properties classified as not being occupied by an owner of that property. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to calculate average annual rental value for the basis for the surcharge amount.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes general excise tax surcharge on vacant homes to fund rental assistance program, directly increasing tax revenue for public housing services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Vacant Homes Special Fund for rental assistance and imposes tax surcharge on vacant properties to increase housing availability and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Sales Tax Housing Finance Property Development Renters

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 878: RELATING TO KUPUNA HOUSING.

SB 878 extends the expiration date for Hawaii's State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna (elderly residents) from its original deadline to June 30, 2028. This bill directly affects low-income seniors who rely on the program for housing assistance. The key provision is simply extending the program's operational period without altering eligibility, funding, or benefit levels. The change ensures continued support for vulnerable elderly residents without requiring new legislative action.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna (elderly housing assistance) until 2028, maintaining funding and support for low-income seniors without cuts or restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

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