Housing (Housing Finance)

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1312: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1740 HD2 SD2 CD1 (ACT 210).

This bill amends the rules for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to address housing shortages by updating how "qualified residents" are defined and what restrictions apply to affordable housing units. It removes certain financial screening requirements that duplicate standard lender checks and allows deed-restricted units to be rented long-term after an initial occupancy period, rather than requiring perpetual owner-occupancy. The law also limits a qualified resident to owning a majority interest in no more than one dwelling property at a time, requiring the sale of any additional property within two years. These changes aim to reduce administrative burdens, prevent vacant investment holdings, and ensure that affordable housing remains available to local residents without unnecessarily restricting household mobility.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill addresses housing shortages by updating affordable housing rules, removing redundant financial screening, and allowing long-term rentals for deed-restricted units.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1315: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2069 SD2 HD1 CD2 (ACT 213).

This bill extends the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund equity pilot program in Hawaii from June 2028 to June 2031, allowing the state housing finance corporation to continue helping qualified buyers purchase homes at reduced prices. The program specifically targets residents in critical shortage professions like healthcare and education by having the state purchase a share of equity in new homes, which lowers the purchase price for the buyer. Additionally, the law requires that these equity purchases be limited to homes located in transit-oriented development zones, such as areas near major bus routes or transit hubs. By amending existing statutes, the bill ensures that the program's requirements and eligibility rules remain in effect through the extended deadline.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill extends a housing finance program to help qualified buyers purchase homes at reduced prices, directly advancing affordable housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Property Development

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1318: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2544 SD2 HD1 CD1 (ACT 216).

This bill establishes a five-year pilot program called "Hawaii Builds" within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to address the state's shortage of affordable housing for middle-income families. The program allows the corporation to use up to $20 million per year from its revolving fund for predevelopment activities like land acquisition and design, while requiring interagency coordination to speed up project timelines. To qualify, projects must be located on sites with adequate infrastructure, preferably in residential zones, and ensure all units meet specific affordability standards. Additionally, the law mandates that at least one such pilot project be designated in each county to promote statewide participation.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes a pilot program to address affordable housing shortages and funds predevelopment activities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1317: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2385 HD3 SD1 CD1 (ACT 215).

This bill, signed into law as Act 215, shifts the authority to approve general excise tax exemptions for affordable housing projects from individual counties to the state's Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Beginning January 1, 2027, the state agency will certify these tax incentives for developments that utilize county housing programs, aiming to better offset rising construction costs and interest rates. The legislation also grants counties expanded powers to develop, finance, and construct low- and moderate-income housing, including the ability to make loans, guarantee mortgages, and acquire land, while prohibiting counties from issuing state general obligation bonds for such projects. These changes are designed to leverage both state and local resources to address Hawaii's ongoing housing shortage by streamlining the approval process for affordable rental housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill centralizes tax exemption authority to offset rising construction costs, supporting affordable housing funding and fiscal management.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill centralizes tax exemption authority to better offset construction costs and interest rates for affordable housing projects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1307: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1920 HD1 SD2 CD1 (ACT 205).

This message informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed HB1920 into law on July 8, 2026. The bill amends state tax statutes to allow taxpayers to claim a low-income housing tax credit regardless of their eligibility for the federal version of the same credit. It also permits partnerships and limited liability companies to transfer or sell these tax credits to other taxpayers, even if those recipients do not own an interest in the qualifying building. The law takes effect immediately upon approval and includes specific provisions regarding how the credit can be allocated and transferred.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands tax credits for low-income housing and allows transferability, providing tax relief and funding affordable housing.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands low-income housing tax credits and allows their transfer, increasing funding for affordable housing development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 15, 2026

GM 1366: Informing the Legislature that on July 15, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2338 SD1 HD2 CD1 (ACT 263).

This bill, signed into law as Act 263, updates the compensation and employment rules for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and the Hawaii Community Development Authority to help them compete for skilled staff. It raises the salary cap for the executive director of the housing finance corporation to 99% of the governor's pay and creates a new deputy executive director role with a salary cap of 95% of the director's pay. Additionally, the legislation exempts these agencies from certain state approval requirements for hiring and job descriptions, while establishing new conditions for their employment contracts. These changes aim to allow the agencies to offer more competitive salaries and streamline their hiring processes to better address Hawaii's affordable housing needs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens housing agencies by increasing staff compensation to attract skilled workers, ensuring effective management of housing programs.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill raises salary caps for housing agency executives to help compete for skilled staff, directly addressing labor standards and employment competitiveness.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Housing Finance

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 24, 2026

GM 1231: Informing the Legislature that on June 24, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1718 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 130).

This bill grants Hawaii counties the authority to build, finance, and manage low- and moderate-income housing projects in the same way the state's housing finance corporation does. Under the new provisions, counties can acquire land, offer construction loans, guarantee mortgages, provide down payment assistance, and sell or lease completed units. The legislation also requires counties to accept affordable housing credits from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to help meet local housing requirements. While counties gain these expanded powers, they cannot issue state bonds to fund projects, and existing state laws regarding affordable housing obligations remain in effect.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill empowers counties to build, finance, and manage affordable housing projects, directly increasing housing supply and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 151: URGING THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES' HOMELESS PROGRAMS OFFICE, STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS, AND HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO CREATE A HOUSING LADDER PROGRAM TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES GRADUATE INTO UNSUBSIDIZED HOUSING.

This Senate Resolution urges four state housing agencies in Hawaii to develop a housing ladder program designed to help individuals and families move from subsidized housing into non-subsidized, market-rate housing. The proposed program would include services such as financial counseling, workforce training, transitional rental assistance, and partnerships with private housing providers to support upward mobility. As a Senate Resolution, this bill does not create new laws or funding but instead requests that the agencies collaborate to create a plan and report their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill urges agencies to create housing ladder program helping individuals graduate to unsubsidized housing, strengthening housing assistance and upward mobility.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill includes workforce training as part of housing ladder program, which supports employment and worker development75% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homelessness Housing Finance Workforce Development

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HCR 38: DECLARING THE INTENT THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING CREDITS ARE PERPETUAL AND REMAIN VALID UNTIL REDEEMED, AND REQUESTING THE COUNTIES TO RECOGNIZE THESE CREDITS WITHOUT EXPIRATION DATES.

This bill declares that affordable housing credits issued under Hawaii state law are perpetual assets that remain valid until they are used to fulfill housing obligations, rather than having expiration dates. It directly affects counties and developers by requesting that local administrative agreements and policies do not impose time limits or restrictions on these credits beyond what state statutes authorize. The resolution aims to clarify that memoranda of agreement between counties and housing agencies are meant to facilitate credit management, not to diminish their value or transferability. By seeking alignment with existing state law, the bill intends to protect the financial incentives for developers and ensure a stable pipeline for affordable housing construction.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill makes affordable housing credits perpetual, preventing expiration and strengthening housing development incentives.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 63: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO TRANSFER PARCELS THAT MAKE UP THE EAST KAPOLEI TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND URGING THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO PARTNER WITH THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF NON-HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PORTIONS OF THE PROJECT.

This Senate Resolution urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources to transfer several state-owned parcels in the East Kapolei Transit-Oriented Development Project to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation for development. It also asks the Housing Finance Corporation to partner with the Hawaii Community Development Authority to handle non-housing community development and infrastructure work across the project area. The bill does not mandate these actions but recommends them based on the agencies' existing roles and past successful collaborations on similar projects.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill urges transfer of state parcels to housing finance corporation to facilitate affordable housing development in East Kapolei project.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes transit-oriented development and infrastructure improvements in East Kapolei, directly advancing transportation goals through parcel transfers and community development partnerships.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Housing Finance Property Development

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