Bill Text: HI HB2328 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Affordable Housing.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed) 2024-04-22 - Received notice of change in Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 728). [HB2328 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-HB2328-Introduced.html
|
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2328 |
|
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to affordable housing.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The legislature further finds that one way to facilitate the growth of the State's inventory of affordable housing units is to promote the adaptive reuse of existing, underutilized buildings for housing purposes. Adaptive reuse has been successfully employed in many jurisdictions, including New York; Washington, D.C.; and Pittsburgh; to quickly and sustainably repurpose existing structures to serve the evolving needs of communities.
One opportunity to increase the State's stock of affordable housing is through the acquisition of the Bethel Block, which consists of three buildings located between Bethel Street, Pauahi Street, Fort Street, and Chaplain Lane. These buildings include the Ohia Building, also known as the Bethel Building; Blaisdell Building; and Whitlow Building.
The purchase of these three buildings by the Hawaii public housing authority would increase the authority's inventory of affordable housing units at a time when the State needs affordable rental units more than ever. The purchase would also ensure that the housing units remain affordable in perpetuity.
The legislature finds that the State must examine all opportunities to invest in the creation and preservation of affordable housing, especially in urban centers. The legislature further finds that the acquisition of the Ohia Building, Blaisdell Building, and Whitlow Building for affordable housing purposes represents an exceptional opportunity to create a large number of long-term, affordable rental housing units in the heart of Honolulu's urban core.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys to the Hawaii public housing authority to acquire real property, including buildings, structures, and fixtures, located on the Bethel Block for affordable housing purposes.
SECTION 2. (a) The Hawaii public housing authority may acquire parcels located on the block between Bethel Street, Pauahi Street, Fort Street, and Chaplain Lane, including the following parcels identified by tax map key (TMK) number:
(1) TMK (1)2-1-3-8;
(2) TMK (1)2-1-3-9; and
(3) TMK (1)2-1-3-10.
The purchase of the parcels shall include any buildings, structures, and fixtures on those parcels. Following the acquisition, the authority may plan, design, and construct any improvements necessary to use the parcels for affordable housing purposes.
(b) All housing units created or preserved on the parcels purchased pursuant to subsection (a) shall be offered for rent at rates that are affordable to households having an income that does not exceed per cent of the area median income as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; provided that the project shall target households having an income that does not exceed sixty per cent of the area median income. The affordability restrictions shall apply in perpetuity.
(c) Notwithstanding section 103D-302(h), Hawaii Revised Statutes, or any other law to the contrary, contracts awarded pursuant to this Act shall be exempt from any law requiring a contract to be awarded to the lowest bidder.
SECTION 3. In accordance with section 9 of article VII, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ , or per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that the appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest and to meet the needs provided for by this Act.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $30,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the Hawaii public housing authority to:
(1) Acquire the parcels identified in section 2 of this Act; and
(2) Plan, design, and construct any improvements necessary to use the parcels for affordable housing purposes.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii public housing authority for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
|
INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
|
|
|
Report Title:
Affordable Housing; Long-Term Rental Units; Bethel Street; Acquisition; Appropriation; General Fund Expenditure Ceiling Exceeded
Description:
Appropriates moneys to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to acquire and renovate parcels and buildings located between Bethel Street, Pauahi Street, Fort Street, and Chaplain Lane for affordable housing purposes. Requires units to be affordable to households having an income that does not exceed an unspecified percentage of the area median income, as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, in perpetuity. Exempts contracts from low-bid requirements. Declares that the appropriation exceeds the state general fund expenditure ceiling for 2024‑2025.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
