Bill Text: HI HB2571 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Bill 2571

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating To Accessible Housing.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-1)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-31 - The committee(s) on HSG recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [HB2571 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-HB2571-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2571
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to accessible housing.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Hawaii Data Book estimates that 294,365 residents in the State were sixty-five years of age or older as of July 1, 2022. The legislature notes that many of these residents choose to live in their own homes, otherwise known as aging in place. However, in order for these residents to age in place safely, independently, and comfortably, accessibility modifications in their homes are often necessary.

The legislature also finds that the State's fair housing laws and the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, as amended, effectively require certain multifamily housing accommodations to be accessible to, and usable by, persons having disabilities. However, the legislature notes that this requirement is limited to certain housing accommodations that were designed and constructed for first occupancy after March 13, 1991. Thus, numerous multifamily housing accommodations in the State are excluded from these accessibility requirements. Many of these excluded multifamily housing accommodations are rented by disabled and elderly residents who may bear the financial burden of installing or constructing any necessary accessibility modifications.

The legislature believes that establishing a grant program to facilitate the installation and construction of accessibility modifications in rental properties that are not otherwise covered by the State's fair housing laws or the federal Fair Housing Act will allow the State's aging population to age in place more safely, independently, and comfortably. The legislature also believes that the department of health is the most appropriate department to implement the grant program due to the placement of the executive office on aging and disability and communications access board within the department.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish the multifamily housing accessibility modifications grant program to facilitate the installation of accessibility modifications in certain properties.

SECTION 2. Chapter 515, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§515- Multifamily housing accessibility modifications grant program. (a) There is established in the department of health a multifamily housing accessibility modifications grant program to assist eligible property owners in meeting the costs of installing or constructing, or both, accessibility modifications in multifamily housing accommodations that are exempt from the requirements of section 515-3(a)(10).

(b) The department of health may award grants to individuals or families having incomes at or below per cent of the median family income, as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, for the purposes of subsection (a).

(d) As used in this section, "accessibility modifications" means a structural change made to existing premises occupied, or to be occupied, by a person having a disability or a person who has attained the age of sixty-two years, in order to afford the person full enjoyment of the premises."

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 need provided for by this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to implement the multifamily housing accessibility modifications grant program.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Department of Health; Multifamily Housing; Accessibility; Modifications; Grant Program; Appropriation; General Fund Expenditure Ceiling Exceeded

Description:

Establishes the multifamily housing accessibility modifications grant program to facilitate the installation of accessibility modifications in certain properties. Appropriates moneys. 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.