STAND. COM. REP. NO.  182

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 929

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services & Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 929 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to promote the development of affordable housing by establishing the Incentive and Streamlining Grants Program (Program) to assist the counties in streamlining the planning and permitting process.

     The Office of Planning, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Housing Hawaii, and a concerned individual testified in support of this bill.  A concerned individual supported the intent of this measure.  The Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii and Windward Ahupua'a Alliance provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Substituting the term "affordable housing" with "housing affordable to the general workforce";

     (2)  Limiting density and height bonuses to developments in the urban core;

     (3)  Ensuring that environmental laws apply to these developments;

     (4)  Requiring the counties to develop and implement plans, rather than contracting with outside consultants; and

     (5)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 929, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 929, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Housing,

____________________________

MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair