STAND. COM. REP. NO. 701

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1017

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 1017 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to expand access to zero interest housing loans to promote homeownership.

     The measure accomplishes this purpose by removing the requirement that funds from the Hawaii Habitat for Humanity Association's zero interest revolving fund be used only on land leased from the State and by making technical amendments related to the repeal of chapter 201G, Hawaii Revised Statutes, by Act 180, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Hawaii Habitat for Humanity.  Comments on this measure were submitted by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii Habitat for Humanity provides a valuable service to the people of Hawaii by providing low-income families with safe and affordable self-help houses with zero interest loans.  Hawaii Habitat for Humanity helps many low‑income families achieve the goal of homeownership at a time when affordable housing in the State is out of reach for many families.

     The intent of this measure is to ensure that Hawaii Habitat for Humanity Association's zero-interest revolving fund can continue to assist low-income families achieve homeownership in the State.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1017 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair