STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1976

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 477

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 477, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to facilitate the availability of affordable housing in Hawaii.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Establishes a homeownership housing revolving fund to provide funds for the development of affordable for-sale housing projects by nonprofit community development financial institutions and nonprofit housing development organizations under a self-help housing program; and

(2) Establishes the qualified nonprofit housing trust program to authorize the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to provide loans to qualified nonprofit housing trusts and nonprofit community development financial institutions to develop affordable housing units.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; Aloha United Way; Honolulu Habitat for Humanity; Hawaii Habitat for Humanity Association, Inc.; Habitat for Humanity Hawaii Island, Inc.; Partners in Housing; Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; and Hawaiian Community Assets.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that the State should explore effective programs that will improve affordability and reduce obstacles to home ownership.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 477, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair