STAND. COM. REP. NO.  475-24

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2024

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2328

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2328, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

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

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Appropriate funds to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to acquire and renovate parcels and buildings located between Bethel Street, Pauahi Street, Fort Street, and Chaplain Lane in Honolulu, Oahu, for affordable housing purposes;

 

     (2)  Require units to be affordable to households having an income that does not exceed a certain percentage of the Area Median Income; and

 

     (3)  Require contracts awarded under this measure to be subject to the competitive sealed proposal method under the State's Public Procurement Code.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness; Hawaii Public Housing Authority; and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from four individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Public Housing Authority is committed to promoting adequate and affordable housing, economic opportunity, and a suitable living environment for low-income families and individuals, free from discrimination.  Your Committee further finds that there continues to be a shortage of affordable housing units in Hawaii, particularly in urban Honolulu, where local residents are consistently priced out of homeownership.  This measure would enable the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to acquire existing structures in downtown Honolulu to provide rental housing units that remain affordable in perpetuity.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2328, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2328, H.D. 2.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair