Report Title:

Affordable Housing; Buyback Requirement Waiver

 

Description:

Allows HCDCH to waive the three-year buyback requirement for affordable housing until December 31, 2004, when the ten-year buyback requirement is reenacted. (CD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2708

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1


C.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF HAWAII.

 

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

SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to stimulate the development of affordable housing by waiving the housing and community development corporation of Hawaii's three-year buyback provision until December 31, 2004, at which time the buyback returns to ten years.

SECTION 2. Section 201G-127, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§201G-127 Real property; restrictions on transfer; waiver of restrictions. (a) The following restrictions shall apply to the transfer of real property developed and sold under this chapter, whether in fee simple or leasehold:

(1) For a period of three years after the purchase, whether by lease, assignment of lease, deed, or agreement of sale, if the purchaser wishes to transfer title to the real property, the corporation shall have the first option to purchase the real property at a price that shall not exceed the sum of:

(A) The original cost to the purchaser, as defined in rules adopted by the corporation;

(B) The cost of any improvements added by the purchaser, as defined in rules adopted by the corporation; and

(C) Simple interest on the original cost and capital improvements to the purchaser at the rate of one per cent a year.

(2) The corporation may purchase the real property either:

(A) By conveyance free and clear of all mortgages and liens; or

(B) By conveyance subject to existing mortgages and liens.

If the real property is conveyed in the manner provided in subparagraph (A), it shall be conveyed to the corporation only after all mortgages and liens are released. If the real property is conveyed in the manner provided in subparagraph (B), the corporation shall acquire the property subject to any first mortgage created for the purpose of securing the payment of a loan of funds expended solely for the purchase of the real property by the seller; and any mortgage or lien created for any other purpose; provided that the corporation has previously consented to it in writing.

The corporation's interest created by this subsection shall constitute a statutory lien on the real property and shall be superior to any other mortgage or lien except for:

(i) Any first mortgage created for the purpose of securing the payment of a loan of funds expended solely for the purchase of the real property by the seller;

(ii) Any mortgage insured or held by a federal housing agency; and

(iii) Any mortgage or lien created for any other purpose; provided that the corporation has previously consented to it in writing.

The amount paid by the corporation to the seller shall be the difference, if any, between the purchase price determined by paragraph (1)(A) to (C), and the total of the outstanding principal balances of the mortgages and liens assumed by the corporation.

(3) A purchaser may refinance real property developed and sold under this chapter; provided that the purchaser shall not refinance the real property, within three years from the date of purchase, for an amount in excess of the purchase price as determined by paragraph (1)(A) to (C).

(4) After the end of the third year from the date of purchase, or execution of an agreement of sale, the purchaser may sell the real property and sell or assign the property free from any price restrictions; provided that the purchaser shall be required to pay to the corporation the sum of:

(A) The balance of any mortgage note, agreement of sale, or other amount owing to the corporation;

(B) Any subsidy or deferred sales price made by the corporation in the acquisition, development, construction, and sale of the real property, and any other amount expended by the corporation not counted as cost under section 201G-125 but charged to the real property by good accounting practice as determined by the corporation whose books shall be prima facie evidence of the correctness of the costs;

(C) Interest on the subsidy or deferred sales price, if applicable, and any other amount expended at the rate of seven per cent a year computed as to the subsidy or deferred sales price, if applicable, from the date of purchase, or execution of the agreement of sale, and as to any amount expended, from the date of expenditure; provided that the computed interest shall not extend beyond thirty years from the date of purchase, or execution of the agreement of sale, of the real property; and provided further that if any proposed sale or transfer will not generate an amount sufficient to pay the corporation the sum as computed under this paragraph, the corporation shall have the first option to purchase the real property at a price which shall not exceed the sum as computed under paragraphs (1) and (2); and

(D) The corporation's share of appreciation in the real property as determined under rules adopted pursuant to chapter 91 when applicable; and

(5) Notwithstanding any provision above to the contrary, pursuant to rules adopted by the corporation, the subsidy or deferred sales price described in paragraph (4)(B) and any interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (4)(C) may be paid, in part or in full, at any time.

(b) For a period of three years after the purchase,

whether by lease, assignment of lease, deed, or agreement of sale, if the purchaser wishes to transfer title to the real property, and if the corporation does not exercise the option to purchase the real property as provided in subsection (a), then the corporation shall require the purchaser to sell the real property to a "qualified resident" as defined in section 201G-112, and upon the terms that preserve the intent of this section and sections 201G-129 and 201G-130, and in accordance with rules adopted by the corporation.

(c) The corporation may waive the restrictions prescribed in subsection (a) or (b) if:

(1) The purchaser wishes to transfer title to the real property by devise or through the laws of descent to a family member who would otherwise qualify under rules established by the corporation; or

(2) The sale or transfer of the real property would be at a price and upon terms that preserve the intent of this section without the necessity of the State repurchasing the real property; provided that, in this case, the purchaser shall sell the unit or lot and sell or assign the property to a person who is a "qualified resident" as defined in section 201G-112; and provided further that the purchaser shall pay to the corporation its share of appreciation in the unit as determined in rules adopted pursuant to chapter 91 when applicable.

(d) The corporation may release the restrictions prescribed in subsection (a) or (b) if the real property is financed under a federally subsidized mortgage program and the restrictions would jeopardize the federal government's ability to recapture any interest credit subsidies provided to the homeowner.

(e) The restrictions prescribed in this section and sections 201G-129 to 201G-131 shall be automatically extinguished and shall not attach in subsequent transfers of title when a mortgage holder or other party becomes the owner of the real property pursuant to a mortgage foreclosure, foreclosure under power of sale, or a conveyance in lieu of foreclosure after a foreclosure action is commenced; or when a mortgage is assigned to a federal housing agency. Any law to the contrary notwithstanding, a mortgagee under a mortgage covering real property or leasehold interest encumbered by the first option to purchase in favor of the corporation, prior to commencing mortgage foreclosure proceedings, shall notify the corporation in writing of:

(1) Any default of the mortgagor under the mortgage within ninety days after the occurrence of the default; and

(2) Any intention of the mortgagee to foreclose the mortgage under chapter 667;

provided that the mortgagee's failure to provide written notice to the corporation shall not affect the holder's rights under the mortgage. The corporation shall be a party to any foreclosure action, and shall be entitled to all proceeds remaining in excess of all customary and actual costs and expenses of transfer pursuant to default, including liens and encumbrances of record; provided that the person in default shall be entitled to an amount which shall not exceed the sum of amounts determined pursuant to subsection (a)(1)(B) and (C).

(f) The provisions of this section shall be incorporated in any deed, lease, agreement of sale, or any other instrument of conveyance issued by the corporation. In any sale by the corporation of real property for which a subsidy or deferred sales price was made by the corporation, the amount of the subsidy or deferred sales price described in subsection (a)(4)(B), a description of the cost items that constitute the subsidy or deferred sales price, and the conditions of the subsidy or deferred sales price shall be clearly stated at the beginning of the contract document issued by the corporation.

(g) This section need not apply to market-priced units in an economically integrated housing project, except as otherwise determined by the developer of the units; provided that preference shall be given to qualified residents in the initial sale of market-priced units.

(h) The corporation is authorized to waive any of the restrictions set forth in this section in order to comply with or conform to requirements set forth in federal laws or regulations governing mortgage insurance or guarantee programs or requirements set forth by federally chartered secondary mortgage market participants.

(i) Notwithstanding section 201G-130, the corporation is authorized but not required to waive the buyback restrictions set forth in subsections (a) and (b) until December 31, 2004, at which time the authority to waive the buyback restriction is repealed."

SECTION 3. Section 201G-129, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§201G-129 Real property; restrictions on use. (a) Real property purchased under this chapter shall be occupied by the purchaser at all times during the three-year restriction period set forth in section 201G-127, except in hardship circumstances where the inability to reside on the property arises out of unforeseeable job or military transfer, a temporary educational sabbatical, serious illness of the person, or in other hardship circumstances as determined by the corporation on a case-by-case basis.

The corporation may waive the owner-occupancy requirement for a total of not more than three years after the purchase of the dwelling, during which time the dwelling unit may be rented or leased. Waivers may be granted only to qualified residents who have paid resident state income taxes during all years in which they occupied the dwelling, who continue to pay resident state income taxes during the waiver period, and whose inability to reside on the property does not stem from a natural disaster. The owner-occupancy requirement shall be extended by one month for every month or fraction thereof that the owner-occupancy requirement is waived.

The corporation shall adopt rules under chapter 91 to implement the letter and spirit of this subsection and to prescribe necessary terms and conditions. The rules shall include:

(1) Application and approval procedures for the waivers;

(2) Exceptions authorized by this subsection;

(3) The amounts of rents that may be charged by persons allowed to rent or lease a dwelling unit; and

(4) Schedules of fees needed to cover administrative expenses and attorneys' fees.

No qualified resident who fails to reoccupy a dwelling unit after any waiver period shall receive more than the maximum to which the person would be entitled under section 201G-127. Any person who disagrees with the corporation's determination under this section shall be entitled to a contested case proceeding under chapter 91.

(b) From time to time the corporation may submit a verification of owner-occupancy form to the purchaser. Failure to respond to the verification in a timely manner or violation of subsection (a) shall be sufficient reason for the corporation, at its option, to purchase the unit as provided in [subsection] section 201G-127(a)(1), (2), or (4), as applicable.

(c) Any deed, lease, agreement of sale, or other instrument of conveyance issued by the corporation shall expressly contain the restrictions on use prescribed in this section.

(d) The restrictions prescribed in subsection (a) shall terminate and shall not attach in subsequent transfers of title if the corporation releases the restrictions when the real property is financed under a federally subsidized mortgage program.

(e) Subsections (a) to (c) need not apply to market-priced units in an economically integrated housing project, except as otherwise determined by the developer of the units; provided that preference shall be given to qualified residents in the initial sale of market-priced units.

(f) The corporation shall be authorized to waive any of the restrictions set forth in this section in order to comply with or conform to requirements set forth in federal laws or regulations governing mortgage insurance or guarantee programs or requirements set forth by federally chartered secondary mortgage market participants.

(g) Subsection (a) may be waived until December 31, 2004. Notwithstanding section 201G-130, the waiver shall apply to all real property sold and purchased from the effective date of this subsection."

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that on December 31, 2004, the amendments in sections 2 and 3 of this Act shall be repealed and sections 201G-127 and 201G-129, Hawaii Revised Statutes, are reenacted in the form in which they read on the day before the effective date of Act 99, Session Laws of Hawaii 2001.