Report Title:

UH; Student Housing; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii to develop student housing.  (SD1)

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

110

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

RELATING TO HOUSING.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that student housing within the University of Hawaii system is limited and is extremely difficult for students to obtain.  This extremely limited availability forces students into the community to find homes at reasonable rates, placing even greater pressure on the general public's demand for rental housing.  In addition, when students are forced to find housing far from their university campus, transportation is also necessary, often causing an increase in traffic congestion.

     The University of Hawaii has explored a number of approaches to improving student housing, including acquiring existing housing, constructing new housing, renovating and repairing existing housing, and converting facilities not originally intended for housing.  The University of Hawaii has started implementing projects to address its student housing situation, including the redevelopment of Frear hall, conducting feasibility and structural studies for the Johnson and Noelani complexes, the improvement of the food service facilities, and a number of major repair and replacement projects to existing facilities that are scheduled to be completed within the next two years.

     The legislature recognizes and encourages the University of Hawaii's use of a range of potential alternatives to provide additional student housing, including without limitation:

     (1)  Full or partial public funding using general fund moneys or moneys obtained by issuing general obligation or revenue bonds;

     (2)  Federal grants, loans, or other sources or forms of federal assistance;

     (3)  Public-private agreements;

     (4)  Competitive processes, such as requests for proposals, to retain developers or acquire property;

     (5)  Direct lease or rental negotiations with landowners willing to make housing facilities available; and

     (6)  Financing methods authorized under chapter 37D, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     The purpose of this Act is to facilitate the University of Hawaii's efforts to increase the available student housing inventory close to or on university campuses by providing funding specifically for the acquisition, lease, construction, renovation, repair, and conversion of real property, buildings, and supporting infrastructure for student housing.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $            or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 and the sum of $            or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the University of Hawaii to fund the development of on-campus and nearby student housing, which may include acquisition or leasing of property, construction of new housing, renovation and repair of existing housing, and conversion of facilities not originally intended for housing through the use of alternatives that are approved by the board of regents.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.