STAND. COM. REP. NO.  37-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1929

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 1929 entitled:

 

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

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure to:

 

     (1)  Extend the deadline for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to exercise its power of eminent domain to acquire the Front Street Apartments affordable housing project on Maui, unless the ground lease is renegotiated or a new ground lease issued; and

 

     (2)  Extend the deadline to obtain land use approval for the Lealii affordable housing project on Maui.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Front Street Affordable Housing Partners, and two individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that there is a severe shortage of affordable rental housing in the county of Maui, particularly in the western part of the island.  The deadline extensions proposed by this measure will ensure Maui residents continue to have affordable housing options available.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2025, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  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 Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1929, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1929, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Housing,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

TOM BROWER, Chair