HWI LEG reported Governor Green signed Emergency proclamation on housing (EP).
Objectives
The EP will speed safe construction of thousands of critically needed, public, low-income, affordable, workforce, and market-rate for-sale and rental units for residents.
Will remove many significant barriers private developers face in building the housing.
Proclamation Highlights
Directs State agencies to prioritize housing review, plans, approval, permit processing.
Additional State resources will be directed to address the affordable housing crisis.
Will establish working group to improve the coordination of State and county agencies.
The EP streamlines development, while ensuring respect for iwi kupuna, environment.
Sep. 2023 HWI LEG Second Emergency Proclamation
On Sep. 15, 2023, HWI LEG reported Governor Green signed second EP re housing.
EP is continuation, added affordable housing to title, excluded area affected by Lahaina wildfires, reinstated Sunshine law for Build Beyond Barriers Working Group meetings.
Also, rescinded exemption for projects larger than 15 acres and less than 100 acres from going before the State Land Use Commission for zoning and other approvals.
Oct. 2023 HWI LEG Affordable Housing Proclamation
On Oct. 24, 2023, HWI LEG Governor Green issued a second proclamation relating to affordable housing to promote speedy, safe construction of housing and infrastructure.
Proclamation included several definitions re housing including affordable housing.
Additionally, principal residence, and owner-occupied, as well as others listed.
Created Build Beyond Barriers Working Group (BBB) to facilitate the review.
Also the development of affordable housing projects in coordinated stakeholder effort.
Primary functions of BBB will be to inventory, track, and coordinate projects.
Also certify projects, review and track all other housing projects to assess workload.
Suspends certain laws including civil service law, public officers and employees, excluded from collective bargaining, exemption from general excise tax, and others.
This proclamation does not affect those areas impacted by the Lahaina wildfires.
Dec. 2023 HWI LEG Third Housing Proclamation
On Dec. 22, 2023, HWI LEG governor issued third proclamation re affordable housing.
Proclamation extended the disaster emergency relief period through Jan. 21, 2024.
Feb. 2024 HWI LEG Fifth Housing Proclamation
On Feb. 20, 2024, HWI LEG governor issued fifth proclamation re affordable housing.
Proclamation extended the disaster emergency relief period through Apr. 20, 2024.
Jun 4. 2024 HWI AG, LEG Court Judgment
On Jun. 4, 2024, HWI AG, HWI LEG reported Second Circuit Court judge issued judgment in favor of governor, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.
In lawsuit that sought to invalidate Governor Green’s emergency proclamation on affordable housing, current proclamation (sixth proclamation) to remain in full effect.
Jun. 18 HWI LEG Seventh Housing Proclamation
On Jun. 18, 2024, HWI LEG issued seventh proclamation related to affordable housing.
Disaster emergency relief period is extended through Aug. 17, 2024.
