Victor Geminiani, executive director at the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice, submitted written testimony against both proposals, arguing that they would “further tip the imbalance of justice against tenants” and “add significantly to the number of people who would face immediate homelessness.”

Hawaiʻi has among the highest per capita rate of homelessness in the nation, and a severe shortage of affordable housing.

Levins voiced support for House Bill 223, to regulate the screening and application fees charged to prospective tenants and require landlords to provide a copy of a tenant’s credit report upon request.

He said the state’s landlord-tenant hotline receives many complaints that landlords charge exorbitant application fees that make it hard for people to find and afford housing.