UHERO offers ‘uncertainties’ over Council’s proposed empty-homes tax
The University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization offered more insights over the potential ramifications of an implemented empty homes tax on Oʻahu.
Honolulu City Council bill aimed at taxing empty homes advances
The Honolulu City Council Budget committee narrowly advanced a measure that would tax properties left vacant by up to 3 percent.
Honolulu City Council’s empty-homes tax measure advances
The Honolulu City Council’s Budget Committee voted 3–2 to advance Bill 46, which could tax a vacant real property by as much as 3 percent.
Honolulu empty homes tax proposal advances
At 3 percent, annual revenue could be about $180 million, according to a recent estimate from Hawaiʻi Appleseed.
Report backs empty-homes tax to address housing crisis on Oʻahu
To address investment-driven purchases and support affordable housing for working families, Appleseed recommended a 3–5 percent tax, which could generate annual revenue ranging from $183 million to $305 million.
Housing bill not fully developed
For the sake of community buy-in, and because this will impose changes statewide, it’s best to table the bill until counties have more opportunity to consider its value and collaborate with the state on shaping its requirements, argues the Star-Advertiser.
More housing in less space: Bill moving through legislature aims to increase densities in urban areas
The bill has garnered support from a diverse group: all four county planning directors, the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii and AARP of Hawaiʻi.
Hawaiʻi affordable housing demand is sky high, but not at one tower
Several factors may have made the affordable condos—mostly studios and some one- and two-bedroom units—unattractive to prospective buyers meeting requirements under city rules that include not earning much above the median income on Oʻahu.
Vacant homes would be taxed at higher rate under possible city plan
Honolulu officials have been keeping an eye on how Maui has managed the issue.
Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center stresses importance of city’s rent relief program
After just four hours, the city's new rent relief program was suspended because so many people applied. The $114 million in federal money is for back and future rent and utilities.
Oʻahu affordable housing could include $1M homes under state guidelines; critics say that’s ‘out of whack’
Three factors—household income, family size and interest rates—are mainly used to compile annual housing affordability tables.
No rest for the homeless: Bill would ban sitting almost anywhere on Oʻahu
City and state officials say housing is the answer to homelessness. But criminalization can be more politically expedient.
One year later: The effects of Hawaiʻi’s illegal short-term rental ban
Illegal vacation rentals have worsened Hawaiʻi’s affordable housing shortage while contributing to an overrun of high-impact, low-spending visitors.
ACLU calls for homeless sweeps to stop while MPD clears out Kahului camp
More than 70 officials, organizations and individuals released a statement calling for a halt to “sweeps” of the houseless community during the pandemic.
Officials, individuals, organizations calling on city & HPD to stop homeless ‘sweeps’ amid the pandemic
More than 70 officials, organizations and individuals are calling for the Honolulu Police Department and the City & County of Honolulu to stop "sweeps" of the homeless community during the pandemic.
Hawaiʻi legislature prepares to conclude, transparency advocates cry foul
Hawaiʻi’s 2020 legislative session was hallmarked by social distancing measures aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 that may also have disenfranchised the public.
Hawaiʻi weighs measures to curb Airbnb
Sky-high housing prices and limited land make the negative impact of short-term rentals in Hawaiʻi especially acute. Regulatory measures may provide some relief.
Short-term rental regulation advances at Honolulu Hale
On Wednesday, the Honolulu City Council held a public hearing on the latest proposals to rein in Oʻahu’s vacation accommodations, like those rented on Airbnb.
Right moves on vacation rentals
It’s encouraging that the Honolulu City Council Planning Committee put forward a bill that aims to rein in the vacation rental industry’s presence here.
Short-term vacation rentals on Oʻahu could soon be regulated
A 2018 report from Hawaiʻi Appleseed stated more than 80 percent of short term vacation rentals in Hawaiʻi are not owner-occupied.