Editorial: Hope on horizon for more housing
Might this be the year that Hawaiʻi truly moves forward in providing affordable housing to its residents? With as much as $1 billion in overall funding for housing under discussion as the state legislature reaches its home stretch, it’s possible.
This Maui housing project is hugely popular and sorely needed. Will it finally get built?
It’s been nearly 18 years since the developer began planning Waikapu Country Town. With the final bureaucratic hurdles now cleared, a new deal with the county could spur construction.
Proposal for Hawaiʻi to build and sell leasehold condos judged unfeasible
Analysis concluded that a key element in the plan—selling condos with 99-year land leases—isn’t workable despite some parts of the plan holding promise.
Hawaiʻi legislature 2022: smart spending could help big problems
The legislature has money available for almost any policy initiative imaginable, and every member of the house and senate is up for reelection.
Hawaiʻi Budget and Policy Center highlights potential solutions to the housing crisis
A new health and housing research series delves into healthcare for people experiencing homelessness and policy solutions for a more affordable housing market.
Hawaiʻi’s high housing costs could have literally become a health hazard, study finds
The study highlights the need to create housing policies that push for more affordable homes and manage housing prices.
Aloha Friday Conversation: Seizing affordable housing opportunities in Hawaiʻi
This episode of "The Conversation" is packed with discussions about Hawaiʻi's housing and homelessness crisis and policy solutions advocates are working to implement at the state and county level.
Biden’s spending bill could be a ‘game changer’ for housing in Hawaiʻi
The Build Back Better bill that the U.S. Senate is debating has the potential to make a huge dent in Hawaiʻi’s affordable housing needs, according to advocates.
Amid inflation fears, Hawaiʻi business owners and consumers brace for rising prices
Consumer prices nationwide reached their highest levels in a decade last month, potentially impacting local businesses and consumers.
Here’s an affordable housing plan that’s already working
Portland, San Francisco and LA have all upped property taxes to build housing. Hawaiʻi—which has the lowest property taxes in the country—should do the same with its investment properties, starting in Maui.
Hawaiʻi Budget and Policy Center director Beth Giesting’s economic update
The pandemic’s effect on the state economy: Hawaiʻi’s housing crisis, and its role as a social determinant of health; and key takeaways from the state budget.
Biden’s infrastructure deal doesn’t invest in housing for Hawaiʻi
Funding only roads and bridges will not make Hawaiʻi more affordable or keep residents from leaving.
Rental assistance fell victim to politics, bureaucracy
Nationwide, state leaders set aside $2.6 billion to prop up struggling renters, but a year later more than 16 percent hasn’t made it to tenants or landlords.
Hawaiʻi gov intends to veto dozens of bills, likely triggering a special session
Ige signaled he may scrap the legislature’s last tax fairness proposal, which would raise taxes on the sale of luxury property valued over $4 million.
3 factors shift Hawaiʻi’s real estate into overdrive
The pandemic has shifted Hawaiʻi's already expensive house prices into high gear.
Blangiardi offering $10 million in incentives to affordable housing developers
The Honolulu mayor hopes the incentives spur private development of affordable homes.
City Council considers measure that would create a progressive residential property tax
The shift to a more progressive property tax was suggested by the Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency in 2019.
Should I stay or should I go? The lack of affordable housing in Hawaiʻi
The cost of living in Hawaiʻi continues to rise, most notably due to the lack of affordable housing. How do we find a feasible solution?
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.
Practical goals for cash-poor city
Housing initiatives that receive taxpayer subsidies should limit rent prices to below-market rates for the location and preserve affordability for the long-term—preferably in perpetuity.