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.
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.
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.
‘Bold’ plan to develop leasehold condos on state land renewed
The biggest drawback identified in the analysis is that using public land for leasehold housing is controversial.
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.
With no signs of housing prices cooling off, advocates push for government aid
Housing advocates want to change how we view housing. Instead of an investment, it should be seen as a necessity.
Tenants at Lahaina Front Street Apartments celebrate federal court win to keep rent affordable until 2051
Tenants of the Lahaina Front Street Apartments low-income housing project welcomed a federal court decision this week that ensures that the project will stay affordable until 2051.
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.
Not politics as usual
To address socioeconomic inequality, Hawaiʻi’s decision-makers need to come up with an effective problem-solving process so stakeholders can come together to achieve concrete solutions.
New state program would give $500 a month for rent
The rent money would be direct deposited into your landlord's account; make sure to sign up for the program if and when the state makes it available.
Aim higher for Hawaiʻi’s minimum wage
Job losses have not been linked to past raises. The EITC has not sufficiently offset poverty levels. Nearly half the population barely gets by.
Is an $868,000 home affordable? Hawaiʻi senators say no
Advocates voiced forceful opposition to a so-called affordable housing bill they say is far from affordable. A committee of lawmakers took their side.
PHOCUSED joins forces with Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center
Together, the organizations will jointly pursue policy changes that benefit Hawai‘i’s most vulnerable populations.
Champion of legal aid to Hawaiʻi’s poor announces retirement
After a 50-year career in public interest law and advocacy, Hawaiʻi Appleseed co-director Victor Geminiani announced on Wednesday that he will retire Aug. 31.
No one knows how many homes are sitting empty despite housing shortage
There’s a big discrepancy between city and federal estimates of vacancy rates.
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.
New Kakaʻako affordable housing rules set
The rules include a 10-year wait period for buyback, while affordable housing advocates had wanted at least 30 years.
Oʻahu residents are likely to see their rent go up
The increase is triggered by the U.S. Department of Housing, which raised the limits for affordable housing. It does mean more people will qualify for it. But it comes at a higher price.
Here’s how vacation rental companies like Airbnb actually affect Hawaiʻi locals
While we do see some economic benefit from spending by tourists who rent these homes, the cost to our economy and residents is often greater.
Caldwell calls for legalization and regulation of transient accommodations
Catherine Cruz talks with Hawaiʻi Appleseed's Madison DeLuca about the growing concern over the loss of affordable housing inventory to vacation rentals.