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HB 1492

RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Amy Perruso

Hawaii bill HB 1492 proposes affordable housing measures but was deferred by Housing Committee and carried to 2026 without action, delaying potential relief for state's housing crisis.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
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Bill Summary · HB 1492

Legislative bill overview

HB 1492 is an affordable housing measure introduced in Hawaii's House by Representative Amy Perruso. The bill was referred to the Housing (HSG) and Finance (FIN) committees in January 2025 but was deferred by the HSG committee in February and subsequently carried over to the 2026 legislative session without final action.

Why is this important

Hawaii faces a severe affordable housing shortage with some of the nation's highest real estate costs relative to median incomes. Any legislative attempt to address this crisis affects thousands of residents seeking stable, affordable housing and impacts the state's economic development and workforce retention.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanism unclear: Without access to the full bill text, the revenue source for affordable housing initiatives remains unspecified—potentially involving new taxes, bonds, or reallocation of existing funds that different stakeholders will contest
  • Implementation feasibility: Housing solutions require coordination between state agencies, local governments, and private developers; disagreement typically arises over government's role versus market-based approaches
  • Definition and targeting: Disputes often emerge over which income levels qualify as "affordable," which geographic areas receive priority, and whether units serve permanent residents versus vacation/investment properties

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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