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HCR 182

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY ACCESSIBILITY BARRIERS FOR MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING NOT COVERED BY THE FEDERAL FAIR HOUSING ACT AND GOVERNED BY CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATIONS AND PLANNED COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 13 co-sponsors

A working group would study accessibility barriers in non-federal multi-family housing to aid aging in place and assess funding or policy changes to support modifications.

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 587).
#accessibility #condominiumassociations #dcca #doh #disabilityandcommunicationaccessboard #executiveofficeonaging #hawaiicivilrightscommission #plannedcommunityassociations #study
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Bill Summary · HCR 182

Summary of Bill: HCR 182 (2026) – Hawaii

Purpose and Intent

  • The resolution requests the Department of Health to establish a working group to study accessibility barriers in multi-family housing not covered by the federal Fair Housing Act, specifically housing governed by condominium associations and planned community associations.
  • The overarching goal is to support aging in place for kupuna (elders) and residents with disabilities, reduce personal and public costs associated with displacement or institutional care, and identify practical solutions to accessibility gaps in older multi-family housing.

Key Provisions

Establishment of a Working Group

  • The Department of Health is to form a working group to conduct the study.
  • Chair: The Executive Director of the Disability and Communication Access Board (to serve as chair).
  • Membership (mandatory participants or designees):
    1. Executive Director, Disability and Communication Access Board
    2. Director, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
    3. Director, Executive Office on Aging
    4. Executive Director, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission
    5. President, Hawaii Council of Associations of Apartment Owners
    6. Any other individual recommended by the chair

Study Scope and Topics

The working group must examine:
1. The prevalence and nature of accessibility-related disputes between residents and condominium/planned community associations.
2. How non-Federal Act housing interacts with obligations under:
- Federal Fair Housing Act
- Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 515 (reasonable accommodations and modifications)
3. Whether state law sufficiently clarifies responsibilities of associations for accessibility modifications to common elements.
4. The impact of accessibility barriers on residents’ ability to age in place.
5. Feasibility and potential benefits of a state matching assistance fund or grant program to offset modification costs.
6. Estimated annual state costs under different funding models (e.g., income-based eligibility, cost-sharing ratios, household caps).
7. Potential long-term savings from reducing early institutionalization or displacement of residents with disabilities.

Reporting Timeline

  • The Department of Health must prepare and submit a report of findings and recommendations (including any proposed legislation) to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027.

Procedural/Timeline Highlights

  • Status: Concurrent resolution adopted by the Hawaii Legislature.
  • Referred to appropriate committees (HHS and related committees) for consideration; bill was advanced through standard legislative process with multiple committee reviews and sponsor support.
  • Certified copies of the resolution to relevant state agency heads and the Hawaii Council of Associations of Apartment Owners.

Who Is Affected

  • Residents of multi-family housing (condominiums and planned communities) not covered by the federal Fair Housing Act, particularly seniors and people with disabilities.
  • Condominium and planned community associations and their governing boards.
  • State agencies involved in housing, aging, civil rights, disability access, and consumer affairs (DOH, DCCA, EOAA, HCRC, and related housing groups).

Potential Impacts

  • Policy Insight: Provides a structured examination of accessibility barriers and clarifies the intersection of state and federal accessibility obligations.
  • Financial Considerations: Evaluates demand and cost implications for modification programs, including potential state matching funds or grants.
  • Aging in Place: Aims to identify mechanisms to reduce barriers that lead to displacement or costly institutional care.
  • Data and Legislation: Could inform future legislation or administrative rules to clarify responsibilities of associations and expand access to modifications.

Notes

  • The bill emphasizes data-driven analysis to inform policy decisions, with a strong focus on protecting vulnerable residents while balancing the interests and responsibilities of multi-family housing associations.

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

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