HI HB829

Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to make grants-in-aid to counties for contracting with third parties to review and certify county permit applications for affordable housing projects near transit-oriented development.

Limits grants-in-aid to a maximum of $10,000 per affordable housing unit, requiring projects to have at least 30 units with at least half dedicated as affordable housing.

Prioritizes grants for projects reserving at least 50% of units for households earning at or below 80% of median family income, and those offering units to households dislocated by redevelopment or natural disasters.

Appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2015-2016 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2016-2017 to facilitate expedited permit processing for affordable housing in transit-oriented development areas.

Defines transit-oriented development as residential or mixed-use projects designed to maximize public transportation access, and expands the definition of "development" to include undertakings that facilitate transit-oriented affordable housing development.