H.B. 868 - Public Housing Summary

• Requires the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to establish trust accounts for tenants renting dwelling units, with the authority providing dollar-for-dollar matching funds based on the difference between tenant rent payments and the minimum rent set at lease inception.

• Mandates that upon voluntary vacancy, tenants receive their accumulated trust account funds plus matching contributions and must spend all moneys on housing-related purchases; authority issues housing choice vouchers to assist with home purchase or mortgage payments.

• Terminates tenancy of all remaining household members upon the death or departure of the last original household member from the initial lease, with exceptions allowing minors added by birth, adoption, or court order to remain until age 21 (or 23 if full-time student).

• Prohibits evicted tenants from receiving matching funds and requires former tenants who reapply for units to repay all previously distributed trust account funds.

• Authorizes issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for repair and maintenance of state low-income housing projects, trust account matching funds, and staffing positions to manage the trust accounts.