HI HB1826

Establishes a long-term rental assistance pilot program for kupuna (seniors) administered by the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to serve individuals age 62 or older who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness.

Requires participants to pay no more than 50% of their net income for rent and provides housing counseling, landlord assistance, and mental health service coordination.

Exempts the Hawaii Public Housing Authority from procurement requirements (Chapter 103D) when selecting a non-profit organization to administer the program and authorizes the authority to establish qualification standards without going through standard rulemaking procedures.

Appropriates an unspecified amount from general revenues for fiscal year 2022-2023, including funding for two temporary full-time public housing specialist positions.

Requires the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to submit reports to the legislature one month before the 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 regular sessions and terminates the pilot program on June 30, 2025.