HB 1990 Summary

• Establishes the kauhale program under Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to provide micro housing units and support services to chronically homeless individuals and families or those currently homeless after temporary housing expires.

• Requires the corporation to identify and develop at least 3 kauhale sites on Oahu and 1 site each on Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui islands.

• Exempts kauhale construction from county permitting, zoning, and other requirements under Chapter 46, provided all work conforms to plans stamped by licensed architects and engineers with no deviations from life safety codes.

• Exempts kauhale projects from environmental review (Chapter 343), historic preservation review (Chapter 6E), and land use requirements (Chapter 205), with alternative compliance measures such as phase I environmental assessments and archaeological reports.

• Appropriates unspecified general revenue funds for fiscal year 2022-2023 to establish and administer the program and requires annual legislative reports on program milestones, performance measures, and homelessness impact assessments.