S.B. 2504 Summary

• Establishes housing choice voucher landlord incentive program providing reimbursement for up to one month of rent when dwelling units sit vacant between tenants or during initial transition to the Section 8 program.

• Offers landlords a signing bonus of up to one month of rent at contract rate when first joining the Section 8 housing choice voucher program and securing a participating tenant.

• Supplements existing tenant-caused property damage reimbursement program by allowing reimbursement for repair costs exceeding security deposits, with claims requiring submission within 30 days of tenant vacancy.

• Requires Hawaii Public Housing Authority to adopt rules establishing a maximum 15-day inspection timeframe after receipt of landlord inspection requests for dwelling units under Section 8 program.

• Appropriates funds for two full-time housing quality standards inspector II positions (2.00 FTE) and three full-time public housing specialist II positions (3.00 FTE) to coordinate inspections and facilitate Section 8 program administration.