SB 1617 Summary

• Authorizes the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to establish a kauhale (village-style affordable housing) program providing individual or shared housing units and support services to homeless individuals and families verified by government agencies or homeless services providers.

• Requires HPHA to identify at least three kauhale sites on Oahu and one site each on Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui islands, with coordination between state/county agencies and private nonprofits for land use and development.

• Exempts kauhale projects from county permitting, zoning, and licensing requirements; chapter 46 county ordinances; environmental impact statement requirements; and land use commission regulations, provided construction meets life safety codes and floodplain regulations.

• Exempts existing low-income rental units, tiny home villages, and kauhale built under the governor's 2015 and 2018 homelessness proclamations from multiple state statutes including civil service, collective bargaining, and public works wage requirements.

• Appropriates unspecified general revenues for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to fund five full-time equivalent positions (development specialist, program administrator, contract specialist, public housing specialist, and secretary) to establish and administer the kauhale program, effective July 1, 2023.