HI HB791

Establishes a housing assistance program within the Department of Human Services to provide state grants and rental subsidies to private property owners in counties with populations over 500,000 who set aside, construct, or improve accessory dwelling units and rent them to homeless families or individuals for five-year periods.

Creates a housing assistance program coordinator position (appointed by the director) supported by administrative and clerical staff to implement the program, with duties including tenant and property owner qualification procedures, grant disbursement, and coordination with social services.

Establishes a temporary housing assistance program commission of at least 14 members including state agency directors, county officials, and non-profit representatives to provide oversight and advisory assistance to the coordinator.

Offers property owner incentives including construction/renovation grants (amounts unspecified in bill), monthly rental subsidies (amount unspecified), property tax waivers or reductions, and zoning/building code exemptions; requires property owners who withdraw early to return grants and subjects them to penalties up to three times monthly rental amounts.

Appropriates unspecified general revenue funds for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 and sunsets the program on June 30, 2029 (commission sunsets June 30, 2025 or upon approval of 2,000 accessory dwelling units, whichever is sooner).