HB 323 Summary

• Establishes a Teacher Housing Assistance Program to provide monthly housing vouchers to eligible full-time teachers employed by the Department of Education at hard-to-staff schools or by charter schools.

• Eligible teachers must have taught in Hawaii public schools for at least one year, commit to teach at a qualifying school for five consecutive years, reside in Hawaii, and have household income below a specified percentage of area median income.

• Housing vouchers may be used for rent, mortgage payments, or down payments on a primary residence, with the maximum voucher amount and renewal terms to be determined by department rules.

• Applications are processed by the Department of Education, with a lottery system used if applications exceed available vouchers; applicants must agree to comply with all applicable laws and indemnify the State.

• Appropriates funds from the Teachers' Housing Revolving Fund for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to support the program.