Bill Text: HI HB1752 | 2022 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Housing.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 27-0)
Status: (Enrolled - Dead) 2022-05-04 - Transmitted to Governor. [HB1752 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2022-HB1752-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1752 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 |
H.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO HOUSING.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
PART I
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Act 215, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019 (Act 215), required the Hawaii public housing authority to adopt rules, without regard to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to establish a program to reimburse landlords who participate in the section 8 housing choice voucher program to cover repair costs of tenant-caused property damage when the repair costs exceed the tenant's security deposit. Act 215 also made an appropriation to the Hawaii public housing authority for that purpose. On February 20, 2020, the Hawaii public housing authority board of directors adopted a set of rules, entitled "Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Landlord Incentive Program Rules", that provide the structure for this program.
The purpose of this part is to provide additional incentives for landlords to participate in the section 8 housing choice voucher program by providing financial protections for those landlords.
SECTION 2. Chapter 356D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§356D- Housing
choice voucher landlord incentive program. (a) The authority shall adopt
rules, without regard to chapter 91, to establish the following incentives for
landlords participating in the tenant-based assistance housing choice voucher
program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
1437f):
(1) The landlord
may be reimbursed up to one month of rent at the contract rate when the dwelling
unit sits vacant:
(A) Between
rentals to tenants participating in the section 8 housing choice voucher
program; or
(B) When
the landlord initially transitions the dwelling unit to a rental
under the section 8 housing choice voucher program; and
(2) The landlord
may receive a signing bonus of up to one month of rent at the contract rate
when the landlord first joins the section 8 housing choice voucher program by
entering into a contract with the authority and securing a tenant participating
in the housing choice voucher program for the dwelling unit; provided that a
landlord receiving the signing bonus shall not also receive reimbursement under
paragraph (1)(B).
(b)
The incentives in subsection (a) shall supplement the incentive offered
under the section 8 housing choice voucher landlord incentive program established
pursuant to Act 215, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, to reimburse landlords who
participate in the section 8 housing choice voucher landlord incentive program
for repair costs of tenant-caused property damage when the repair costs exceed
the tenant's security deposit.
(c)
The following requirements shall apply to the reimbursement of repair
costs:
(1) The landlord
shall submit a claim to the authority within thirty calendar days of the tenant
vacating the dwelling unit;
(2) The authority
may reimburse the landlord up to an amount to be determined by the authority
for verified costs to repair the tenant-caused property damage, subject to
availability of funding; provided that the costs of repair shall exceed the
security deposit; and
(3) Claims that
exceed an amount to be determined by the authority shall include an estimate
from a licensed contractor setting forth the costs to repair the damages caused
by the tenant to the dwelling unit."
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the cost of the incentives established pursuant to section 356D‑ , Hawaii Revised Statutes, and Act 215, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, for landlords who participate in the tenant-based assistance housing choice voucher program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f).
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii public housing authority for the purposes of this part.
PART II
SECTION 4. The legislature finds that the administrative rules applicable to section 8 housing choice voucher program leases found at title 15, chapter 185, subchapter 3, Hawaii Administrative Rules (sections 15-185-41 through 15-185-44, Hawaii Administrative Rules) require dwelling units approved for lease under the program to meet minimum housing quality standards. Prior to approving a lease, the dwelling unit must be inspected within a reasonable time after receipt of the owner's inspection request. In addition, the form of the lease must comply with United States Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations and state and local law, specify utilities and appliances supplied by the owner, and include a federally prescribed tenancy addendum. If the dwelling unit is determined to be suitable for the program and the lease meets specified requirements of the program, the owner and family requesting to lease the dwelling unit must be notified and a contract executed.
The legislature further finds that specifying a maximum number of days within which the required inspection shall be completed will reflect the prioritization of increasing section 8 housing availability and assure landlords and families of a more expedited process. The legislature also finds that creating targeted positions and appropriating funds for those positions are necessary to achieve timely inspections and a better coordinated and more responsive program.
The purpose of this part is to:
(1) Require the Hawaii public housing authority to adopt rules to establish a maximum of fifteen days after receipt of an owner's or landlord's inspection request as a reasonable time within which to inspect a dwelling unit for lease under the section 8 housing choice voucher program; and
(2) Establish positions within the Hawaii public housing authority and appropriate funds to ensure that prospective dwelling unit inspections are completed within fifteen days of receipt of a request for lease approval and to facilitate various aspects of the section 8 housing choice voucher program.
SECTION 5. The authority shall adopt or amend administrative rules, without regard to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to establish a maximum of fifteen days after receipt of an owner's or landlord's inspection request as a reasonable time within which to inspect a dwelling unit for lease under the section 8 housing choice voucher program.
SECTION 6. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $360,500 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the Hawaii public housing authority, to be allocated as follows:
(1) $130,000 for two
full-time equivalent (2.00 FTE) permanent housing quality standards inspector
II positions to facilitate, coordinate, and monitor inspections of dwelling
units that are the subject of applications for the section 8 housing choice voucher program, and handle related duties; and
(2) $230,500 for three full-time equivalent (3.00 FTE) permanent public housing specialist II positions to facilitate, coordinate, and monitor various aspects of the section 8 housing choice voucher program.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii public housing authority for the purposes of this part.
PART III
SECTION 7. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Housing; Housing Choice Voucher Landlord Incentive Program; Public Assistance Recipients; Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program; Landlord Incentives; Hawaii Public Housing Authority; Positions; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes the housing choice voucher landlord incentive program. Requires the Hawaii public housing authority to adopt rules without regard to chapter 91, HRS, to establish specified incentives for landlords who participate in the tenant-based assistance housing choice voucher program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. Requires that the Hawaii public housing authority adopt rules to establish a maximum of fifteen days after receipt of an owner's or landlord's inspection request as a reasonable time within which to inspect a dwelling unit for lease under the section 8 housing choice voucher program. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD2)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
