Passed & Signed Into Law!
HB 1409 - "More Homes Near Transit" - was passed and signed into law on June 3, 2025
Why Hawaiʻi YIMBY Support This Bill:
A reality of increasing our supply of homes is that we will need to build more dense home types. This would involve a combined approach of building 'up' and building 'in', especially in areas that are rich in transit and are more walkable communities. Counties have already identified many of these Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) districts, and will continue to improve these areas as they evolve. Rightfully so, counties should be incentivized and rewarded with funding when they make changes that allow for more homes near transit.
This bill seeks to incentivize counties to allow transit supportive densities, meaning allowing an amount of homes that would equal the transit capacity for that area. This will target more dense housing types into our TOD districts, where much of our needed housing can and should go.
In this bill, counties that allow transit supportive densities in their TOD districts, will unlock a dedicated percentage of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund (RHRF).
Bill Description:
- Establishes the Mixed-Income Subaccount within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund, and sunsets the Subaccount on 6/30/2030.
- Requires the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement District Board to consider the infrastructure needs of transit-supportive density requirements.
- Requires the strategic plan developed by the Hawaiʻi Interagency Council for Transit-Oriented Development to delineate transit-oriented development areas for each county. (CD1)