Senate committees pass HB 1777 HD2, create tenant protection working group and request $75,000

Senate joint committees on housing, health and human services, and energy voted on March 19 to pass HB 1777 HD2 with amendments that add the contents of a senate companion measure, rename the advisory body as the Tenant Protection Working Group, and request a $75,000 appropriation for the group’s expenses.

Committee leaders said the working group will address tenant-protection issues statewide, including a proactive plan to protect tenants of about 14,000 temporarily affordable units and to minimize displacement when redevelopment occurs. The committee report will insert the companion language from SB 2957 SD1 and rename the working group accordingly.

Kamaile Pulole Metro of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs testified in support, urging mandatory tenant safeguards when public subsidies are used. “When public resources are used to support housing development, tenant protection should not be an option,” she said, and stressed the disproportionate impact of displacement on Native Hawaiian families.

Tricia Kajimura of Parents And Children Together (PACT) described relocation problems experienced by public-housing residents during prior redevelopment and told the committees HB 1777 can improve outcomes.

After discussion the housing and health committees adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the bill with amendments; the housing committee recorded aye votes and the health and human services committee concurred. The committee report will also note concerns that creating two classes of tenants (publicly subsidized projects versus private redevelopment) could have uneven benefits and will record the mortgage-banker and other stakeholder perspectives that were raised in testimony.

The committees asked the working group to develop safeguards to minimize displacement, maximize the efficient use of public funds and public lands, and establish tracking and enforcement procedures for developer noncompliance. Committees also requested $75,000 to support the working group’s activities.