Hawaii Housing Laws Promote ADUs, Adaptive Reuse

Over half of Hawaiian households are ‘rent burdened,’ spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing last year.

1 minute read

May 31, 2024, 8:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction

Aerial view of neighborhood in Lanai City, Hawaii.

Residential neighborhood in Lanai City, Hawaii. | youli / Adobe Stock

Hawaii Governor Josh Green signed into law two new bills that aim to protect local residents from displacement and create new housing as costs on the island state continue to rise, writes Audrey McAvoy in an article for the Associated Press.

The laws require counties to permit at least two accessory dwelling units on residential lots and allow for residential development in commercially zoned areas, particularly supporting the adaptive reuse of existing buildings.

According to a report from the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, over half of Hawaii households spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent, and just one in five households can afford the mortgage on a median-priced home in the state.

FULL STORY: Hawaii governor signs housing legislation aimed at helping local residents stay in islands

Tuesday, May 28, 2024 in Associated Press

Housing Land Use Hawaii Housing Costs Housing Supply Adaptive Reuse Accessory Dwelling Units View More

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