A bill that allows higher density in certain Honolulu neighborhoods could reduce the cost of development and create more affordable housing units.

A recently passed density bill could yield hundreds of new affordable housing units in Honolulu, reports Noelle Fujii-Oride in Hawaii Business Magazine. "As of Jan. 10, 2022, 17 applications for building permits and fee waivers under Bill 7 had been submitted, for a total of 467 affordable rental units, according to Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting. Three projects have been fully approved."
The bill, Fujii-Oride writes, "makes the construction of affordable rentals cheaper by allowing developers and landowners to build taller, wider and denser than normally allowed in areas that have apartment, apartment mixed-use and business mixed-use zoning." The bill, which applies to lots of 20,000 square feet or less, does not require off-street parking or loading zones, reducing building costs for developers. "At least 80% of the units in these buildings must be rented to households earning up to 100% of the area median income – about $120,800 for a family of four." Projects that qualify for Bill 7 exemptions also receive waivers on some permitting, property taxes, and wastewater facility fees.
Last year, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi also signed a law creating a $10-million grant program for affordable housing developers. The first project to get underway under Bill 7, 311 Puuhue Place, will include 25 affordable units on the site of an abandoned single-family home. The developers hope the design can serve as a model for future projects and indicate ways to achieve economies of scale in affordable housing development in the city.
FULL STORY: Affordable Walk-up Apartments Are Coming Back, Thanks to Honolulu’s Bill 7

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing
From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

Cool Walkability Planning
Shadeways (covered sidewalks) and pedways (enclosed, climate controlled walkways) can provide comfortable walkability in hot climates. The Cool Walkshed Index can help plan these facilities.

Congestion Pricing Could Be Coming to L.A.
The infamously car-centric city is weighing a proposed congestion pricing pilot program to reduce traffic and encourage public transit use.

Home Insurers Are Fleeing California
Homeowners in the state are finding it increasingly difficult to secure insurance policies thanks to the growing risks of wildfire, drought, and other climate threats.

Los Angeles County Initiates Effort to Advance Equity in Infrastructure
L.A. County Public Works has launched an initiative to center equity in all of its processes, programming, and services as it plans, designs, builds, and maintains modern infrastructure that uplifts all communities of the county.

Addressing the Noise Impacts of Pickleball
Pickleball may be America's fastest growing sport, but it is not universally loved because of the noise it causes. Learn one expert's ideas for mitigating the noise impacts.
Caltrans
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
City of Orange
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Montrose County
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
City of Lomita
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.