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

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie