Governor Josh Green, M.D., today announced that the state Office of Planning and Sustainable Development is applying for a $9.9 million grant with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing program, which is aimed at helping to generate thousands of new affordable homes in Hawaiʻi.

The HUD Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing grant program aims to reduce barriers to affordable housing production by helping local communities address infrastructure challenges and land use and regulatory barriers.

The grant program aligns with Gov. Green’s affordable housing priorities.

The state’s application for the grant is available for viewing online at: https://governor.hawaii.gov/housing/.

According to the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, whose partners include the Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority, the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation and the Governor’s Housing Team, the application will help unlock the production of at least 10,800 new housing units within the next six years. Over time and with additional infrastructure, the proposal aims to unlock up to 30,000 new units.  

According to a news release issued by Gov. Green’s office, specifically, the proposal will: 

• Increase capacity to address eight key barriers in producing affordable accessible housing, including inadequate infrastructure, land use restrictions, zoning, and other regulatory, administrative and legislative barriers; 
• Create new financing mechanisms, including a Statewide Infrastructure Bank, to expand the available funds for infrastructure and housing construction; and 
• Accelerate the strategic deployment of critical infrastructure to unlock at least 10,800 desperately needed housing in each of the four counties.

HUD’s Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing grant awards range from $1 million to $10 million.

As part of its application process, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development will accept public comments from now through Oct. 18, 2023. 

Comments can be emailed to gov.housing.testimony@hawaii.gov  or mailed to:

Housing Team
c/o Office of the Governor
415 S. Beretania Street, Suite 415
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

An in-person and virtual public hearing will be on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. HST at the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation’s meeting room. The address is 677 Queen Street, #300, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, 96813.

To join on your computer or mobile app go to: https://zoom.us/join and enter the meeting ID: 891 7282 6626 and passcode: 849424.

Call in (audio only) participants can dial 1-253-205-0468 and enter the meeting ID: 891 7282 6626 and passcode: 849424.

The grant application is not part of the Emergency Proclamation relating to affordable housing.