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Senate committees back shorter storage period for public housing evictees; HPHA cites unit turnaround and lack of storage
Summary
Senators passed House Bill 1097, HD1, to shorten the time the Hawaii Public Housing Authority must store evicted tenants’ unclean personal effects, with HPHA arguing shorter storage makes units available sooner and avoids ongoing costs, while some senators raised concerns about impacts on people who may become unhoused.
The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, jointly with the Housing Committee, voted to pass House Bill 1097, House Draft 1, which reduces the period the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) must store unclean personal effects of tenants evicted from public housing.
HPHA representatives told the committees that long storage periods keep units idle while wait-listed families await turnover and that HPHA lacks a dedicated storage facility and funding to retain items left behind. In testimony they said much of what is left after eviction is “rubbish” and that prolonged storage creates health and logistical problems. HPHA also emphasized the lengthy administrative process before eviction (including grievance processes) and noted expedited exceptions in cases such as domestic violence.
Senator Fevella questioned whether shortening storage from 30 days to 14 days would push more households into homelessness; the HPHA representative responded that the rental and eviction process for non-violent matters can take many months, and the agency’s primary motivation is to return vacant units to occupancy sooner. When asked about the size of HPHA’s wait list, the agency said it stops open enrollment at about 10,000 applicants, runs a lottery, and keeps roughly 1,500–2,000 families on the active wait list to aim to serve applicants within three to four years; approximately 400–500 units become available each year.
Committee members recorded reservations and asked for more data. One senator said they would support a default 30-day storage period with special conditions that allow moving to 14 days in specific cases. Despite reservations, the committee recorded a majority vote to pass with amendments and the measure was adopted by the committees present.
The hearing transcript records community concern about the potential for displacement and homelessness, and HPHA reiterated operational constraints (limited funding, federally funded properties, lack of storage facilities). The committee asked HPHA to provide updated data on eviction counts and positions filled when follow-up questions were requested.
