Grassroot pushes for more housing, tax relief at Honolulu, Maui councils

from Grassroot institute

Grassroot staffers testified this week before the Honolulu and Maui county councils on bills that would facilitate more housing and provide greater property tax relief.

Grassroot policy researcher Jonathan Helton supported a Maui bill that would allow two accessory dwelling units on all residential lots as a way to reduce the county's housing shortage.

On Oahu, Grassroot director of strategic campaigns Ted Kefalas testified in favor of a bill that would give elderly homeowners the option of paying their yearly property taxes in four installments instead of two; one that would limit the amount property value assessments for certain homeowners can increase each year, similar to the 3% assessment caps on owner-occupied properties on Hawaii and Kauai; and one that would icnrease the eligibility threshold for the county's low-income property tax credit from $80,000 to $100,000.

Honolulu County

• >> Bill 43 — "Let seniors pay property taxes quarterly, if not even monthly"
• >> Bill 45 — "Raising tax credit eligibility would help more households"
• >> Bill 49 — "Assessment cap welcome but amendment would improve it"

Maui County

• >> Resolution 24-123 — “Help Maui families by allowing more small homes per lot”