Housing Now! Coalition
Home of the Empty Homes Tax
Action needed now!
Following the December 2024 deferral of Bill 46 (2024), the last update related to the Empty Homes Tax (“EHT”) was the info briefing from Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) in April 2025.
In May 2025, two key reports/studies were released: the UHERO 2025 Hawai‘i Housing Factbook and HHFDC’s 2024 Hawai‘i Housing Plan Study (“2024 HHPS”). Each of the updated studies noted Hawai‘i remains in a severe housing crisis. While UHERO noted some positive indicators, the 2024 HHPS warned that, overall, the crisis grows worse.
UHERO noted that “while external factors complicate housing production, decisions at home remain the biggest constraint.” In the context of this growing crisis, we believe government administrations and elected officials must act boldly with new, creative solutions such as Bill 46. Maintaining the status quo will only allow the crisis to grow worse.
The EHT could be one critical piece of a multi-part solution that could help us turn the corner on our housing crisis. Following recent events and the release of the key studies, we have prepared the following fact-based Whitepapers, which we believe all support a YES vote on Bill 46.
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Whitepaper: Reactions to April 29 Info Briefing by EY
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Even with admittedly conservative estimates, the study suggests multiple beneficial outcomes that support an EHT in Honolulu.
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Whitepaper: Realigning Future Real Estate Development Priorities with Resident Needs
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With growing housing shortages (at critical levels for affordable units) and limited construction resources, we must realign priorities to address resident needs.
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Whitepaper: SF Proposition M Court Ruling -- Applicability to Honolulu Bill 46
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The California lower court’s decision should not delay or discourage Honolulu from passing Bill 46 for multiple legal-based reasons.
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In the context of this crisis, we believe this government action isn’t an overreach; it’s a necessity.