Honolulu continues to address its housing challenges through a series of strategic initiatives aimed at increasing affordable housing availability for residents.
Establishment of the Department of Housing and Land Management
In April 2025, Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced the creation of the Department of Housing and Land Management (DHLM). This new department consolidates housing and land functions from various city agencies into a single entity with 51 full-time positions, streamlining efforts to deliver more affordable housing across Oʻahu. Source
Launch of the 2025–2028 Strategic Housing Plan
Building on the establishment of DHLM, the city unveiled its 2025–2028 Strategic Housing Plan. This comprehensive plan focuses on high-density housing around the rail system and neighborhood-scale infill housing in other communities. Key strategies include partnering with developers to maximize public land use and implementing innovative financing to address the diverse housing needs of Honolulu’s residents. Source
Introduction of the Subsidized Housing Explorer
To enhance transparency and accessibility, the City and County of Honolulu, in collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO), launched the Subsidized Housing Explorer in January 2025. This interactive tool consolidates data on government-subsidized housing units across Honolulu County, providing valuable insights for policymakers, stakeholders, and residents. Source
Proposed Vacant Homes Tax
In an effort to increase the availability of affordable housing, Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters is considering a tax on vacant residential properties. The proposed tax aims to encourage homeowners to convert these properties into long-term rentals, thereby expanding the city’s affordable housing inventory. Source
These initiatives reflect Honolulu’s ongoing commitment to addressing the housing crisis and ensuring that residents have access to affordable and sustainable housing options.