Definitions for affordable housing rules

The following words and phrases, unless the context otherwise requires, are defined as follows: “Affordable housing” means dwelling units which may be rented or purchased at cost levels which can be afforded by persons or families who are within the definition of “qualified households,” as provided herein. “Affordable housing income guidelines” means those household income levels which shall be published annually by the office of housing and community development and as described further herein. “Affordable unit” or “affordable housing unit” means a lot or dwelling unit for sale or lease which serves as the primary residence for the respective buyer or renter and is affordable to qualified households earning no more than the percentages of the median income in the County of Hawai‘i as stated in this chapter. “Agency” shall be the same as is defined under chapter 2, article 13 of this Code, therein referred to as the “housing agency.” “Eligible buyer” means a person who meets eligibility requirements, including income limitations, as established by this chapter or by rule. 11-1 SUPP. 15 (1-2024) “Fifteen mile radius” means the distance from the site in question as measured in a straight line from the boundary of the parcel being rezoned. “Homeownership counselor” means a nonprofit or government entity that provides homeownership readiness education within the County. “Office of housing and community development (OHCD)” means the County entity responsible for the planning, administration and operation of all of the County’s housing programs with the goal of providing for the development of viable communities in Hawai‘i County by providing decent housing, suitable living environments and the expansion of economic opportunities, as provided in chapter 2, article 13 of this Code. “Qualified households” mean an individual or two or more related by blood, state- sanctioned adoption, foster parentage, guardianship, or marriage, occupying a dwelling unit and whose total household income is within the affordable housing income guidelines or who would otherwise qualify in a state or federal affordable housing program. “Qualified resident” means a person who is a full-time resident of the County of Hawaiʻi, consistent with residency as defined in HRS § 235-1 and HRS § 11-13, as demonstrated by evidence satisfactory to the housing administrator. “Qualified returning student” means a person who was a qualified resident immediately prior to leaving the County of Hawaiʻi to attend a university, college, or a trade school and who has not taken affirmative steps to relinquish their resident status within the County. A returning student may use the evidence of residency of a parent or guardian to demonstrate that the student was a qualified resident prior to their temporary departure from the County. “Qualified worker” means a person who earns at least seventy-five percent of their income within a distance specified by the housing administrator of any affordable housing project, as demonstrated by evidence satisfactory to the housing administrator. (1998, ord 98-1, sec 2; am 2005, ord 05-23, sec 2; am 2005, ord 05-111, sec 1; am 2007, ord 07-109, sec 1; am 2011, ord 11-84, sec 1; am 2014, ord 14-8, sec 2; am 2023, ord 23-77, secs 1 and 2.)11-3 Intentionally left blank. SUPP. 15 (1-2024) 11-2 HOUSING This page intentionally left blank. 11-2.1 SUPP. 15 (1-2024)