MEDIA ADVISORY–EMBARGOED UHERO report highlights opportunities to build on Honolulu’s Bill 7 housing

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This UHERO report is embargoed until Monday, November 9 at 12 a.m. HST. Here is a link to the embargoed press copy of the forecast: https://uhero.hawaii.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/AssessingHonolulusBill7HousingProgram.pdf?v=1793922330

UHERO researchers will be available to answer questions at a virtual press conference on November 9 at 10 a.m. HST. Email [email protected] for the Zoom link to participate.

The University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO) will release a new report on November 9, evaluating Honolulu's "Bill 7" affordable rental housing program, which has produced 224 completed units since its adoption in 2019, well below its goal of 500 units annually. Using UHERO's new Housing Policy Simulator, the study finds that Bill 7 substantially improves development feasibility compared with standard zoning, but rising construction costs, higher interest rates, and permitting delays continue to constrain housing production. The report identifies opportunities to improve the program through increased development density, faster permitting, and more effective financial incentives.