Lawmakers and officials toured state and federal public housing projects yesterday, collecting information they can use next session to respond to the state's shortage of affordable housing.

They walked through the aging units at Puahala Homes and Kuhio Park Terrace in Kalihi and newer projects at Kamakee Vista in Kaka'ako and Wilder Vista near Punahou. They also visited Palolo Valley Homes, an old public housing project that has been converted to private ownership.

Affordable housing was a priority for both the Lingle administration and the Legislature last session, when lawmakers approved an increase in the conveyance tax on high-end property sales partly to help the Rental Housing Trust Fund. The state wants to expand housing opportunities for people increasingly priced out of the real-estate market and to integrate affordable housing into projects with market rates.

"We recognize that much more needs to be done," said Sen. Ron Menor, D-17th (Mililani, Waipi'o), chairman of the Senate Consumer Protection and Housing Committee. "But what it comes down to is resources."

Lawmakers will likely study whether to increase rental subsidies and to eliminate some of the federal guidelines they have applied to state projects, which could make it easier to evict problem tenants. The lawmakers also plan to visit housing projects on the Neighbor Islands.

The tour showed contrasts between older and newer projects and the kind of conditions low-income people can encounter. "I think what we're seeing is a confirmation of the reality," said Rep. Michael Kahikina, D-44th (Nanakuli, Honokai Hale), chairman of the House Housing Committee.

Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland, D-13th (Kalihi, Nu'uanu), chairwoman of the Senate Human Services Committee, said she wants to encourage nonprofits and the private sector, to get involved. In talks with different communities, she said, one hears "more and more local people are unable to live here."

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.