The State CAN Take Your Land !

Most people understand that property can be taken to widen a turnpike or build a bridge or sewer. The government (in exchange for “just compensation") can also “take” property (often through an action called condemnation) if they feel there are too many renters and only a few rich property owners. It happened much like that in Hawaii Housing Authority v. Midkiff, 468 U.S. 299 (1984). In the 1960s 47% of the Hawaiian Islands were owned by just 72 private owners. The 1967 Land Reform Act revolutionized property law when it was enacted to permit Hawaii Housing Authority to condemn land and transfer it to the renters. Midkiff sought to have the Act declared unconstitutional and the US Supreme Court held against him. 

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