Report Title:

Appropriation; Homeless

Description:

Appropriates funds for outreach services on Oahu for the homeless.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2070

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR OUTREACH SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that appropriate services need to be provided to individuals and families who are homeless, wherever they may be staying, whether they are in a park, a shelter or on the streets. It has also been discovered that the quicker outreach workers and other types of services are provided to individuals, the less time an individual will remain homeless. Along with housing, food and clothing, proper referrals are essential to assisting individuals and families in moving from the streets into appropriate housing.

The recent terrorist attacks have brought attention to the plight of those who may be heading towards homelessness. Although the welfare of these individuals and families are paramount, the crisis of homelessness is not new to the State of Hawaii. A recent study of the homeless population in the Ala Moana Beach Park area, conducted by outreach workers, found that between ninety and one hundred individuals currently live in or around the park area. Along with welfare reform measures that have put a time limit on welfare benefits, the "old homeless" and the effects of September 11, and the future economy of Hawaii, this population needs help and needs it now.

The purpose of this Act is to provide funding for two outreach workers to provide services including referrals to individuals and families who are homeless.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for fiscal year 2002-2003 for costs related to providing outreach services on the island of Oahu.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the housing and community development corporation of Hawaii.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2002.

INTRODUCED BY:

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