HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

89

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

requesting that the united states navy partner with the state to develop and implement a plan to utilize decommissioned naval ships as shelters for the homeless.

 

 

WHEREAS, the housing market in Hawaii continues to be one of the most expensive in the country for not only homeowners but renters as well; and

WHEREAS, providing decent, safe, and affordable housing for the people of our State appears to be a perpetual problem that seems to defy legislative action; and

WHEREAS, the inability of Hawaii's housing industry to keep pace with the need for affordable housing, especially for the poor, the elderly, and the homeless, has forced even more people onto the streets; and

WHEREAS, due to the acute affordable housing shortage that has forced more people to be homeless, suitable shelters for them have become a paramount concern; and

WHEREAS, unfortunately, many communities shun the placement of homeless facilities in their neighborhoods, leaving would-be providers of homeless shelters searching again and again for facilities that would not adversely impact an existing community; and

WHEREAS, the United States Navy currently possesses a number of decommissioned ships that are anchored at Waipio Point on the island of Oahu; and

WHEREAS, these ships could possibly be utilized as temporary homeless shelters that could provide homeless persons with the transitional shelter they need until they are able to find an affordable dwelling; and

WHEREAS, the ships, due to their inherent isolation, provide a natural security system for homeless persons and their belongings; and

WHEREAS, since these ships are anchored offshore, the surrounding community will be minimally impacted; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, the Senate concurring, that the United States Navy is requested to partner with the State of Hawaii in developing and implementing a plan to utilize decommissioned naval ships to shelter the homeless; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor is requested to report to the Legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2007 Regular Session on the actions taken by the State to implement this Concurrent Resolution in partnership with the United States Navy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Navy Pacific Fleet, the Governor, the Director of Human Services, the Executive Director of the Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii, the Director of Health, and the Attorney General.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Decommissioned U.S. Navy Ships; Use for Homeless