STAND. COM. REP. NO. 35

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 171

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 171 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Human Services for continued implementation of the State's housing first program and expansion of the program outside of Oahu to assist residents who are chronically homeless.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Partners in Care; Family Life Center, Inc.; Catholic Charities Hawaii; Hope Services Hawaii, Inc.; Americans for Democratic Action Hawaii; Hawaii Habitat for Humanity; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Bridging the Gap; Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice; Hoomana Pono, LLC; and six individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness and Department of Human Services.

 

     Your Committees find that the housing first program has proven its success in many states as a way to more effectively address the chronically homeless.  Chronically homeless individuals are often the most visible living in our neighborhoods, doorways, and under bridges.  These persons experience homelessness over a long period of time and incur very significant public costs.  Continuing the housing first program and expanding the program outside of Oahu will ensure that homeless persons across the State receive assistance in gaining permanent housing and services needed to keep them in housing and successfully transition off the streets.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 171 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services and Housing,

 

________________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair

 

________________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair