HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1458

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO HOUSING.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii has the highest per capita rate of homelessness and the highest rate of chronically unsheltered homeless per capita of any state in the nation.  In Hawaii, approximately 6,530 people live on the streets and in shelters.  Addressing homelessness requires a multi-faceted approach that uses interventions targeted to the particular characteristics of the populations being served.  The state rent supplement program for homeless families and individuals is critically necessary to address homelessness.

     The state rent supplement program provides an ongoing subsidy to enable homeless households or those at imminent risk of homelessness to maintain housing and achieve self-sufficiency.  The state rent supplement program provides a "shallow" but sustained subsidy, filling a narrow affordability gap.  This program is unlike the "deep" subsidy Housing Choice Voucher program, better known as the Section 8 program, which helps families at the lowest ends of the income scale bridge a wide affordability gap between income and housing costs.  Because individual state rent subsidies are relatively low, the program can resolve homelessness for a large number of individuals and families relative to the total cost of the subsidy program.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to support the state rent supplement program.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the state rent supplement program established pursuant to part VIII of Chapter 356D, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii public housing authority for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2050.


 


 

Report Title:

Housing; State Rent Supplement Program; Appropriation

 

Description:

Makes an appropriation for the state rent supplement program.  (HB1458 HD1)

 

 

 

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