HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H. R. NO.

255

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

H.D. 1

 

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY TO INSTITUTE A FIVE YEAR MAXIMUM STAY FOR PUBLIC HOUSING.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, some government policies designed to assist those in need may inadvertently encourage a lifestyle of poverty that may be perpetuated from generation to generation; and

 

     WHEREAS, families that continue to live in public housing for years and years may not take the necessary steps to break this dependence on government assistance; and

 

     WHEREAS, one way to break this dependency may be to have a policy to limit tenancies in state public housing projects to a cumulative term of five years, except for veterans, elderly tenants, and disabled tenants; and

 

     WHEREAS, although this policy may appear harsh, it is intended to encourage upward mobility for low- to moderate-income families who are dependent on public housing; and

 

WHEREAS, this policy will promote integrity in the state public housing system to prevent "homesteading" and long-term tenancies lasting for more than one generation; and

 

WHEREAS, this policy will also reduce housing fraud for those who take cash jobs and do not report any income; and

 

     WHEREAS, it will also increase the supply of low-income housing to give a fair opportunity to the 14,000 applicants on the waiting list; and

 

     WHEREAS, limiting the tenancies to five years will encourage those in state public housing projects to become self-sufficient within five years; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, that HPHA is urged to adopt a five-year limit on the cumulative term of tenancy in a state public housing project by a tenant, except for a tenant who is elderly, disabled, or a veteran; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that when sufficient funds become available, HPHA is requested to provide tenants in state public housing projects support services to encourage the successful transition from state public housing including employment, financial, and life-skills training; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the current state public housing tenants be adequately advised of the new policy; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Executive Director of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority and the Board members.

Report Title: 

HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY, FIVE YEAR MAXIMUM STAY.