HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H. R. NO. |
255 |
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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H.D. 1 |
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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.
HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY, FIVE YEAR MAXIMUM STAY.