STAND. COM. REP. NO. 212

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1222

 

 

 

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. 1222 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds for the purposes of the rental housing revolving fund established pursuant to section 201H-202, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

 

     (2)  Appropriate funds to the Department of Human Services to support homelessness mitigation and prevention efforts in the State.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Democratic Party of Hawaii, IMUAlliance, and one individual.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness and Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

 

     Your Committees find that there is a serious need to develop affordable rental housing in Hawaii to meet the needs of individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.  Addressing these needs will be a challenge because of the sheer number of units needed to meet demand and the various barriers that can prevent development and preservation of affordable housing.  Additional funding is necessary to ensure that the State has adequate resources to address homelessness and affordable rental housing options.

 

     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. 1222 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